The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1880-09-24
MILLS AND BENTON.
BY MARK TWAIN.

These two were distantly related to
each other--seventh cousins, or some-
thing Of that sort. While still babies
they became orphans, and were adopted
by the Brants, a chldless couple, who
quickly grew very fond Of them. The
Brants we're always saying, I" Be pure,
honest, sober, industrious and consider
ate Of others, and success in life is as
sured." The children heard this re-
peated some thousands vf times before
they understood it; they could repeat it
themselves long before they could say
the Lords Prayer it was painted over
the nursery door, and was about the
first thing they learned to read. 1t was
destined to become the answering rule
of Edward Mills life. Sometimes the
Brants changed the wording little, and
said, "Be pure, honest, sober, indus
trious, considerate, and you will never
lack friends"
Baby Mills was a comfort to every
body about him. When he wanted
candy and could not have it he listened
to reason and contented himself with
out it, When Baby Benton wanted
candy he cried for it until he got it.
Baby Mills took care Of his toys; Baby
Benton always destroyed his in very
brief time, and then made himself so in
sistently disagreeable that, in order o
have peace in the house, little Edward
was persuaded to yield up his playthings
to him.
When the children were little older,
George became heavy expense in one
respect he took no care Of his clothes /;
consequently he shone frequently in
new ones, which was not the case with
Eddie. The boys grew apace. Eddie
was an increasing comfort, George an
increasing solicitude. 1t was always
sufficient to say, in answer to Eddie's
petitions, 81 would rather you would
not do it t"-meaning swimming, skating,
picnicking, berrying, circusing, and all
sorts of things which boys delight in.
But no answerwas sufficient for George /;
he had to be humored in his desires, or
he would carry them with'a high hand.
Naturally, no boy got more swimming,
skating, beTying and so forth than he
no boy ever had better time. The
good Brants did not allow the boys to
play out after in summer evenings
] they were sent to bed ut that hour Ed
due honorably remained, but George
usually slipped out Of the window
toward 10, and enjoyed himself till mid.
night. 1t seemed impossible to break
George Of this bad habit, but the Brants
managed it at last by hiring him, with
apples and marbles, to stay in. The
good Brants gave all their time and at
tention to vain endeavors to regulate
George; they said, with grateful tears
IN their eyes, that Eddie needed no eff
forts OF theirs, he was SO good, so con
siderate, and in all ways SO perfect.
By-and-by the boys were big enougl
to work, SO they were apprenticed to
trade. Edward went voluntarily; Georg
was coaxed and bribed. Edward worke'
hard and faithfully, and ceased to be al
expense to the good Brants; the.
praised him, SO did his master bu
George ran away, and it cost Mr.. Bran
both money and trouble to hunt him u
and get him back. By-and-by he ra
away again-more money and NOR
trouble. He ran away third time, an
stole few little things to carry wit
hlm. Trouble and expense for Nj
Brant once more; and, besides, it wa
with the greatest difficulty that he SUI
ceeded in perHuading the master
let the youth go mprosecuted for til
theft.