The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1877-05-24
IBret Earle in New York sun.
JOSepIl'S Brother.

or Harry, but always spoke of him a.
''JOseph's Brother" And it was jus
as singular that they didn't say "Joe, ,
instead of "JOseph," when speaking
Of or to the man.
The two had 2 wagon in the band
dragging itself toward the Black Hills
day by day and mile by mile. They
messed by themselves, scarcely spoke
except TO each other, and their lives
and their actions were a sort OF
mystery to the rest, who were a jolly
set, drinking, carousing, fighting,
| playing cards, and wishing for brush
with the Indians. Some said that
Joseph was 8 fugitive from Justice,
and that he wouldn't fraterniZs with
them for fear Of betraying himself
when interrogated. Others thought
be felt too proud to mix with such
society, and between the two theories
he lad nearly all the men thinking
III of him before the wagon train was
four days. travel from Cheyenne.
'He keeps his brother hidden away
in the wagon ss IL a little sunshine
would kill the boy" groWled one OF q
dozen gold hunters sitting around
their camp fire in the twilight.
perhaps he Thinks our language
isn't high. toned enOugh-blast his
eyes ~ exclaimed another.
"Ain't we all bound TO the same
place-all sharing the same dangers
one as good as another >" demanded a
brOad-shOuldered fellow from San An
tonic.
"Yes, yes !" they shouted.
"Then don't il look low down mean
for this 'ere man Joseph to edge
away from US as il we were pizen +? If
he's so mighty refined and high
toned, why didn't he come out here in
3 balloon ,"
''Ihere was q laugh from the circle,
and the Texan went on
81 don't purtend to be an angel, but
1 know manners as well as the next.
l believe that man Joseph is reg'lar
starch, ready to wilt right down as
soon as I pint my finger at him, and
Pm goin' over to his wagon to pull
his nose I'
"That's the game, Jack ! Go in,
old fellow J 'Rah for the man from
Texas ~ yelled the gold hunters, as
they sprang to their feet.
''COme right along and see the
fun 2" continued the Texan, as he led
the way toward Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one of the cir
Gle, and at 3 small fire few feet from
the hind wheels sat Joseph and his
brother eating their frugal supper.
As the crowd came near, the boy
sprang up and climbed Into the COW
cred wagon, while Joseph slowly rose
up and looked at them anxiousiy and
inquiringly.
''See here, Mister Joseph, what's
yOur-OtheT name 90 began tue Texan,
as he halted before the lone man, "we
have come to the conclusion that you
and that boy brother O. yours don't
like our style Are We kerect ?n
"a have nothing against any of
you" quietly replied Joseph. 'eThe
journey thus far has been very pleas
ant and agreeable to u.s."
"Bnt you hang on-yOu don't speak
to us ~ persisted Jack.
"I am sorry if have incurred any.
mans i'll will. / feel friendly toward
you ALL"
"Oh, you do, ell ?n sneered the
Texan, feeling that he was losing
ground. "WeIl, it's my opinion that
you are a sneak 2"
JOseph's face turned white, and the
man saw a dangerous gleam in his
eyes. He seemed abOgt TO speak or
make some movement, when a soft
voice from the wagon called out:
''JOseph, Joseph I'
A soft light came into the mans
face. The Texan noticed it, and
slapping JOseph's face he blurted
out:
"If you amt coward You'll resent
that sure ~
"A boyisE figure sprang from the
wagon and stood beside the lone man.
A small hand was laid on mis- shOul-
der, and 3 voice whispered in his |
ear
''Bear the insult for my sake :"
There was full minute in which |
no one moved. Joseph's face looked |
chastity white in the gloom, and they |
could see him tIemble.
''He's a coward, just as [ thought % |
said the Texan, and he turned away. |
The Others followed him, some feeling !
and others surprised or |
gratified, and by and by the word |
hRd reached every wagon that Joseph |
and JOseph's brother were towards.
Next morning, when the wagon |
train was ready TO move, the Captain |
passed near IOseph's wagon on pgr- |
pose TO say
'tIf there are sny towards on this /
rain, they needn't travel with us any
farther"
1t was q cruel thrust. Joseph was
his horses, and the BROTH
aT was slowing away the cooking |
utensils. The strange mans face
grew white again, and his hand went 1
down for his revolver, but just then a
voice called out :
''DOn't mind it, Joseph We'll go on
alone"
The train moved off without them, /
some OF the gold hunters taunting
and joking, and others fearful that |
the two would be bGtchered by the
indians before the day was over. /
When the white-tOpped wagons were 1
30 far away that they seemed no |
larger than his hand, Joseph moved /
along on the trail, his face stern and |
dark, and so busy with his thoughts /
that he did not hear the cOnsoling
words
'Never mind, Joseph we are try
ing to do right"
That night, when the wagon train |
Of the gold hunters went into camp,
they could not see the lone wagon,
many Of the men, ashamed |
Of their conduct, looked long and
earnestly for it. They had seen In
dians afar of, and they knew that
the red devils Would pounce down
upon q single team as soon as they
sighted it.
Darkness came, midnight CAME,
and the sentinels neard nothing but
the stamping of the hOTses and the
howl Of the coyotes. At one o'clock
the reports of rifles and the fierce
wells Of Indians flOated up through
the little valley, and the camp was
aroused in 8 moment.
"The DEVILS have jumped in on
Joseph and his brother ~ whispered
one Of the men as lie stood on knoll
and bent his head TO listen.
"GcOd, 'D.nI COwards have no
business Jut here ~ grOwled the
Texan.
The first speaker wheeled, struck
the Tuilian sledge-hammer blow in !
the face, and then, running for the
horses cried out:
'Come on Come on A doZsn Of /