Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-16
JOSEPH'S BROTHER.


They didn't call him Tom, or Jack, {
Harry, but always spoke Of him as tx
seph's brother" And it was just as sill
gular that they didn't call him "Joe" il
stead IF Joseph when speaking of tn
man.
The two had a wagon in the bant
dragging itself toward the Black Hill
day by day and mile by mile. They mess
ed By themselves, scarcely spoke to eacI
other, and their lives and their action
were sort of mystery to the rest, VIII
We're a jolly set, drinking, carousng
fighting and playing cards. and wishin!
for brush with the Indians. Some sai(
thar Joseph was fugitive from justice
aud that he We '.lt fraternize will
them for fear Of f.eag Himself wher
interIogated. O...a.s tAosght he felt toe
proud to mix with society, and between
the two theories he had nearly all the
men thinking i'll of him before the wagon
was four days travel from Cheyenne.
Gle keeps his brother hidden away in
the wagon as if little sunshine would
Kill the boy" growied one of dozen
goll hunters sitting around their camp
fire il the twilight.
Perhaps he thinks our language isn't
hightoned enough-b IT his eyes ~
exclaimed another.
Amt we all bound to the same place,
al sharing the same dangers. one as good
as another p demanded broad Shout
de:e1 fellow from San Antonio.
'ies. yes" they shouted,
Then don't it 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 ard high-toned, why didn't he
come out here in balioonw
There was laugh from the circle and
the Texan went on.
Il don't purtend to be an angel, but
know manners as well as the next. II
believe that man Joseph is a regular
starch ready to wilt down as soop as |
pint my hpSer at him, and Pm goin' oyer
to LIS wagon and pull bis nosew
That the game, Jack Go, in, old
fellow Ran for the man from Texas
yelled tie gold hunters, as they sprang
to their feet.
Come right along and see the fun"
continued the Texan, as he ED the way
to Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one ir 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 spraug up and climb
ed in'O the covered Wagon, while Joseph
slowly rose up and looked ut them anxi-
ously and enquiringly.
"See here, Mr.. Joseph, what's your
other name" began the Texan, as he
halted before the loue man. "We've
cone to the conclusion that you and that
BOBBY brother O yours don't like orr
style. Are we kerrect?'
i have nothing against any of YOU"
tHietiy replied Joseph. ''The journey
hns far has been very pleasant to us" q
But you hang of-you don't speak to
Is, persisted Jack.
lam sorry if have incurred any /
mans ill-will; | feel friendly towards G
,ou ALL" U
Oh, You do, eh!" sneercd the Texan,
"eing that he was losing ground.
We'll, It's my opinion that you are
neal.@ b
Joseph's face turned white, and the v
oau saw dangerous CLEAN in his eyes, IL
le seemed about to speak or make some
lovement, when soft voice from the q
.agon called out. Il
Joseph, Joseph y a.
A soft light came into the mans face, IL
be Texan noticed it, and slapping Jo- -
eph's face, he blurted out:
"it yc amt coward vel resent that &c
ire'' NJ
A boylSh figure sprans fror the wagon pl
I'D stood beside the lone man. A small 81
md was laid on his shoulder, and a al
'ieo was whispered in his ear: ri
Bear it for my sake" fc
There was a full minute in which no an
lie moved. Joseph's face looked ghost M
white in the gloom, and they could ed
him tremble, SCI
HES coward, just as thought, "said sli
9 Texan as heturned away. The 9th to
, followed him, some feeling ashamed vi
d Others surprised or gratifed, and by an
d BY the word reached every wagon va