The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-08-18


taya that the Governor pNrdOned John BTtsben,
PeliteniAry convict, to-day, He WHs 90 up tron
Bourbon for fifteen yesu for forgery, and had tei
ibe SstorV ~ IN case aSd lie SumIne sctIoSs
his EIcellenCy Will be generally commended
FTuHttOH lHv.) YoendH.
Tread this little paragraph, and my mint
went back six years. knew John Bris
ben, and also knew his twin brother
Joseph. l was familiar wit the details O
the action that placed John Brisben in {
felon's cell, and now when the sad affair Il
brought back 10 my mind 80 wildly, mus
write ii out, for never before have / met il
prose or poetry, in real life or in romance
q greater hero than plain, matter.oi-laCl
John BrisbeR.
The Brisbens came Of good stock.
think the great grandfather OF my hero EN-
igated to Kentucky when Kenton's Station
between the present city OF Maysville and
the historic old town OF Washington, was
the principal settlement on the Ozark and
bloody ground" He came from Upper
Pennsylvania aud located about FIVE miles
from the Ohio river, on Limestone Greek.
He was an industrious, stong-limbed, IRON
hearted old fellow, aud in few years his
surroundings were Of the most comfortable
description. One OF his sons, Edwin Bris-
ben, once represented Kentucky in the
Federal Congress. think he was the
grandfather Of John and Joseph Brisben.
Their fathers name Twas Samuel, and he
died when they were little children, leay.
ing bis widow an excellent bluegrass farm
and snug little fortune in stocks, bonds
and mortgages. The widow remained uu.
married until her death. Mrs. Samuel
Brisben was good woman, and she idol
lied her twin boys. Like most twins, the
brothers resembled each other In striking
manner, and even intimate acquaintance
could not tell them apart. But al.
though the physical resemblance was
SO strong there was great dlssimilarity
In the disposition OF the twins. Joseph
Brisben was very surly and morose, some
times cunning and revengeiul. He was
withal dreamer and an enthusiast; man
well learned in books, brilliant, irothy
talker when he chose 10 be sociable (Which
was seldom, splendid horseman and a
most excellent shot. John Brisben, on the
contrary, was cheerful and bright, honor
able and forgiving. He was man OF high
moral principle, intensely practical and
cared little for books, and.
although he said but little, was o splendid
companion. He was poor horseman,
and don't believe he ever shot gun in
his life. He saw nothing Of the poetry Of
life, and as for sport, he enjoyed himself
only when hard at work. He loved his
brother, and when they were boys together
suffered punishment many times, and un-
that "Jodie" might 90 scot
free. His life was, therefore, q constant
but the object Of this loving ador.
alton made but shabby returns for this un-
selfish devotion.
They were 20 years old when their
mother died very suddenly. joseph made
a great pretense Of grief, and was SO hys.
terical at the grave that he had to be led
away.
John on the contrary, never demonstra-
tive, took the great atIliction with his cus-
tomary GOODNESS. He said but little and
shed no tears.
The property left to the boys was con.
siderable. The day they were 81 years
old the trustees met and made settlement
There was the blue grass farm, valued at
$780, 900 and 500 600 in well invested Sc
curities, which could be turned into
Joseph demanded division.
.You can take the farm, Jack" he ssid.
| was never cut out for Il farmer. Give
me SO, 900 in money for my share.
So this sort oil q division was made. John
continued on at the homestead, working in
his plain methodical way, and slowly add
ing 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 grosser
sort. His brother gave him no advice, for
he knew 1t was useless. Joseph spent his
money with great prodigality, and before
be knew il he was beggar. In the mean
time Johns $4,000 had doubled itself.
One day Joseph came TO him with full
on his pecuniary troubles.
Jack" he said, ~ am not only beg
gar, but l am heavily 10 debt. Help me
out like a good fellow and l will settle
down and begin life in sober earnest.
With my capacity for business l can soon
make money enough to repay you. have
sown my wild oats, and with little nelp
| can soon recover I'LL that have squan.
dered 20 ioolishly."
For an answer John Brisben placed his
name to an order for the $4,000 he had
earned so laboriously.
"WIll that be enough, Jodie?' he asked,
because l have az much more, which you
can have il it is necessary"
"This will be sufficient, old fellow" was
the reply. SIN two years l will pay it
back"
He went back to town, drew his money,
raid his debts, sold his horses and dis.
charged several OF his servants. Twenty
thousand dollars was LETT out OF the loau.
He invested this in business, and tIr a
while seemed really reformed. John was
encouraged to say:
"Jodle will come out all right. He is
smarter than !, 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 Sheriff. officers closed out bis business.
A am he turned to his brother for SYM
patty.
az own that I managed a trife care.
lessly," be said, by way Of explanation.
"kx perirnce is dear teacher, and the les
son | have learned shall never torgst. II
you come to my assistance now l can soon
recover myself"
Once more John Brisben pllced his
name 10 check payable to the order oil
his brother, and Joseph entered into busi-
meas again. In two years he was bank.
rupt
Jack" he said. "Helpme out OF thia trouble
and / will live with you on the farm.
shall succeed az a iarHer."
It took all OF John Brisben's hoard to pay
his brothers debts, but he made no com
plant, uttered no reproach. he said;
81 am glad you are coming back to the
farm J6dIe. 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 coun.
try. In the meantime, John Brisben had
fallen in love, and the daughter Of neigh
hor;pv Iarmar 0nmnt0n nv name WAS his