The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-04-06
JosEPH'S BROTHER.

| singular LnaJ IneV uluHb say 'JOe,' ln-
stead Of Joseph," when speaking of or
to the man.
The two had a 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, drink
ing, carousing, fighting, playing cards,
and wishing for brush with the Indi.
ans. Some said that Joseph was fugi-
tive from justice, and that he wouldn't
fraternize with them for fear Of betray-
ing himself when interrogated. Others
thought he felt TOO proud to mix with
such society, and between the two theo-
ries he had nearly all the men thinking
i'll of him before the wagon train was
four days travel from Cheyenne.
"He keeps his brother hidden away in
the wagon as il IA little sunshine would
kill the boy" growled out a dozen gold
hunters sitting around their camp fire
in the twilight.
perhaps he thinks our language isn't
high toned enough-blast his eyesW eX-
claimed another.
| "Ain't we all bound to the same place
all sharing the same dangers-one Is
good as anotherW demanded broad
| 5uOulueTeu I6lIOW from Dau AubOulOs
"Yes! yesw they shouted.
| "Then don't it look low-down mean
for this 'ere man Joseph to edge away
from us as il we was pizeni If he's SO
mighty refined and high-toned, why
didn't he come out here in ballooni'
| There was laugh from the circle, and
| the Texan went on.
| 81 don't purtend to be an angel, but /
know manners as well as the next. l be-
lieve that man Joseph is regular starch,
ready 10 wilt right down as soon as
pint my finger at him, and Pm goin' over
uo his wagon to pull his noseV
"ThaVs the game, Jackl Go in, old
felloWl 'Rah for the man from Texas -
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 circle,
and at 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 anxtously and inquiringly.
"See here, Mister Joseph, what's your
other nameW began the Texan, as he
matted before the lone man, 1--WE hev
come to the conclusion that you and that
BOBBY brother o. yours don't like our
stylel Are we kerectW
81 have nothing against any OF you,"
quietly replied Joseph. "rhe journey
thus far has been very pleasant and
agreeable to US"
But you hang of-you don't speak to
usW persisted Jack.
81 am sorry if L have incurred any
mans lll-will. I feel friendly towards
you all"
"Oh, you do, eh3" sneered the Texan,
feeling that he was losing ground.
"Well, it's my opinion that you are a
sneakW
Josephs face turned white, and the
men saw dangerous CLEAN in his eyes.
he seemed about to speak or make some
movement when soft voice from the
wagon called out:
"Josephl Josephw
| A softer light came Into the mans
| face. The Texan noticed it, aud, slap
| ping Joseph's face, he blurted out:
"lf ye amt a coward yen resent that,
surep
A boyish figure sprang from the wagon
and stood beside the lone man. A small
hand was laid on his shoulder, and q
voice whispered in his ear:
"Bear Jue insult Tor my 6akeW
| There was full minute in which no
one moved. Josephs face looked ghost
ly white in the gloom, and they could
see MIN tremble.
"Ae's a coward, just as I thought! ~
said the Texan, as he turned away.
The others followed him, some feeiiii z
ashamed and others surprised or grati.
fled, and by and by the word had reached
every wagon that Joseph and Joseph's
brother were towards.
Next morning, when the wagon train
was ready 10 move, the Captain passe d
near Joseph's wagon on purpose to
says.
train, they needn't travel with us any
further"
1t was a cruel thrust. Joseph was
lharnessing his horses, and the brother
was slowing away the cooking utensils.
The strange mans face grew white
again, and his own hand went down for
his revolver, but just then voice called
out:
Don't mind it, Joseph; we'n 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 butchered by the Indians be-
fore the day was over. When the white
topped wagons were so 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 dad not hear the
cOnsoling words:
"Neyer mind, Joseph; we are trying
to do right"
That night, when the wagon train oil
the gold hunters went into camp, they
could not see the lone wagon, though
many of the men, ashamed OF their con.
duct, looked long and earnestly tor it,
They had seen Indians afar off, and
they knew that the red devils would
pounce down upon the single team as
soon as they sighted il.
Darkness came, midnight came, and
the sentinels heard nothing but the
stamping of the horses aud the howls oil
coy otes. At 2 O'Clock the reports oil
rifles and the fierce yells of indians
fioated up through the little valley, and
the camp was aroused in a moment.
"Tne devils have jumped In ON Joseph
and his brotherp whispered one of the
men as he stood ON the knoll and BEN
his head to listen.
"Good 'Duff! Cowards have no bust
ness out herew growled the Texan.