The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-09-05
FOR HIS BROTHERS SAKE.
The True History Of life of Self-sncrincc.
by COL. GEORGE W. sYMcNDs.

"The Governor pardoncd John Brisbcu,
pcntcntiary convict, to-day lie was sent mp
from Bourbon for fifteen years for forgery,
aud had ten years yet to serve. Our readers
aIe familiar with the history of this case, and
the humane action Of His ENcclloncy will be
generally commended. ~ frankfort (hH)
lGoipdn.
/ read this little paragraph and my
mind went back six years. l kncwJoh"
Brisbcn, and | also knew his twin
brother Joseph. | was familiar with
the details of the action that placed
John Brisben in fclon's cell, and now,
when the sad affair is brought back to
mind so wildly, must write it out for
rcyer before have | met, in prose or
poetry, III real life or i'll romance, II great
er hero than plain, mptter-ol-fact John
BrisbCn.
The Brisbcns came of good stock. !
think the great-grandiather of my hero
emigrated to Kentucky when Kcnton's
Station, between the present city Of
MAY syille and the historic old town OF
Washington, was the principal settlement
on the clark and bloody ground" lie
came from Upper Pennsylvania and To-
Gated about five miles from the Ohio
River, on Limestone creek. He was an
industrious, strong-limbcd, lion-hcarted
old fellow, and in few years his sur
roundings were of the most comfortable
description. One Of his sons, Edwin
Brishcn, once represented Kentucky in
the Federal Congress. | think he was
IN, grandfather Of John and Joseph
Brisben. Their fathers name was Samuel
md he died when they were little chill
dren, leaving his widow an excellent
bluegrass farm and snug little fortune
in stocks, bonds and mortgages. The
widow remained a widow until her DEATH
Mrs. Samuel Brisbcn was Il good woman
aud she idolizcd her twin boys. Like
most twins, the brothers rescmblcd each
other in striking manner, and even in
innate acCuaintnccs could not tell them
apart. But although the physical re-
scmblonco was so strong there was great
lissimilarity in the dispositions Of the
twins. Joseph was surly aud morosc
sometimes cunning and rcvcngeIul. lii
was withal dreamer and an enthusiaS!
A man well learned in books, brilliant
frothy lalker when he chose TO be soci
able (Which was seldom, n splcndl'
horscman, and most excellent shot
John Brisben, on the contrary. Wa
cheerful and bright, honorable and for
living. He was a man of high mora
principle, intensely practical and method
ical, cared little for books, and, although
he said but little, was splendid CON
panion. He was a poor horscman, and
don't think he ever shot a gun IN hisiiie
he saw nothing of the poetry Of life, ar
MS for sport, he enjoyed himself onI
when hard at work. He loved hi
S brother, and when they were boys to
gcthcr suffered punishment many times
=. md uncomplainingly, that "Jodie
might 90 scot free. His life was, there
u fore, one constant sacrifice, but tn
t object of this loving alteration mad
t vut shabby returns for this unselhsh dc
! bottom.
They we're 90 years old when the
= mother died very suddenly. JOSEF
made great pretense of grief, and WI
so historical at the grave that he had
be led away.
John, on the contrary, never dcmo
G strativc, took the great affection WI
n his customary GOODNESS. He said b
+. little and shed 10 tears.
sc The property left to the boys was co
If siderable. The day they were Il yea
A. old the trustees met and made sett
q. ment. There was the blue.gras fin
0. valued at $4,000, and $1,000 in W
,s invested securities which could be turn
IS into money. Joseph demanded a
w vision.
I'd "yor can take the farm, Jack,
n. said. az was never cut out for iafm'
o. Give me 5000 in money for my share
C. So this sort of n division was mac
of Jobn continued on at the bomeste'
OG working in his plain, methodlcal W,
on md slowly adding to his share OF
he money what he could raise out OF
in. profits of the farm. Joseph, WIN
m. newly-acouired wealth, set up an es1i
oh lishment Mt the nearest town ana peg
M n life of pleasure. pleasure OF the etoS:
Of sort His brother gave him no 9dVi
for he knew it was useless ,J osT
$50 spent his money with great prodlgal
1856 md before he knew it he was o neg9
492 Tn the meantime Johns S2o,Ioo 81 ,
2Gl dcubled itself. One day joseph c"
295 70 him with n full confession OF his
AS cuniary troubles. all,
- "Jack," said he, 81 am not OH;
1922 hecror but / am heavily in debt. II u
ied me 90 out like good fellow, ana VIII M,
the tic down and begin life in sober earn
EN-. With my capacity for business J cNn ,'
, ,ea' make money enough to repay you
,es' have sown my wild oats, and WIN u J. !
u .ho help can soon recover all tha'
'he ne souaudered so foolishly. :.
% o. For an answer John Brisben dpn i1
.nu, his name to an order for the S2o'oVo
lo ore had earned so laboriously. :. ~,
ue "Will that be enough, Jodie
VIC asked. "because / have as mucn n
,rb;oh vou can have If it ID necessary