The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-09-06
"This will be sufficient, old fellow "

Palu Ills deDtS, Solu some OF his horses
and discharged several of his servants.
Twenty thousand dollars was left out of
the loan. He invested this in business
and for while seemed to have reallyrc-
formed. John was encouraged to say:
"Jodie will come out all right. He is
smarter than I, and in five years will be
worth moro money than could make in
n lifetime. - -,,'s-.- ...... O...
Ip iess than three years Joseph Brss
ben's affairs were in the hands of his
creditors, and sherif7s officer closed
out his business. Again he turned TO
his brother for help and sympathy"
"T own that managed n trife care
less]y," he said by way of explanation.
Experience is q dear teacher, and the
lesson have learned shall never for
get. If you come to my assistance now
L can soon recover myself"
Once moro John Brisben placed
Ills namo to check payable to the order
of his brother, and Joseph entered into
business again. In two years he was q
bankrupt.
'fI shall never succeed in business,
Jack" he said. "Help me out of this
trouble and I will live with you on
the farm. I shall stsJceed as
iarmer."
1t took all of John Brisben's hoard tc
pay his brothers debts. but he made no
complaint, uttered no reproach. He
said:
''I am glad YOU aro coming back to
the farm, Jodir. You need do no work.
aud 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 Brsben
had fallen in love, and the daughter of a
ncighboring farmer. Compton, by name.
was his promised wife. Being n man of
strict honor himself and having full con-
tidcnce in his brother, he did not object
when Joseph began to pay his aflianced
very marked attention.
81 am glad ho likes her." he thought
II ain 80 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 beginning
to fall. There was triumphant ring in
his voice when he spoke.
"Jack, old boy" he said, holding out
his hand, congratulate me. think
that from to-day [ can date the begin
ming of n new life. Alice Compton has
promised to be my wife"
iIc was 100 much engrossed with hi>
new happiness to see the effect of this
announcement as portrayed OF John'>
face. He did not notice the strong
mans hand tremble in his own.
"Is this truc?" faltered John at last.
"Why, of course it is. Are you not
glad? We love each other and shall be-
very happy"
"'We love each other, and shall b,
very happy 7" repeated John mechanic
ally, and all the sunshine of his life sa, /
behind the heavy clouds of despair.
"Yes, Jodie, I am glad, and wish you
.ong years of happiness"
He turned away and staggered, rather
than walked, to his own room. He did
not stir all night. Once deep, sobbing
groan struggled to his lips, and the
moonbeams struggling through the win
dow fell full upon his face and surprised
two great tears stealing down his pale
cheeks. He brushed away this evidence
Of weakness and sorrow, and when the
morrow came, no one looking into hiN
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 re-
jccted by tho bride and supplantcd by
the groom was the first to congratulate
the ncwl Unmarried pair. A vacant house
on the farm was fitted up for their rccep
ton and John Brisben's money paid fOr
the furnishing.
"'Hereafter, Jodie," he said, eve will
divide the profits of the farm. [ don't
need much, and you shall have the
larger share"
len years passed away, and John Bris
ben, an old man before his time, still
worked from dawn till dark that his
brother might play the gentleman and
keep in comfort the large family which
the years had drawn round him. 1t had
been necessary to mortgage the old
homestead, to raisemoneyt pay Joscph'S $
gambling debts, for of late years he
had played heavily, and had invariably
lost.
Ono day--it was in the summer OF
1S77-a forged check was presented nt
one of the banks at the shire town, by
Joseph Brisben, and the money for which
Y it called was unhesitatingly paid over to
him. He was under the influence Of
liquor at the time, and deeply interested
il IL gaino of cards for high stakes,
which was in progress. The check was
for 50, 500 think. Before daylight the
next morning Joseph Brisben had lost
every dollar Off TO drown his cha8rir
he became bcastly drunk, and while ii
this condition an officer arrived and ap
pretended him for forgery and uttcrinl
Il forged check. The prisoner was con
fined in jail, and word of his disgrace
was sent to John Brisben. The latte
read the message, and a mist came Owe
his eyes. He groaned audibly, and bu
ior n strong effort of the will he woul,
,avc fallen to the floor, SO weakened wa
lc by the shock.
"She must not know it," he said t.
himself, and he made instant prepara
ions to visit his brother When b.
reached the Jail ne was admitted to th'
cell of the wrctched criminal. Th
brothers remained together for scver,
hours. What pissed during the inter
view will never be known. When Joi.l
Brisben emerged from the Jail he wei,
straight to the magistrate who hat
issued the warrant Cor the app. ehcnsio