Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-05-03
JoSEPH'S BROTHER.


as singular that they didn't say
"Joe," instead of Joseph" when
speaking of or to the man.
The two had wagon in the band
dragging itself toward the Black
Hills day by day AMI mile by mile.
They messed by themselves, scarcely
spoke except to each other, and their
lives and their actions were sort OF
mystery to the rest, who were a jolly
set, drinking, carousing, fighting,
playing cards, and wishing for a
brush with the Indians. Some said
that Joseph was a fugitive from JUS
tice, and that he wouldn't fraternize
with them for fear of betraying him
self when interrogated. Others
thought he felt too proud to mix
with such society, and between the
two theories he had nearly all the
men thinking i'll Of him before the
wagon train was four days travel
from Cheyenne.
Gle keeps his brother hidden away
in the wagon as if little sunshine
would kill the boy" growled one of
dozen gold hunters sitting around
their camp fire in the twilight.
perhaps he thinks our language
isn't heightened enough-blast his
eyes!" exclaimed another.
CANT we all bound to the same
place-all sharing the same dangers
--one as good as another?" demand
ed q broad-shculdered fellow from
San Antonio.
Eyes, yes!" they shouted.
"Then don't it look low down
mean for this ERE man Joseph to
edge away from US as if we were
pizen! II he's so mighty refined and
heightened, why didn't he come out
here in a balloon?'
There was laugh fro m the circle
aud the Texan went on:
81 don't pertend to be an angel,
but | know manners as we'll as the
next. | believe that man Joseph is
regular starch, ready to wilt right
down as soon as | pint my finger at
him, and I'm goin' over to his wagon
to pull his nose!'
"That's the game. Jack! Go in, old
fellowl 'Rah for the man from
Texasl" yelled the gold hunters, as
they sprang to their feet.
"Come right along and see the
fun" continued the Texan, as he led
the way toward Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one in the cir
Gle, and at small fire few fest
from the hind wheels sat Joseph and
bis brother, eating their frugal sup.
per. As the crowd came near, the
boy sprang mp and climbed into che
covered wagon, while Joseph slowly
rose up and looked at them anxious
ly and inqniringly.
"See here, Mister Joseph what's
your-other namel" began the Texan
as be halted before the lone man,
awe have come to the conclusion that
you and that BOBBY brother o. yours
don't like our STYLE! Are we kerec.?'
81 have nothing against any OF
you" quietly replied Joseph "The
journey thus far has been very pleas
ant and agreeable to US.
But you hang otf-you don'l
speak to us!" persisted Jack.
Il am sorry if have incurred any
mans ill-will. l feel friendly toward
you all.
"Oh, you do, eh?' snaered the
Texan, feeling that be was losing
ground. well, it's my opinion thai
you are sneak y
Joseph's face turned white, ant
the men saw a dangerous CLEAN il
his eyes. He seemed about to speak
or mako some movement when 6
soft voice from the wagon called out
"Josepb, Joseph !"
A soft light came into the mans
face. The Texan noticed it, and
sIapping Joseph's face, be blurtec
| out:
'If you amt coward ye'll resen
that, surep
A boyish figure sprang from thu
wagon and stood beside the lone man
A small hand was laid on his shoulder
and a voice whispered in his ear:
"Bear the insult for my sake"
There was full minute in which
no one moved. Joseph's face looked
ghostly white in the gloom, ant
they could see him tremble.
"He's coward, just as | thought
said the Texan as be turned away
The others followed him, some feel
ing ashamed and others surprised o.
graf fed, and by and by the wore
had reached every wagon tina
Joseph and Joseph's brother wer'
towards.
Next morning, WREN the Wagon
train was ready to move, the captain
passed near Joseph's wagon on pur
pose to say:
IF there are any towards in thi
train, they needn't travel with u
any further.
1t was cruel thrust Joseph wa
Harvesting his horses, and the broth
er was slowing away the cooking
utensils. The strange mans fec
grew white again, and his hant
went down for bis revolver, but jus
then a voice called out:
Don't mind it Joseph; we'll go OF
alone
The train moved off without them
some of the gold hunters tauntinl
and joking, and others fearful tina
the two would be butchered by th'
Indians before the day was over
When the white-topped wagons wer'
so far away that they seemed NJ
larger than his hand, Joseph moved
along on the trail, his face stern aDt
dark, and so busy with his thought
that he did not hear the consolinl
words:
sNever mind, Joseph we are try
ing to do right.
That night when the wagon traif
of the gold hunters went into camp
they could not see the lone Wagon
though many of the men, ashamed
of their conduct, looked long ant
earnestly for it. They had seen In
dams afar off, and they knew tina