The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-09-24
John Brisben, NObleman.

Colonel George W. symonds, in the Detroit Free
Press says the Governor pardoned John Brisben,
peniteRtiary convict, to-day: He was sent up
from Bourbon for fifteen years for forgery and had
ten years vet to serve. Our readers are familiar
with the history of this case, and the humane ac-
ton Of His Exeellency wiz be generally commend
ed.-Frankfort Ky9 Yeoman.
read this little paragraph and my mind
went back six years / knew John Brisben,
and / also knew his twin brother Joseph
was familiar with the details of the action
that placed John Brisben in felon's cell,
and now when the sad affair is brought back
to my mind so wildly must write it out,
for never before have met, in prose or poe
try, in real life or in romance, greater hero
than plain, matter-of-facJ John Brisben.
The Brisbeps came of good stock. l think
the great-grandfather of my hero emigrated
to Kentucky when Benton's station, between
the present City of Maysvile and the histor-
ical old town of Washington, was the princi-
pal settlement on the clark and bloody
ground" He came from upper Pennsylya-
mia and located about five miles from the
Ohio river on Limestone creek. He was an
industrious, strong-limbed, iron-hearted old
fellow, and in a few years his surroundings
were of the most comfortable description.
One Of his sons, Edwin Brisben, once repre-
sented Kentucky in the Federal Congress. /
think he was the grandfather of John and
and Joseph Brisben. Their fathers name
was Samuel, and he died when they were
little children, leaving his widow an excel
lent blue grass farm and snug little fortune
in stocks, bonds and mortgages. The Wild
ow remained unmarried until her death.
Mrs. Samuel Brisben was a good woman,
and she idolized her twin boys. Like most
twins the boys resembled each other in
striking manner, and even intimate ac-
quaintances could not tell them apart.
But although the physical resemblance was
so strong, there was great dissimilarity in
the disposition of the twins. Joseph Bris-
ben was very surly and morose, sometimes
cunning and revengeful. He was withal a
dreamer and enthusiast; man well learned
in books, brilliant, frothy talker when he
chose to be sociable (which was seldom) a
splendid horseman and most excellent
shot John Brisben, on the contrary. was
cheerful and bright, honorable and for2iv-
ing. He was man of high moral principle,
intensely practical and methodical, cared
little for books, and, although he said but
little, was splendid companion. He was
poor horseman, and don't think he ever
shot gun in his life. He saw nothing of
the poetry of life, and as for sport, he en-
Logged himself only when hard at work. He
loved his brother, and when they were boys
together suffered punishment many times,
and, uncomplainingly that 'Jodie' might go
scot free. His life was therefore constant
sacrifice, but the object of this loving adora-
ton made but shabby returns for this unset
fish devotion.
They were 20 years old when their mother
died very suddenly. Joseph made great
pretence of grief, and was so hysterical at
the grave that he had to be led away.
John, on the.contrary, never demonstra-
tive, took the great affection with his custo-
mary GOODNESS. He said but little and shed
no tears.
= The property left to the boys was consd-
able. The day they were 81 years old the
trustees met and made settlement. There
was the blue grass farm, valued at $4,000,
and 100000 in well invested securities,
which could be turned into money. Joseph
demanded a division.
''You can take the farm, jack" he said.
ST was never cut out for farmer. Give
me $75, 900 in money for my share"
So this sort of division was made. John
continued on at the homestead, working in
his plain, methodical way, and slowly ad-
ding to his share of the money what he
could raise out of the profits of the farm.
Joseph, with his newly acquired wealth, set
up an establishment at the nearest town
and began life of pleasure of the grossest
sort. His brother gave him no advice, for
he knew it was useless. Joseph spent his
money with great prodigality, and before he
knew it he was beggar. In the meantime
Johns $4,000 had doubled ITSELF One day
of his pecuniary troubles.
"Jack,' he said, 81 am not only beggar,
but am heavily in debt. Help me out like
good fellow, and ! will settle down and
begin life in sober earnest With my capac-
ity for business l can soon make money
enough to repay you. / have sown my wild
oats, and with little help can soon recoy.
er all that have squandered so fooishly."
For an answer John Brisben placed his
name to an order for the 5000 he had
earned so laboriously.
'sWill that be enough, Jodiea" he asked,
"because have as much more, which you
can have if it is necessary"
'This will be sufficient, old fellow" was
his reply. Gin two years will pay it back"
He went bank to town, drew his money,
paid his debts, sold some of his horses and
discharged 'several of his servants. Twenty
thousand dollars was left out of the loan.
He invested it in business, and for while
seemed really to have reformed. John was
encouraged thereby.
"Jodie will come out all right. He is
smarter than /, and in five years will be
worth more money than 1 could make in a
lifetime"
In less than three years Joseph Brisben's
affairs were in the hands of his creditors,
and the sheriffs officers closed out his bust
ness. Again he turned to his brother for
help and sympathy.
81 own that managed trife careless
ly," he said by way of explanation. "Expe-
rlence is dear teacher, and the lesson I
have learned / shall never forget. If you
come to my assistance now / can soon re-
cover myself"
Once more John Brisben placed his name
to check payable to the order of his BROTH
er, and Joseph entered into business again.
In two years he was bankrupt.
81 shall never succeed in business, Jack"
he al of nd
| will live with you on the farm. l shall
succeed as farmer"
1t took all of John Brisben's hoard to pay
his brothers debts, but he made no COM
plant, uttered no reproach. He said:
II am glad you are coming back to the
farm, Jodie. You need do no work, and we
will be very happy together"
- Sc Joseph took up his residence at the
farm, and remembering his brother words,
devoted his time principally to hunting,
fishing and rioting about the country. In
the meantime John Brisben had fallen in
love, and the daughter of a neighboring
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
sffianced very marked attention.
Il am glad he likes her," he thought. 81
am so busy on the farm that I 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 beginning to fall.
There was triumphant ring in his voice as
he spoke.
"Jack, old boy" he said, holding out his
hand, Congratulate me. 1 think that from
to-day l can date the beginning of new
life. Alice Compton has promised to be my
wife,
He was too much engrossed with his new
happiness to see the effect of this announce
ment as portrayed on Johns face. He did
not notice how the strong mans hand trem-
bled in his own.
SIS this true?" faltered John at last.
'Why, of course it is. Are you not glad?
We love each other, and shall be very hap
py."
1--WE love each other, and shall be very
happyP' repeated John, mechanically, and
all the sunshine of his life sunk behind the
heavy clouds Of despair. eyes, Jodie, am
glad, and wish you long years of happ:-
ness"
He turned away and staggered, rather
than walked, TO his own room. He did not