The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1881-09-14
THE FLORIDA AGRIGUETURTST.

George ran away, and. it cost Mr..
Brant both money and trouble TO
hunt him up and get hin back Bye
and bye he ran, away again-more
money and more trouble. lie ran
away a third time, and stole few
little things to carry with him.
Trouble and expense for MIR. Brant
once more; and besides, it was with
the greatest difficulty that he succeed
ed in persuading the master to let
the youth go unprecedented tor the
theft.
Edward worked steadily along,
agd in time became full partner in
his masters business. George did
not improve; he kept the loving
hearts of his aged Denefactors full OF
trouble and their hands full OF
inventive activities to protect him
from ruin. Edward, as boy, had
interested himself in Sunday schools,
debating societies, penny missionary
affairs, anti>tobacco organizations,
anti profanity associations, and all
such things; as man, he was quiet,
steady and reliable helper in the
church, the temperance societies and in
all movements looking to the aiding
and uplifting OF men. This excited
no remark, attracted. no attention,
for it was his natural bent"
Finally the old people died. The
will testified their loving pride in
Edward, and left their little proper.
ty 10 George-because he needed
it;;"whereas, sowing to a bountltul
Providence, "such was not the case
with Edward. The property was left
to George conditioually; he must buy
out Edwards partner with it, else it
must go to benevolent organization
called the Prisoners Friend Society.
The old people left a letter, in which
they begged their dear son Edward
to take their place and watch over
George, and help and shield him
as they had done.
Edward dutitully acquiesced, and
George became his partner in the
business He was not valuable
partner he had been meddling with
drink before; he soon developed
into constant tippler, now, and his
flesh and eyes showed the fact I'M
pleasantly. Edward had been court.
ing sweet and kindly>spirited girl
for some time. They loved each other
dearly, and. But about this period
George began to haunt her tearfully
and imploringly, and at last she
went crying to Edward, and said her
high and holy duty was plain before
her-she must not let her-she must
not let her own selfish desires inter
fere with it; she must marry poor
George" and "retorm him." 1t would
break her heart, she knew it would
and So on but duty was duty. 30
she married George, and Edwards
heart came very near breaking, as
we'll as her own. However, Edward
recovered, and married another girl
a very excellent one she was, too.
Children came to both families.
Mary did her honest best to reform
her husband, but the contract was
too large. George went on drinking,
and by and by he fell to misusing her
and the little ones sadly. A great
many good people strove with
George-they were always at 1t, IN
fact-but he calmly took such efforts
as his due to their duty, and did not
mend his ways. He added vice,
presently-that Of secret gambling.
He got deeply in debt; he borrowed
money on the firms credit as quietly
as be could, and carried this system
SO tar and so successfully that one
morning the sheriff took possession
OF the establishment, aud the two
cousins found themselves pennlless.
Times were hard, now, and they
rrew WORSE. Edward moved his