Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-03-05

his brother for help and sympathy.
II own that managed a triile care
lessly." he said, by way of explanation.
Experience is dear teacher, and the
lesson have learned shall never for
get. If you come to my assistance now
/ can soon recover myself"
Once more John Brisben placed his
name to a check payable to the order of
his brother, and Joseph entered into
business again. In two years he was a
bankrupt.
81 shall never succeed in business,
Jack" he said. "Help me out of this
trouble and will live with you on the
farm. shall succeed as farmer"
1t took all of John Brisben's hoard to
pay his brothers debts, but he made
no complaint, uttered no reproach. He
said:
81 am glad you are coming back to
the farm, Jodie. You need do no
work, and we will be very happy to-
gether."
So Joseph took up his residence at
the farm, and remembering his
brothers words, devoted his time prin-
cipally TO hunting, fishing and riding
about the country. In the meantime
John Brisben had fallen in love, and
the daughter of neighboring farmer,
Compton by name, was his promised
wife. Being man of strict honor him
self, and having full confidence in his
brother, he did not object when Joseph
began to pay his aflianced very marked
attention.
Il am glad he likes her" he thought.
81 am SO busy on the farm that l have
little time for pleasure, and Alice is so
fond of amusement"
One night Joseph came to him just rs
the shadows of evening were beginning
to fall. There was q triumphant ring
in his voice when he spoke.
"Jack, old boy" he said, holding out
his hand, congratulate me. l think
that from to-day can date the begin
mig of a new life. Alice Compton has
promised TO be my wife"
He was too much engrossed with his
new happiness to see the effect of this
announcement as portrayed on Johns
face. He did not notice how the strong
mans hand trembled in his own.
Is this trueP' faltered John, tlast.
"Why of course it is. Are you not
glad. We love each other and shall be
very happy"
very happy!" repeated John, mechan-
ically, and all the sunshine of his life
sunk behind the heavy clouds of despair.
" Yes, Jodie, l am glad, and wish you
long 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
window fell full upon his face, and sur
prised 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 his 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-
jected by the bride and supplanted by
the groom was the first to congratulate
the newly-married pair. A vacant
house on the farm was fitted up for their
receptions and John Brisbcn's money
paid for the furnishing.
will divide the profits of the farm. l
don t need much, and you shall have
the larger share"
Ten years passed away, and John
Brisben, 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 around him.
1t had been necessary to mortgage the
old homestead, to raise money to pay
Joseph's gambling debts, for of late
ysars he had playsS heavily and had
Invariably lost
One day-it was in the summer os
1S77--a forged check was presented at
one of the banks at the shire town, by
Joseph Brisben, and the money for
which it called was unhesitatingly paid
over to him. He was under the influ-
ence of liquor at the time, and deeply
interested in game OF cards for high
stakes, which was in progress. The
check was for $1,000, l think. Before
daylight the next morning Joseph
Brisben had lost every dollar of it, To
drown his chagrin he became beastly
drunk, and while i'm this condition an
officer arrived and apprehended him
for forgery and uttering forged check.
The prisoner was confined in Jail, and
word of his disgrace was sent to John
Brisben. The latter read the message,
and mist came over his eyes. He
groaned audibly, and but for strong
effort of the will would have fallen to
the floor, so weakened was he by the
shock.
"She must not know it." he said to him
self, and he made instant preparations
to visit his brother. When he reached
the Jail he was admitted to the cell of
the wretched criminal. The brothers
remained together for several hours.
What passed during the interview will
never be known. When John Brisben
emerged from the Jail he went straight
to the magistrate who had issued the
warrant for the apprehension of Joseph
Brisben.
esquire" he said, in his slow, hes
itating way, you have made mis-
take"
'1n what way" Mr.. BrisbenP"
asked the magistrate, who had q high
regard for his visitor.
you have caused the arrest Of an in
nocent man."
"But'-began the magistrate.
tissue an order for my brothers in
slant release. am the guilty man. l
forged the name of Charles Ellison to
the check which he uttered. He did not
know that it was forgery"
"Your' cried the astounded magis-
trate. "You forger-impossiblep"
Nothing is impossible in these days."
said the white-haired old man, stcrnly.
II alone am guilty. My brother is in
nocent."
So stoutly aid he aver that he was the
forger that tho magistrate reluctantly
issued warrant for his arrest. and at
the same time wrote an order TO the