Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-08-02
JOsEPH'S BROrHFR.

just as singular that they didn't say
joe" instead of "Joseph," when
speaking Of or to the man.
The two had q wagon IN the band
dragging itself toward the Black
Hills, day by day and mile by mile.
They messed by themselves; scarce.
ly spoke except to each other, and
their lives and their actions were a
sort of mystery to the rest, who
were jolly set, drinking, carousing,
fishing, playing cards, ard wishing
for brush with the Indians. Some
said that Joseph was fugitive from
justice, and that he wouldn't frater-
nize with them for fear of betrayine
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 of him before the wa
gon train was four days travel from
Cheyenne. e-Ssr = Hu
"He keeps This brother hidden
away in the wagon as if little sun
shine would kill the boy" growled
one of n dozen gold hunters sitting
around their camp fire in the twi-
light. M
Perhaps he thinks our language
isn't high toned enough-blast his
eyes !" exclaimed another.
CANT we all bound to the same
place-an sharing the same dangers
ono as good as another 2" de-
manded q broad-shouldered fellow
from San Antonio. Il.
t'Ees yes ~ they shouted.
ssThen don't it look-down mean in
this 'ere man Joseph to edge away
from us as if we were pisen ? II he's
50 mighty refined and high-toned
why didn't he-come out here in a
balloon ?'' ft
There was laugh from the circle,
and the Texan went on.
ST don't purtend to be an angle,
but know manners as well as the
next. ! believe that man Joseph is
regal starch. ready to wilt right
down as soon as I pint my finger at
him and Pm goin' over TO his wagen
to pull his nose ~ e.
s.That's the game Jack Go in, old
fellow. Rah for the man from Tex
as !" yelled the gold hunters, IS
they sprang TO their feet. - "A
''Come right along and see the
fun" continued the Texan, as he
led the way toward Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one If the cir
Gle, and at small fire a few feet
from the hind wheels sat Joseph and
his brother, eating their frugal sup
per. As the crowd came near, the
boy sprang up and climbed into the
covered wagon, and Joseph slowly
rose ny and looked at them anxious
ly and enquiringly.
"See here, Mister Joseph WHAT'S
your other name ?'' began the Tex
an, as he halted before the lone man,
1--WE have come to the conclusion
that you and that BOBBY brother OF
yours don't like our style ! Are we
kerect 2'' ~s,. e
81 have nothing against any OF
you,- quietly replied Joseph. "The
journey thus far has been very pleas
ant and agreeable to u.s.
1But You hang off-you don't
speak to us P'persisted Jack.
''I am sorry if I have incurred any
mans ill-will. I feel friendly to-
wards you all.'
"Oh, you do, ell ?'' sneered the
Texan, feeling that he was losing
ground. Well, it's my opinion that
you're 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 a soft
voice from the wagon called out:
ssJosepf. joseph %
A soft light came into the mans
face. The Texan noticed it, and
slapping Joseph's face, biurted out !:
s'If you amt coward yell resent
that, sure!'
A boyish figure sprang out of the
wagon and stood beside the lone |
man. A small hand was laid on his
shoulder, and voice whispered in
his ear:
'tBear the insult for my sake.'
There was a full minute i'm which
no one moved. Joseph's face looked
CHASTITY white in the gloom, and they
could see him tremhe.
tHe's a coward Just as 1 thought,
said the Texan, as he moved away.
The others followed him, some feel
ing ashamed and others surprised
and gratified, and by and by the
word had reached every wagon that
Joseph and Joseph's brother were
towards. /