, 1876-11-17
How Two Brothers met after Thirty
Years Separation.

AeAFA oepafnN1ous
About thirty years ago two brothers
whose names might have been (but were
mott John and Jacob Smith, left n New
England State to seek their fortunes.
John, the elder, settled in Erie, Penn,
where he gradually thrived and became
wealthy. 1t is reasonable TO suppose
that he followed the proverbiaf policy
OF the good little Sunday school boy,
and that he never voted at a primary
meeting nor went to q State Convention.
Congress or the Pinetientiary-that, in
short, he was worthy and respected
member Of society.
But Jacob was q rolling stone and
he lourneyed TO the far distant land Of
California. There he, too, prospered,
took unto himself a wife and bade> fair
to be a respected and respectable mem
Der OF society. But unfortunately gold
was discovered, and Jacob became the
sanguine posesser of "lead," which
might have proved his everlasting for
tune; that is, Jacob held the title deeds
to wealth beyond the dreams of avarice,
but, lacking a thorough knowledge of
the fact, he sold his wealth-right for o
mess of pottage, namely the small sum
OF S15, 600. Jacob foolishly hung around
the spot after he had made the sale. and
having seen $500, 900 taken out of his
late property in short time, the shock
OF disappointed regret was too much for
him, and he strove to drown his sorrows
ia the flowing bowl. He invested in
the flowing bowl not only his sorrows,
but his spare cash also, and, in few
months, he was merely wreck of
his former self, bankrupt alike in char
acter and money. He drifted along in
a shiftless manner until, makinga stren-
uous effort to reform, he obtained
business opportunity, to start life again
on q new basis, in Burlington, Iowa.
Here again his abilities and expert
ence soon brought him a return of
wealth, which, however, was afterward
dissipated by relapse into drunken
ness. He then drifted back into San
Francisco and began business again on
q large scale. Then he succeeded in build
ing up business which brought him
large returns, and a third time he ac-
quired a fortune, Athird time he fell
a victim to intemperance and lost all
his property within the last year.
Recently he left San Francisco with
the intention of meeting his brother in
Erie, whom he had not seen in thirty
years. He now had an uncomfortable
passion for drink. Vie arrived here in
Omaha, and stopped at one of the ho-
tells; there he left his trunk as security
for his board ,.and became mere drunk
en- vagarant. At length he was arrest
Ell for vagrancy by officer Bryne, and
was allowed to go on condition of leav-
ing town. A fellow-feeiing for the place
led him to skip across to Council Bluffs.
A few days since gentleman about
sixty years of age called upon Officer
Bryne, and said that he was John, the
brother of the wayward Jacob. and that
he was anxious to find the latter. Ac-
cordingly, they crossed into our thriv-
ing neighboring village, and the officer
soon found his man. By a slight ruse
he brought John and Jacob together
without acquainting them Of their re-
lationship. and they actually were to-
gether for some time, quite ignorant
that they were blood kin. The scene
when they were made known to each
other was quite affecting, and many Of
the bystanders we're moved to tears.
The prodigal had pawned his coat,
hat and boots for liquor, and he was q
sad sight for the eyes of a loving
brother after separation of thirty
years. The two left yesterday for Erie,
where John hopes to reclaim Jacob and
make reputable member Of society of
him once NOR, He has the ability and
and the manners to fill any position
with credit, and to shine infhe best So
ciety, but for the resistless craving for
stimulants. Still they both have faith
in his ultimate reformation, and it
is to be hoped their expectations may
be realized.