The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-04-12
JOSEPH'S BROTHER.

or to the man. q Il
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
except 10 each other, and their lives and |
their actions were sort of mystery to |
the rest. who were Jolly SET, utirinling,
carousing, fighting, playing cards, and
wishing for a brush with the Indians.
Some said Joseph was fugitive from
Justice, and that he wouldn' fraternize |
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 had
nearly all the men thinking i'll of him
before the wagon train was four days.
trayel.from Cheyenne. sst5fsm zr.I
"He keeps his brother hidden away
in thewagonas if a little sunshine would
kin the boy,n growled one of dozen
gold hunters sitting around their camp
fire in the twilight 'i sAi
Z" Perhaps he thinks our language
isn't high tos3edl enough-4blast his
eyes y exclaimed another E-
/" Amt we all bound to the same place
all sharing the same dangers-one as
good as another?n demanded broad
shouldered fellow from San Antonio.
| " Yes! yes!" they shouted. 4
i'' Then don'tit 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; -1fairi H E,a
"Ldon't purtend to be an angel, but
/ know manners as well as the next. |
believe that man Joseph is regular
starch, ready to wilt righttlown as soon
as pint my finger at him, and I'm goin'
over to his wagon to pull his nose!n
g That's the game, Jack! Go in, old
fellow 'Rahfo the man from Texas!"
yelled the gold-hnters as they sprang
to their feet. --gsi.eIaa4 ala =
"Ceme right along and see the fun, =
continued the Texan, as he led the way
toward Joseph's wagon. [t-s..
The vehicle formed one of 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 sprang up and climb
ed into the covered wagon, while Joseph
slowly rose and looked at them anxious
ly and inquiringly. .
1'' See here, Mister Joseph what s-your-
other-namer' began the Texan, as he
halted before the lone man, ''we hev
come to the conclusion that you and that
BOBBY brother o. yours don't like our
style! Are we kerect!' VI .rr
Il have nothing against any of YOU, i"
| quietly replied Joseph. " The journey
thus far has been very pleasant and
agreeable to us.'' i--1na H 1-1- p
| "But you hang off-you don't speak
to us persisted Jack.
q am sorry if | have incurred any
mans i'll will. feel friendly towards
you all. -
"Oh, you do, eh?' sneered the Tex
an, feeling that he was losing ground.
"Well, it's my opinion that you are a
sneak!''
Joseph's face turned white, and the
men saw a dangerous CLEAN in his eyes.
He seemed about to speak or make some
movement when soft voice from the
wagon called out: t..r- ., ,..f ISL.
" Joseph! Joseph" .-.fr 9-g
A softer light came into the mans
face. The Texan noticed it, and, slap
ping Joseph's face, he blurted out: .'
eff We amt coward yen resent
that, sure!"i .zf.rrag-d '.-.' 1aass-
| A boyish figure sprang from the wag
on and stood beside the lone man. A
small hand was laid on his shoulder,
and voice whispered in his ear:
'sBear the insult for my sake!" "F
There was u full minute i'm which no
one moved. Joseph's STAGE looked ghost
| lywhite in the gloom, and they could
see him tremble. a.
| q He's coward, just as l thought"
said the Texan, as he turned away. The
others followed him, some feeling
ashamed and others surprised or graft
fed, and by and by the word had reach
ed every wagon that Joseph and DO
seph's brother were towards.
| Next morning, when the wagon train
was ready to move, the Captain passed
near Joseph's wagon purpose to say:
| elf there are any towards in this
train, they needn't travel with us any
further, -.f.., ..s, ..tg.ff g E.rr
| 1t was q 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 hand went down for his
revolver, but just then a-rvoice called
| "Don't mind it, Joseph; Wen 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 did not hear the
consoling words: hssI.H1 ail rsa-
"Never mind, Joseph we are trying
to do right 7Ea
| 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, aHdthey
knew that the red devils would pounce
down upon the single team as soon as