The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1883-10-06

money, paid his debts, sold some OF his /
horses and discharged several OF his
servants. Twenty thousands dollars
was left out of the loan. He invested
this in business, and for a while seemed
to have really reformed. John was en-
couraged to say:
"Jodie will come out all right. He
is smarter than L, and in five years VIII
be worth more money than l could
make in lifetime"
In less than three years Joseph Bris-
ben's affairs were in the hands of cred
itors, and sheriff's officers closed oHt his
business. Again he turned TO his broth
er for help and sympathy.
81 own that 1 managed tri1e care
lessly, 4" he said by way of explanation.
Experience is dear teacher, and the
lesson have learned l shall never forget.
If you come to my assistance now l 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 again. In two years he was a
bankrupt.
81 shall never succeed in business,
Jack, - he said. "Help me out of this
trouble, and will live with you on the
farm. shall succeed as farmer"
1t took all of John Brisben's hoard
to pay his brether's debts, but he made
no complaint, uttered no reproach. He
said:
81 am glad you are coming back to
the farm, Jodie. You need not do any
work, and we shall be very happy to-
gether." q
So Joseph took up his residence on
the farm, and remembering his broth
er's words, devoted his time principally
to hunting, fishing and riding about the
country.
In the meantime, John Brisben had
fallen in love, end the daughter of a
neighboriug farmer, Compton by name,
was his promised wife. Being a man
Of strict honor himself, and having full
confidence in his brother, he did not
object when Joseph began to pay his
affianced very marked attention.
81 am glad that he likes her." he
thought. 81 am so busy on the farm
that l have little time for pleasure, and
Alice is so fond of amusement"
One night Joseph came to him just a.
the shadows of the evening were begin
: ming to fall. There was triumpan
ring in his voice as he spoke.
Jack, old boy" he said, holding gu
his hand, Congratulate me. l thinl
, that from to-day can date the beginning
of new life. Alice Compton has prom
> ised to be my wife,"
He was too much engrossed with hi
= new happiness to see the effect of thi
a announcement as portrayed on john
4 face he did not notice how the stronI
: mans hand trembled in his own.
i SIS it true, faltered John at last.''
q 'Why, of course it is. Are you no
Il glad We love each other, and shall b
h very happy"
n "We love each other and shall be yer
n happy" repeated John mechanically
!. and all the sunshine of his life sunk be
q hind the heavy clouds of despair. eyes
!. Jodie, am glad, and l wish you Ion
&c years of happiness. .
&C He turned away, and staggered
Al rather than walked to his own room
m He did not stir all night. Once a deel
" sobbing groan struggled to his lip.
Ia and the moonbeams struggling throug
a. the window fell full upon his face, an
n surprised two great tears stealing dow
Il his pale cheeks. He brushed ava
: this evidence of weakness and sorro,
= and when the morrow came, no on
r. looking into his calm, serene, eye
! would have guessed how hard wa
~ the battle that had been fought an
= won in that lonely chamber.
They were married, and the man T,
~ jected by the bride and supplanted /
= the groom was the first to congratulat
:, the newly married pair. A vacal
y house on the farm was fitted up fl
- their reception and John Brisben
:. money paid for their furnishing.
~ Thereafter, Jodie, he said, "v
~ will divide the profits of the farm.
don't need much, and you shall ha,
the larger share"
= Ten years passed away, and job
- Brisben, an old man before his tim
- still worked from dawn to dark thi
" his brother might play the gentlema
and keep in comfort the large FAM
y which the years had drawn arour
", him. 1t had been necessary to NOR
~ gage the old homestead to raise monC
to pay Joseph's gambling debts, f,
of late years he had played heavil
y and had invariably lost.
~ One day-it was in 1S71-a forg,
Z, check was presented at one of IL
~ banks Of the shire town by JOSEF
- Brisben, and the money for viii,
y it called was unhesitatingly paid ov
to him. He was under the influence
ne liquor at the time, and deeply interest,"
n in game of cards for high stake
ny which was in progress. The che,
was for S2500, l think. Before da
ie' light next morning, Joseph Brisb,
Id, had lost every dollar of it. To drov
", his chagrin, he became beastly drum
lie and while in this condition an offic
he arrived and apprehended him (
MS forgery and uttering forged check.
lb- The prisoner was confined in ia