, 1883-09-08

sent up from Bourbon for fifteen years, 70
forgery, and had ten yet to serve. Ou
readers are familiar with the history o
this case, and the humane action Of hi
Excellency will be generally commended
-FrdHktort (Ky.) Ycomdn.l
I read this little paragraph, and m,
mind went back six years. knew
John Brisben; and also knew his twill
brother, Joseph. was familiar will
the details Of the action that placed
John Brisben in a felon's cell, anC
now, when the sad affair is brough
back to mind so vividly, must writ,
it out, for never before have met
in prose or poetry, in real life or il
romance, q greater hero than plain
matter-Of-faCt, John Brisben.
The Brisbens came Of good stock
l think the great-grandfather Of my
hero emigrated to Kenton's station
between the present city Of Marys,
vile and the historic old town Of
Washington, which was the principal
settlement on the clark and bloody
ground" lie came from upper Penn.
sylvania, and located about five miles
/ from the Ohio River, on Limestone
Creek. He was a strOng-limbed, in.
dustrious, lion-hearted old fellow,
and In few years his surrounding
were Of the most comfortable descrip,
tion. One Of his sons, Edwin Brisben,
'Once represented Kentucky in the
Federal Congress. l think he was
the grandfather Of John and Joseph.
Their fathers name was Samuel, and
he died when they were very little
children, leaving his widow an excel.
lent bluegrass farm and a snug little
fortune in stocks, bonds and mOrtga.
ges. The widow remained a widow
until her death. Mrs. Samuel Rrisben
was a good woman, and she idolizcd
her twin boys. Like most twins, the
brothers rcscmbled each other In a
striking manner, and even intimate
acquaintances could hardly tell them
apart. But although the physical re-
semblance was so strong, there was
great dissimilarity in the disposition
Of the twins. Joseph was surly and
morOse; sometimes cunning and re-
vengeful. lie was withal a dreamer
and an enthusiast; a man well learned
in books, brilliant, frothy talkcr
when he chose to be sociable (which
was seldOm), a splendid horseman,
and most excellent shot. John, on
the contrary, was cheerful and bright,
honorable and forgiving. He was a
man Of high moral principle, intense
ly practical and methOdical, cared
little for books, and, although he said
little, was a splendid companion. lie
was a poor hOrseman, and | don't
think he ever shot a gun in his life.
lie saw nothing Of the poetry of life,
and, as for sport, enjoyed himself only
when at hard work. He loved hi
brother, and when they were boys
together suffered unmerited punish
ment, many times and uncomplain.
ingly, that "Jodie" might go scot
free. His hfe was therefore one con-
slant sacrifice, and the object Of this
alteration made but shabby return
for this unselfish devotion.
They were twenty years old when
their mother died very suddenly.
Joseph made great pretense to grief,
and was so hysterical at the grave that
he had to be led away.
John, on the contrary, never de-
monstrative, took the great afiliction
with his customary GOODNESS. He said
but little, and shed no tears.
The property left to the boys was
considerable. The day they were
twenty-one the trustees met and
made a settlement. There was the
farm, valued at $4,000, and 500, 900
in well invested securities, which
could be turned into cash. Joseph
demanded a division.
"You can take the farm Jack, !" said
he! 81 was never cut outfOra farmer.
Give me $4,000 in money for my
share"
So this sort Of division was made.
John continued at the homestead,
working in his plain, methodical way,
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
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;
so Joseph spent his money with great
prodigality, and before he knew 1t he
abeggar. In the meantime Johns
S25, 900 had doubled itself. One day
Joseph came to him with a full con-
fession Of his pecuniary troubles.
"Jack," said, 81 am not only
a beggar, but am heavily in debt.
Help me out, like a good fellow, and
/ win settle down and begin life in
sober earnest With my capacity for