The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-07-14
FOR HIS BROTHERS SAKE.
The True History of Life of self-Sac-
rifice.

THE Governor pardoned John Brsben.
pcntentiary convict, to-day. llo was sent u
IRON Bourbon for fifteen years for forgery
and Had ten years yet to serve. our reader
are familiar with the history of this case. an
the humane action of his EXcecncy will b
generally commended. "-Frankfort KyJ Yet
man
read this little paragraph and m,
mind went back six years. | knew JOIN
Brisben, and | also knew his twir
brother Joseph. | was familiar will
the details of the action that place,
John BrSben in fclOn's cell, and now
when the sad affair is brought back t,
mind so wildly must write it out, foi
never before have | met. in prose 81
poetry, in real life or in romance, q
greater hero than plain, matter-of-fact
John BriSben.
The Brisbens came of good stock.
think the great-grandfathcr of my hero
emigrated to Kentucky when Kenton' 5
Station, between the present City of
Maysville and the historic old Town of
Washington, was the principal settle
ment on the clark and bloody ground. q"
He came from Upper Pennsylvania and
located about five miles from the Ohio
river, on Limestone Greek. He was an
industrious, strong-limbed, lion-hearted
old fellow, and in 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
Brsben. Their fathers name was Sam
uel, and he died when they were little
l.; l. L., 1.
bluegrass farm and snug little fortune
in stocks. bonds and mortgages The
widow remained widow until her
death. Mrs. Samuel Brsbcn was Il
good woman, and she idolized her twin
boys Like most twins, the brothers
rese mbled each other in striking man
Der, and even intimate acquaintance
could not llthcm apart. But although
the physical resemblance was so strong
there was great dissimilarity in the dis
positions of the twins. Joseph Brisbcn
was surly and morosc, sometimes cum
ming and revcngcful. He was withal a
dreamer and an enthusiast; man well
learned in books, n brilliant, frothy
Ialker when he chose to be sociablc
(Which was seldom), a splendid horse
man, and most excellent shot. John
Brisben, on the contrary, was cheerful
and bright, honorable and forgivng.
He was man of high moral principle,
intensely practical and mcthodical,
cared little for books, and, although he
said bat little, was splendid COM
panion. He was poor horseman, and
don't think he ever shot n gun in his
life. He saw nothing of the poetry of
life, and as for sport, he enjoyed him
elf only when hard at work. He loved
his brother, and when they were boys
together suffered punishment many
times, and uncomplainingly that
''Jodie' might 90 scot free. His life
was therefore one constant sacrifice,
but the object of this loving adoration
made but shabby returns for this unscf
ish devotion.
They were 20 years old when THEN
mother died very suddenly Joseph
made great prctensc of grief, and was
SO hysterical nj the grave that ne had tC
ne led away.
John, on the contrary, never demon
stratye, took the great atllction with
his customary GOODNESS. He said but
little and shed no tears
The property left to the BOYS was con.
siderable. The day they were u years
q Old the trustees met and made settle. |
ment. There was the bluegrass farm
valued at $50, 900, and 800, 900 in well
invested securities which could be turn
ed into money. Joseph demanded a
division
You can lake the farm, Jack" he |
said. II was never cut out for farm
er Give me $4,000 in money for my
share"
80 this sort of division was made.
John continued on at the homestead, |
working in his plain, methodical way,
and slowly adding 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 es-
Establishment at the'nearest town and be-
gan life of pleasure, pleasure of tho
grosser 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
Joseph came to him with full confess
sion Of his pecunary troubles:
Jack, he said, II am not only
beggar, but an heavily in debt. Help
me out like a good fellow, and will
settle down and begin life in sober earn
est With my capacity for business 7
can soon make money enough to repay ,
you. l have sown my wild oats, and 1
with little help can soon recover
all that have squandered so foolish |
ly."
For an answer John Brisbcn placed
his name to an order for the So. 900 he :
had earned so laboriously. ,
-'Wiil that be enough, Jodie?n he ask !
ed. because | have as much more. I
which you can have if il is necessary. I
This will be sufficient old fellow"
was the reply. 'ln two years will pay t
il back. y
He went back 10 town, drew his :