The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1877-06-01
JOsEPH's BROTHER.
BY BRET HARTE.


to each other, and their lives and theil
actions were sort of mystery to the
rest, who were jolly set, drinking, ca
rousing, fighting, playing cards, and
wishing for a brush with the Indians
Some said that Joseph was fugitive
from Justice, and that he wouldn't fra.
ternize with them for fear of betraying
himself when interrogated. Others
thought he felt too proud to mix with
such society, and between the two the.
Iories he had nearly sll the men thinking
Ill of him before the wagon train was
four days travel from Cheyenne.
''He keeps his brother hidden away
in the wagon as If a little sunshine
would kill the boy" growled one of O
campfire in the twilight.
"Perhaps he thinks our language isn't
high-toned enough-blast his eyes!" ex-
claimed another.
"Ain't we all bound to the same place
all sharing the same dangers-one as
good as another?" demanded broad
shouldered fellow from San Antonio.
eyes, yes!" they shouted.
"Then don't il look low-down mean
for this ere man Joseph to edge away
from us as if we were pizen? If he's so
mighty refined and high-toned, why
didn't he come out here In balloon?'
There was laugh from the circle,
and the Texan went on:
~ don't purtend to be an angel, but
l know manners as we'll as the next.
believe that man Joseph is regular
starch, ready to wilt right down as soor
as pint my finger at him, and I'm go
in over to his wagon to pull his nose y
"That's the game, Jack Go in, old
fellow! 'Rah for the man from Texas =
yelled the gold hunters as they sprung
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 few feet from the
hind wheels sat Joseph and his brother
eating their frugal supper. AS the
crowd came near, the boy sprung uI
and climbed into the covered wagon
while Joseph slowly rose up, and looked
at them anxiously and inquiringly.
"See here, Mr.. Joseph what's-your.
other-name !" began the Texan, as he
halted before the lone man, "we have
come to the conclusion that you and
that BOBBY brother O. yours don't like
our style. Are we kerect?"
"I have nothing against any of you,
quietly replied Joseph. "The journey
thus far has been very pleasant and
agreeable to u.s."
"But you hang off-yon don't speak
to us!" persisted Jack.
"I am sorry if have incurred any
mans ill-will. l feel friendly toward
you ALL"
"Oh, you do, eh?" sneered the Texan
feeling that he was losing ground
"Well, it's my opinion that you are 6
sneak!'
Joscph's face turned white, and thu
men saw dangerous CLEAN in his eycs
He seemed about to speak or make some
movement, when soft voice from tn,
wagon called out:
"Joscph, Joseph"
A soft light came into the mans face
The Texan noticed ii, and, slapping 10
seph's face, he blurted out:
"If ye amt n coward, yen resen
that, Eurc!"
A boyish figure sprung from th,
wagon and stood beside the lone man
A small hand was laid on his shoulder
and voice whispered in his ear:
"Bear the insult for my sake"
There was full minute in which II,
one moved. Joseph's face locke,
ghostly white in the gloom, and the,
lcould see him tremble.
"He's coward, just as | thought.
said the Texan as he turned away. Th
others followed him, some feelin,
ashamed, and others surprised or graft
fled, and by-and-by the word had reach
ed every wagon that Joseph and 10
seph's brother were towards.
Next morning, when the wagon trail
was ready to move, the Captain passet
near Joseph's wagon on purpose to say
"If there are any towards in thi
train, they needn't travel with us an,
further"
1t was cruel thrust. Joseph wa
harnessing his horses, and the brothe
v was slowing away the cooking uten
siles. The strange mans face grew
white again, and his hand went dow
7 for hisyevolver, but just then voic
called out
Don't mind it, Joseph; we'll go ol
alone"
The train moved of without them
some of the gold hunters taunting an,
.
would be butchered by the Indians be
fore the day was over. When th
white-topped wagons were so far ava
that they seemed no larger than hi
hand, Joseph moved along on the trail
his face stern, and so busy with hi
, thoughts that he did not hear the con
soling words:
"Neyer mind, Joseph; we are iryin
to do right"
That night, when the wagon traiu @
the gold hunters went into camp, the
l could not see the lone wagon, thoug
many of the men, ashamed of their con
duct, looked long and earnestly for II
They had seen Indians afar, and the
knew that the red devils would pounc
down upon single team as soon IA the
sighted il.
e Darkness came; midnight came, an
II the scntincls heard nothing but III
e stamping of the horses and the howls q
Is the coyotes. At two O'Clock the repoi
of rifles and the fierce yclls of Indian
fioated up through the little valley, an
the camp was aroused in moment.
"The devils have jumped In on Joscp
and his brotherw whispered one of th
men, as he stood on knoll and bent hi
head TO listen.
"Good huff! Cowards have no bus
ness out here" growled the Texan.
fhe first speaker wheeled, struck In
ruiiian a sledge-hammer blow In tn
face, and then, running for the horses
cried OUT
"Come onl come on! A dozen of Il
eau be spared for the rescue"
Sixteen men swept down the vale
like the wind. The firing and the vel
!, ing continued, proving that the ma
who had been called coward was max
.. ing heroic fight. In ten minutes the
came upon the lone camp. made ligh
as day by the burning wagon. Fift
feet from the bonfire, and hemmed 1
by a circle of dancing, leaping, howlin
savages, was Joseph's brother standin
over Joseph's dead body. The nnl