Brant both money and trouble to hunt him up and get
him back. By and by he ran away again--more money and more trouble.
He ran away a third time--and stole a few things to carry with him.
Trouble and expense for Mr. Brant once more; and, besides, it was with
the greatest difficulty that he succeeded in persuading the master
to let the youth go unprosecuted for the theft.
Edward worked steadily along, and in time became a full partner
in his master's business. George did not improve; he kept the loving
hearts of his aged benefactors full of trouble, and their hands full
of inventive activities to protect him from ruin. Edward, as a boy,
had interested himself in Sunday-schools, debating societies,
penny missionary affairs, anti-tobacco organizations, anti-profanity
associations, and all such things; as a man, he was a quiet but
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 property to George
--because he "needed it"; whereas, "owing to a bountiful Providence,"
such was not the case with Edward. The property was left to
George conditionally: he must buy out Edward's partner with it;
else it must go to a benevolent organization called the Prisoner's
Friend Society.
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