Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-08-17
JOSEPH'S BROTHER.
BY BRET HARTE

|
Harry, but always spoke of him as 10
seph's brother" And it was just as sin
gular that they didn't say Joe, instea(
of Joseph" ," when speaking Of or to th'
man.
The two had wagon in the band
dragging itself toward the Black Hills
day by day and mile by mile. They
messed by themselves, scarcely spoke tt
each other, and their lives and their ac
tions were sort of mystery to the
rest, who were jolly set, drinking, ca
rousing, fighting, playing cards, wishing
for brush with the Indians. Some
said that Joseph was a fugitive from
justice, and that he wouldn't fratcrnizt
with them for fear of betraying himself
when interrogated. Others thought he
felt too proud to mix with such society
and between the two theories he haC
nearly all the men thinking i'll Of hin
before the wagon was four days trave
from Cheyenne.
He keeps his brother hidden away
in the wagon just as if little sunshine
would kill the boy" growled one of &
dozen gold hunters sitting around theil
camp fire in the twilight.
Perhaps he thinks that our language
isn't high toned enough-blast his eyes!
exclaimed another.
Amt we all Of us bound for 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 it look w-down mean
for this ere man Joseph to edge away
from us as if we were pizen?? If he's
so mighty refined and h-toned, why
didn't he come out here in a balloon?"
There was a laugh from the circle and
the Texan went on
II don't pretend to be an angel, but !
know manners as well as the next
believe that man Joseph is reg lar starch
ready to wilt right down as soon as
pint my finger at him, and I'm goin' over
to his wagon and pull his nose"
That's the game, Jack! Go in, old
fellow! 'Rah for the man from Texas
yelled the gold hunters, as they sprane
to their feet
Come right along and see the fun,
continued the Texan, as led the way to
Josephs 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. When the
crowd came near the boy sprang up and
climbed into the covered wagon, while
Joseph slowly rose up and looked at
them anxiously and inquiringly.
"See here, Mister Joseph, what s-yer-
name!" began the Texan, as he halted
before the lone man. ave have come
to the conclusion that you and that boo
by brother of yours don't like our style!
Are we kerect?"
L have nothing against any of you,
quietly replied Joseph. ''The journey
thus far has been very pleasant and
agreeable to us.
But you hang off-you don't speak
to us!" persisted Jack.
Il am sorry if | have incurred any
mans i'll will. | feel friendly toward
you ALL"
"Oh, you do eh?" sneered the Tex
an, feeling that he was losing ground.
Well, it is my opinion that you are a
sneak"
Joseph's face turned white, and the
men saw dangerous gleam in his eyes.
He seemed about to speak or make some
movement, when soft voice from the
wagon called out
" Joseph, Joseph!" "
A soft light came into the man face.
The Texan noticed it, and, slapping Jo-
seph's face, he blurted out
IF ye amt coward yell resent that
sure!"
A boyish figure sprang from the wa
gon and stood beside the lone man. A
small hand was laid on his shoulder, and
a voice whispered in his ear
" Bear the insult for my sake!
There was full minute in which no
one moved. Joseph's face looked ghost
ly white in the gloom, and they could
see him tremble.
He's coward just as | thought! y
said the Texan, as he turned away. The
others followed him, some feeling asham-
ed and others surprised or gratifed, 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 to move, the Captain passed
near Joseph's wagon on purpose to
say -.
If there are any towards in this
train they needn't travel with us any
longer"
1t was a cruel thrust. Joseph was
harnessing his horses, and the brother
was putting away the cooking utensils.
The strange man IS face grew white again
and his hand went down for his revol-
yer, but just then clear voice called
out
Don't mind it, Joseph; we'll go on
alone"
The train men moved off without them,
some Of the gold hunters taunting and
joking, and others fearful that the two
would be butchcred 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 so busy with his thoughts, he
did not hear the consoling words
Never mind, Joseph; we are trying
to do right
That night, when the wagon train of
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 for it.
They had seen Indians afar off, and they
knew that the red devils would pounce
down upon single team as soon as they
sighted it.
Darkness came; midnight came, and
the sentinels heard nothing but the
stamping of the horses and the howls of
the coyotes. At two o'clock the reports
of rifles and the fierce yells of Indians
Aoated up through the little valley, and
the whole camp was aroused in mo-