The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-04-24
Selfrt Story.
JOSEPH,S BROTHER.
Bret Harte, in New York Sun

Bret Harte. in New York SUM-
They didn't call him Tom, or Jack, or
Harry, but always spoke of him as "Jo,
sephs Brother" and it was just as sin.
gular that they didn't say "Joe," instead
of "Ioseph," 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 ex-
cept to each other, and their lives and
their actions were sort of mystery to
the rest, who we're jolly set. drinking
carousihg, fighting, playing cards, and
wishing for brush with the Indians
Some said that Joseph was fugitive
from justice, and that be wouldn't frater.
nize with them for fear of betraving
himself when interrogated. Others
thought he felt himself too proud to mix
with such society, and between the two
theories be had nearly all the men think
ing 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 q little sunshine would
kill the boy" growled one Of dozen
gold hunters sitting around their camp
FIRE in the twilight. =
"Perhaps be thinks our language isn't
|high-toned enough-blast his eyesp ex'
claimed another. Lufr {a-ea
"Ain't we all bound to the same place
ali sharing the same dangers-one as
good as another. demanded a broad
shouldered fellow from San Antonio.
"Yes, yes" they shouted.
"Then don't it look low down NEAR
for this ere man Joseph to edge away
from us as If we were pizen? ] If he.
so mighty refined and high toned, why
didn't he come out here in a balloon r
There was laugh from the circle, anC
the Texan went on. q n r
N"I don't purtend to be an angel, but
know manners as we'll as the next.
believe that man Joseph is .reg'la
starch, ready to wilt right down IS sool
| as | pint my finger at him, and I'm goin
over to his wagon to PULL his nosew
"That's the game, Jack! Go in, oil
fellow! 'Rah for the man from Texas
yelled the gold hunters, as they sprani
to their feet.
"Come right along and see the fun,
continued the Texan, as he led the wa
toward Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one in the circle
and at a small fre a few feet from tn
hind wheels sat Joseph and his brother
eating their frugal supper. As The crow
came near the boy sprang up and clint
ed into the covered wagon, while Josep
slowly rose up and looked at them anz
liously and inquiringly.
"See here, Mr.. Joseph whats.youl
|other name!" began the Texan as b
halted before the lone man, 1--WE hay
come to the conclusion that you and tbs
BOBBY brother O. yours don't like OF
Istyle! Are we kerect ?"
81 have nothing against any Of you,
quietly replied Joseph. "The journe
thus far has been very pleasant IN
agreeable to u.s." tsA seJ
"But you hang off-you don't spes
to u.s." persisted Jack.
81 am sorry if I have incurred an
tman's ill-will; / feel friendly toward yc
ALL"
."Oh, you do, Ell p sneered the Texal
feeling that he was losing ground. I'VE
: it's my opinion that you're sneak !'
Joseph's face turned white, and II
man saw dangerous gleam in his eyes
he seemed about to speak or make son
movement when q soft voice from Il
wagon called out:
"Joseph, Joseph"
! "a soft light came into the mans fac
The Texan noticed It and, slapping j,
lsepb's face, blurted out: