, 1883-09-08

For an answer John Brisben placed
bis name to an order for the S25,OOC
he had earned so labOriously.
"Will that he enough, Jodie?" he
asked; "because | have as much more,
which you may have if it is neces-
sary ~
''This will be sufficient, old fellow"
was the reply. 'Tn two years l will
repay you"
He went back to the town, drew
the money, paid his debts, sold some
Of his horses, and discharged several
OF his servants. Twenty thousand
dollars was left out of the loan. This
sum he invested in business, and for
- ...'nee seemed real TO have re-
formed. John was encouraged to say:
"JOdie will come out all right. He
is smarter than l, and in five years
will be worth more money than
could make in a lifetime"
In less than three years Joseph
Brisben's affairs were in the hands of
his creditors, and a sheriff7s officer
closed out his business. Again he
turned to jonn for help and sympa-
thy.
81 own ! have managed a trifle
carelessly," he added by way Of cx-
planatiOn. Experience is a dear
teacher, and the lesson l have learned
shall not forget. II you come to
my assistance now can soon recover
myself"
Once more John Brisben placed his
name to check payable to the order
Of his brother, and Joseph entered
into business. In two years he was
again bankrupt.
81 shall never succeed in business,
jack" he said. "ITclp me out of this
trouble and l will live with you on
the farm. l shall succeed as a
farmer"
1t took all Of John Brisben's hoard
to pay his brothers debts, but he
made no complaint, uttered no rb-
proach. He said: 81 am glad you
are coming hack to the farm, JOdic.
You need do no work, and we will
be very happy together"
SO Joseph took up his residence at
the farm, and remembering his
brothers words devoted his time
principally to hunting, fishing and
riding about the country. In the
meantime John Brisben had fallen
in love, and the daughter Of a neigh
boring farmer, Compton by name,
was his promised wife. Being man
Of strict honor himself and having
full confidence In his brother, he did
not object when Joseph began to pay
his afiianced very marked attentions.
al am glad he likes her" he
thought. 81 am 50 busy on the farm
that have little time for pleasure,
and Alice is so fond Of amusement"
One night Joseph came to him just
as the shadows Of evening were be-
ginning 10 fall. There was a trium-
phant ring in his voice when he spoke.
"Jack, old boy" said he, holding
out his hand, Congratulate me. /
think that from to-day can date the
bcginningo Of a new life. Alice Comp
ton has promised to be my wife"
lie was too much engrossed in his
new happiness to see the effect Of this
announcement as portrayed on Johns
face. lie did not notice how the
strong mans hand trembled in his
own.
as this truce" faltcred John at last
"why, Of course it is. Are you
not glad? We love each other and
shall be very happy"
ave love each other and shall he
very happyw repeated John mechan-
ically, and all the sunshine Of his life
sunk behind the heavy clouds of
despair.
"Yes, JOdic, l am glad, and / wish
you long years Of happiness"
He turned away and staggered,
rather than walked, to his own room.
He did not stir all night. Once a deep,
sobbing groan struggled to his lips.
and the mOOnbcams coming in
through the window fell upon his
face, and surprised two great tears
stealing down his pale cheeks. lie
brushed away this evidence Of weak
ness and sorrow, and when the NOR
row came, no one looking into his
calm, serene eyes would have guessed
how hard was the battle that had
been fought and won in that lonely
chamber.
They were married, and the man
rejected by the bride and supplanted
by the groom, was the first to con-
gratulate the newly married pair. A
vacant house on the farm was fitted
up for their reception, and John Bris-
ben's money paid for the furnishing.
thereafter, JOdie," he said, 1--WE
will divide the profits Of the farm.
don't need much, and you shall have
the larger share"
Ten years passed away, and John
Brisben, an old'man before his time,
still worked from dawn Of day that
his brother might play the gentleman
and keep in comfort the large family
which the years had drawn around
him. It had been necessary to mort
gage the old homestead to raise money
to pay Joseph's gambling debts, for
Of late he had played heavily and
had invariably lost.
One day-it was in the summer Of
1877, forged check was presented
at one Of the hanks Of the shire town,
by Joseph Brisben, and the money
for which itcallpd WAS sunhpsitatinOiv