The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-06-14
uAs nEA COWARD


nl8r tbai they didnt say Jeei lbsieAa %
Joseph. when speaking Of or TO the rnau.
The two had 8 wagon in the band,
dragging Il sell toward the Black Hills
day bY day aud mile by mile. They
messed by themselves, scarcely spoke
except 70 each other, aud their lives and
their actions were sort Of mystery TO
the rest, who were jolly set, drinking,
cAroasing, fghting, playing cards, and
wishing for brush with the lndisns.
Some said that Joseph was a fugitive
from justice, and that be wouldn'I frater-
nlze with them for fear Of betrSying hiin.
self when interroeatcd. Othsrs thought
be iel 100 proud to mix with such socie-
ty, aud between their two theories he
had nearly all the men thinking III of him
before the train was four days travel
from Cheyenne.
( He keeps his brother hidden away in
the wagon, as IL little sunshine would
Kill the boy, growled one OF a dozen
gold hunters sitting around their camp
ire in the twilight.
/ Perhaps be thinks our luggage isn't
/ high.toued enough blast bis eyes! ex-
claimed another.
/ Amt we all bound for the same place
ali sharing the same danger-one rs
good as another? demanded broad
shouldered fellow from San Antonio.
/ Yes, yes! they shouted.
Then don't il look low down mean for
this ere man Joseph TO edge away from
as as il we were p,zeul II he's SO mighty
refined aud high.toned, why didn't he
come out here in a balloon?
There was laugh from tie circle, aud
the Texan went on;
don't pretend TO be an angel, but |
4 know manners as we'll as the next. |
believe that man Is reg'lar starch, ready
to wilt right down as soon as | pint my
finger at him, and Pm goin' over TO his
wagon TO pull his nose
That's the game, Jack Go in, old fel-
low 'Rah for the man from Texas
yelled the gold hunters, as the sprang TO
their feet.
Come right along and zee the fun, con-
4 tinued the Texan, as he led the way
towards Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one IN the circle,
and at small fire few feet from the
Itu1 ,ykaata cat Iooanh and h;a hrniknr
eating their frugal supper. AS the
crowd came near, the boy sprang up and
climbed into the covered wagon, while
Joseph slowly rose up and looked at
them aDxiously aud inqulringly.
See here, Mr.. Joseph, what's your
other name began the Texan, as be halt
ed before the man, we've come to the
conclusion that you and that BOBBY broth
er of yours don't like our style! Are we
kerecl2
| 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
any of u.s. persisted Jack.
| am sorry if have incurred any
mans i'll will. feel friendly towards
you all.
Oh, You do, eh? sneered the Texan,
feeling that he was losing ground. Well,
It's my opinion that you are a sneak
Joseph's face turned white, aud the
men saw dangerous CLEAN in his eyes.
lie seemed about to speak or TO make
some movement when soft voice from
the wagon called out;
Joseph, Joseph!
A soft light came into the mans face
The Texan noticed il, and slapping 10.
seph's face, he blnried OUT
Ifye ain't coward yen resent that
sure.
A boyish figure sprsng from the wsgor
and stood beside the lone man A smal
hand was laid on .his shoulder, aud 1
] voice whispered in his ear:
Bear the iusult for my sake!
There was full minute in which nC
one moved. Joseph's face looked ghast
ly white in the gloon, aud they coulC
see him trcmble.
He's coward just MS thought saiC
the Texan, as lac turned away. Th,
others followed him, some feeling
ashamed, aud others surprised or graft
fed, and by and by the word had reached
every wagon that Joseph and Joseph
brother were towards.
Next morning when the wagon traiT
was ready to move, he captain passe'
! near Joseph's wagon on purpose TO say
lfthere are any towards in this train
they NEEDN'T travel with Us any further.
II was cruel thrust Joseph wa
hArnessing his horses, and the brothe
was slowing away the cooking utensils
The strange mans face grew white sgail
sud his hand went down FOR his reyolye
bnt jus. thea voice called out:
Don't mind il Joseph; we'll 90 o
: alone.
The tram moved OF without them
some Of Ihe gold hunters tauntIng an
. loking, aud others fearful that the tw'
wonid be butohered by the Indians be
= fore tie day was over. When the white
4 topped wAgons were 50 far away tha
= they seemed no larger than bis hand, JC
seph moved along on The trail, bis fac
stern and dark, aud 20 busy with hi
thoughts that be did not hear the con
sollng words:
Never mind, Joseph; We are trying {
DO right.
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