Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1877-06-28
JOSEPH'S BROTHER.

! They didn't call him Tom, or Jack, OF
Harry, but always spoke of him as ''Joseph's
Brother" And it was just as singular tha,
they didn't say ''Joe, instead of ''Joseph,
when speaking of or to the man.
The two had a wagon in the band, dragging
itself toward the Black Hills, day by day and
mile by mile. They messed by themselves,
| scarcely spoke except to each other, and their
| lives and their actions were sort of mystery
| to the rest, who were jolly set, drinking,
carousing, fighting, playing cards, and wish.
| ing for brush with the Indians. Some said
that Joseph was fugitive from justice, and
that he wouldn't fraternize with them for fear
of betraying himself when interrogated.
Others thought lie felt too proud to mix with
such society, and between the two theories he
had nearly all the men thinking i'll of him be-
fore The wagon train was four days travel
from Cheyenne.
''He keeps his brother hidden away in the
| wagon as if little sunshine would kill the
boy" growled out dozen gold-bunters sitting
around their camp fire in the twilight
''Perhaps he thinks our language isn't high
toned enough-blast his eyes!" exclaimed
another.
''Aint we all bound to the same place-all
sharing the same dangers-one as good as
another? ?" demanded broad-shouldered fel-
low from San Antonio
Eyes! yes..' they shouted.
"Then don't it look low-down mean for
this ere man Joseph to edge away from US as
if we was pizen? If he's 50 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,
II don't purtend to be an angel, but know
manners as the next. believe that man
Joseph is reglar starch, ready to wilt right
down as soon as pint my finger at him, and
I'm going over to his wagon to pull his
nose !"
s'Thats the game, jack Go in old fellow
,Rah for the man from Texas" yelled the
gold-hunters, as they sprang to their feet.
'Come right along and see the fuD," con-
tinued 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 mis- brother 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 anxiously and inquiringly.
''See here. Mister Joseph, what's your
other name?" began the Texan, as he halted
before the lone man, "we hev come to the
conclusion that you and that BOBBY brother
oyours don't like our style ARE we kerect?"
81 have nothing. against any of you"
quietly replied Joseph. 1.-THE journey thus
far he's been very pleasant and agreeable to
us"
''But you hang off-you don't speak to u.s."
persisted Jack.
II am sorry if have incurred any man 8
i'll will. I feel friendly toward you ALL"
''Oh, you do, eh? ?" sneered the Texan, feel
ing that he was losing ground. ''Well, it's my
opinion that you are a sneak!'
Joseph's face turned white, and the men
saw dangerous CLEAN in his eyes. He
seemed about to speak or make some move
ment when soft voice from the wagon called
out:
"Joseph! Joseph!' t
A softer light came into the mans face
Tie Texan noticed it, and, slapping Joseph's
face, he blurted out:
eff ye amt coward yen resent that,
sure!" .l..G
A boyish figure sprang from the wagon
and stood beside the lone man. A small |
hand was laid on his shoulder, and voice |
in his ear: eF ,t
''Bear the insult for my sake!"
There was full minute in which no one
moved Joseph's face looked ghostly white
n the gloom, and they could see him tlemble. |
Hes coward, just as thought" said
he Texan, as he turned away. The others
followed him, some feeling ashamed and
others surprised or gratifed, and by-and-by
he word had reached every wagon that JOS
,ph and Joseph's brother were towards.
Next morning, when the wagon train was
'eady to move, the Captain passed near JOS
'ph's wagon on purpose to say:
''If there are any towards in this train they
leedn't travel with US any further
1t was a cruel thrust. Joseph was harness.
ng his horses, and the brother was slowing
way the cooking utensils. The strange mans
ace grew white again, and his own hand
'oice called out:
''Don't mind it, Joseph we'll go on alone.
The train moved off without them, some
# the gold hunters taunting and Joking, and
thers fearful that the two would be butcher.
d by the Indians before the day was over.
When the white-topped wagons were so far
way that they seemed no larger than his
and, Joseph moved along on the trail, bis
ace stern and dark, and so busy with his
loughts. that he did not hear the consoling
lords: a. .-si3A
'Never mind, Joseph; we are trying to do
That night, when the wagon train Of the |
old-hunters went into camp, they could not
5e the lone wagon, though many of the men, .
shamed of their conduct, looked long and
arnestly for it. v1aaes- fs .7et.-t-I IL
They had seen Indians afar off, and they [
new that the red devils would pounce down {
con the single team as soon as they sighted 1t. I
Darkness came, midnight came, and the {
,ntinels heard nothing but the stamping of
,e horses and the howls of cayotes. At two
clock the rer20rta of rifles and the fierce !