The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-12-01
FOR HIS BROTHER.

'sThe governor pafdoned John Bris-
ben, penitentiary convict, to-day. He
was sent up from Bourbon for fifteen
years for forgery, and had ten years to
serve. Our readers are familiar with the
history of this case, and the humane
action of his excellency will be generally
commended. Frankfort tKy.l Yeo-
man.
E read this little paragraph and my
mind went back six years I knew John
Brisben, and I 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 mind SO
wildly must writeslt out. for never be-
fore have met in prose or poetry. in
real life or in romance, a greater hero
! than plain, matter of fact John Brisben.
The Brisbens came of good stock. I
think the great-grandfather of my hero
emigrated to Kentucky when Kenton's 8
station. between the present city OF
Maysville and the historic old town of
Washington, was the principal settle.
ment on the dark and bloody ground" :"
He came from upper Pennsylvania and
located about five miles from the Ohio
river, on Limestone creek. Ho was an
Industrious, strong 1imbed, lion hearted
old fellow, and in o few years his sur
roundings were of the most comfortable
description. One of his sons, Edwin
Brisben, once represented Kentucky in
the federal congress. think he was the
grandfather of John and Joseph Brisben
Their fathers name was Samuel, and he
died when they we're little children, leav-
} ing his widow an excellent blue grass
farm and snug little fortune in stocks,
bonds and mortgages. The widow re-
mained widow until her death. Mrs.
! Samuel Brisben was good woman and
: she idolized her two boys. Like most
twins, the brothers resembled each other
In striking manner, and even intimate
acquaintances could not tell them apart.
, But although the physical resem blance
/ was so strong there was great dissimilar-
, ity IN the dispositions of the twins.
Joseph Brisben was surly and morose,
. sometimes cunning and revengeful. He
| was withal dreamer and an enthusiast;
, man we'll learned in books, 8 brilliant.
frothy talker when he chose to be soci-
able (which was ssldoml, splendid
horseman and mest excellent shot.
John Brisben, on the contrary, was
cheerful and bright, honorable and for
giving. He was man of high moral
principle, intensely practical and meth
) odical, cared little for books, and, al
though he said but little, was splendid
companion. He was poor horseman,
j and don't think he ever shot gun in
his life, and, as for sport, he enjoyed
himself only when hard at work. He
loved his brother, and when they were
I boys together suffered punishment many
times, and uncomplainigly that ''Jodie''
+ might go scot free. His life was, there
fore, one constant sacrifice, but the oh
ject of this loving alteration made but
shabby returns for this unselfish devo
: tion.
They were twenty years old when their
mother died very suddenly. The prop
! erty left to the boys was considerable.
5 The day they were twenty-one years old
the trustees met and made settlement.
s There was the blue grass farm valued at
$50 900, and $1,000 in well-inyested
J securities which could be turned into
4 money. Joseph demanded division.
, "You can take the farm, jack" he
. said. 81 was never cut out for farmer
' Give me $4,000 in money for my
e share"
So this sort of division was made
s John continued on at the homestead
working in his plain, methodical way
j. and slowly adding to his share of the
i money that he could raise out of the
f profits of the farm. Joseph, with his
/. newly acquired wealth. set up an estab
g lishment at the nearest town and began
life of pleasure seeking of the crosses
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 o beggar
= In the meantime Johns $25 600 haC
= doubled itself. One day Joseph came tt
= him with full confession of his pecun
: : iary troubles.
Jack" he said. 1T am not only
. . beggar, but I am heavily in debt. Helt
- - me out like good fellow, and vii
. settle down in sober earnest"
. For an answer John Brisben placed
, his name to an order for the $25, 900 h,
=, had earned so laboriously.
. In less than three years Joseph Bris
g ben's affairs were in the hands of hi
. . creditors, and sheriff's officer close.
II out his business. Again he turned t,
his brother for help and sympathy.
'. Once more john Brisben placed hi
= name to a check payable to the order o
y his brother, and Joseph entered int,
W business again. In two years he was
3, bankrupt.
l. It took all of John Brisben's hoard t
r, pay his brothers debts, but he made n
:, complaint, uttered no reproach. Ell
q said:
h II am glad you are coming back to tn
d farm, Jodie. You need do no work, an
Is We will be very happy together
g So Joseph took up his residence at th
N farm, and, remembering his brother
re words, devoted his time principally t
ot hunting, fishing and riding about th
Is country.
Is In the meantime John Brisben ha
at fallen in love, aud the daughter of
lie neighboring farmer. Compton, by name
ID was his promised wife. Being man {
N strict honor himself, and having fu
le confidence in his brother, he did not ot
in ject when Joseph began to pay his aff
st anced very marked attention.
ut One night Joseph came to him just a
RS the shadows of evening were beginnin
ID to fall. There was triumphant ring
le his voice when he spoke.
~ Jack. old boy" he said, holding OF
st his hand, congratulate me. thin
Of from to day can date the beginning
d a new life. Alice Compton has promise
j. to be my wife. !"
r. They were married, and the man RI
foafo1 t,xy tf,.n hr;1a orl L