The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-30
WAS HE A COWARD.
The Story of Joseph and His Brother,
by BRET HARTE.

ging it elf toward tue Back 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, carousipg, fighting,
playing cards, and wishing for brush
with the Indians. Some said that Joseph
was fugitive from justice, and that he
wouldn't ftaterDize with them for fear OF
betraying himself when Intercepted. 9th
ers thought he felt too proud to mix with
such society, and between their two theo-
les he had nearly all the mon thinking ill
of him before the train was four days tray
ell from Cheyenne.
"He keeps his brother hidden away in
the wagon, as if little sunshine would
kill the boy" growled one of d',zen gold
hunters sitting around their camp fire IN the
twilight.
"Perhaps he thinks our luggage isn't
hlgh-toned enough-blast his eyes!' ex-
claimed another.
"Aln't we all bound for the same place
all sharing the same anger. one as good
as another?" demanded ad.shouldered
fellow from San Antonio.
"Yes, yes !" they shouted.
"Theu don't it look low down mean for
this ere man Joseph to edge away from US
| as if we we're pizen2 II he's so mighty re-
fiOed and heightened, why didn't he come
out here in balloon? ?"
There was laugh from the circle, and
the Texan went on
81 don't pretend to be angel, but l know
manntss as well as the next. | believe the
| man 10 regular starch, ready to wilt right
down as soon as l pint my finger at him,
and I'm going over to his wagon to pull his
nose !"
"Thats the game, Jack Go in, old fell
low 'Rah for the man from Texss"
yelled the gold hunters, as they sprang to
their feet.
"Come right along and see the fun" con-
Iinued the Texan, as he led the way to-
wards Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one in the circle, and
at a small fire a 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 covered wagon, while Joseph slowly
rose up and looked at them anxioasly and
inquiripgly.
''See here. Mr.. Joseph. what's your 9TH
er name ?" began the Texan. as he nailed
before the man, "we've come to the con-
cuson that you and that BOBBY brother Of
yours don't like our style Are we kerr
ect ?"
81 have nothing against any of you"
quietly replied Joseph. 1.-The journey thus
far has been very pleasant and agreeable to
u.s."
"But you hang of-you don't speak to
any of us !" persisted Jack
Il am sorry if have incurred any mans
ill WILL feel friendly towards you all"
Goa. you do, eh ?" sneered the Texan,
feeling that he was losing. ground. swell,
it's my opinion that you are sneak :"
Joseph's face turned white, and the men
saw dangerous CLEAN in his eyes. He
seemed about to speak or to make some
movement when a soft voice from the
wagon called out:
Joseph, Joseph !"
The Texan noticed it, and slapping Joseph's
lace, he blurted out
sir we amt coward yell resent that,
sure !"
| A boyish figure sprang from the wagon
and stood by the lone man. A small hand
was laid on his shoulder, and voice whis-
pered in his ear:
| 'Bear the insult for my sake ~
| There was a full minute in which no one
moved. Joseph's face looked CHASTITY
white IN the gloom, and they could see him
trembe.
"He's coward just as thought !" said
the Texan, as he turned away. The 9TH
els followed him, come feeling ashamed,
aud others surprised or gratihed, and by
by the word had reached every wagon that
Joseph and Joseph's brother were towards.
Next morning when the wagon train was
ready to move, the captain passed neal
Joseph's wagon on purpose to say:
'If there are any towards in this train
they needn't travel with US any further"
1t was a cruel thrust. Joseph was bar
Messing his horses, and the.brother was stow
ing away the cooking utensils The strange
mans face grew white again and his hanC
went down for his revolver but just ther
q voice called out:
"Don't mind it Joseph; we'll 60 OF
alone"
The train moved off without them, somt
of the gold hunters taunting and Joking
and others fearful that the two would b,
butchered by the Indians before the day
was over. When the whte-topped wag
ons was so far away that they seemed NJ
larger than his hand, Joseph moved alnnl
IN The trail, his face stern aud dark, and &c
busy with his thoughts that he did not hea
the consoling words
Never mind, Joseph; we are trying tc
do right"
That night. when the wagon train of tn,
gold hunters went into camp, they coulC
not see the long wagon, though many O.
the men, ashamed Of their conduct looked
long aud earnes ly for it. They had seer
Indians afar off, and they knew that thu
red devils would pOunco down upon sin
gle team as soon as they sighted it.
Darkness cane, midnight came, aud the
sentinels heard nothing but the etampinl
Of the horses and the howls of coyotes. A
two o'clock the reports of rifles and tn,
fierce yells of Indians iloated up through
the little valley, and the camp was reused
In moment.
"The devils have jumped in on JOSEPH
and his brother" whispered one of thu
men, as he stood on knoll and bent hi
head to listen.
"Good huff towards have no business
here !" growlcd the Texan.
The FIRST speaker wheeled, struck the
ruffian sledge hammer blow In the face
and then, running for the horses criet
| 0aSt