Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-12-11
JOSEPH'S BROTHER.
BRET HARTE.

Auu IL was JUST dS SluS utua tunt
they didn't call him Joe" instead
of"Joseph" when speaking of 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 them
selves, scarcely spoke to each 9TH
er, and their lives and their &C.
tions were sort of mystery to the
rest, who were jolly set, drink
ing carOusing, fighting and pla y
ing cards, and wishing 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 INTERCEPTED. 9th
ers thought he felt too proud to
mix with society, and between the
two theories he had nearly all of
the men thinking i'll of him before
the wagon trail was four days.
travel from Cheyenne.
"He keeps his brother hidden
away in the wagon as ifa little
sunshine would kill the boy"
growled one of dozen gold hun
tiers sitting around their camp fire
in the twilight.
"Perhaps he thinks our language
isn't heightened enough-blast his
eyes!' exclaimed another.
"Ain't we all bound to the same
place, all sharing the same dam
gers, one as good as another ?" de-
manded broad shouldered fellow
from San Antonio.
"Yes 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 80 mighty refined
and heightened, why didn't he
come out here In balloon 2"
There was laugh from the cir
Gle and the Texan went on.
81 don't purtend to be an angel,
but / know manners as we'll as
the next. / believe that man Jo-
seph is regular starch, ready to
wilt down as soon as / pint my
finger at him, and am going
over to his wagon and pull his
nose ~
"That's the game, Jack Go in,
old fellow 'Rah for the man from
Taxas!" yelled the gold hunters,
as they sprang to their feet.
"Come right along and see the
fun" continued the Texan, as he
led the way to Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one in the
circle and at a small fire a few feet
from the hind wheel sat Joseph
and his brother eating their frugal
supper. AS the crowd cames near
the boy sprang up and climbed
into the covered wagon while Jo-
seph slowly rose up and looked at
them anxiously and inquiringly.
''See here. Mr.. Joseph, what's
your other name?" began the
Texan, as he halted before the
lone man. 1--WE have come to the
conclusion that you and that
bloody brother o. yours don't like
our style. Are we kerect ?"
81 have nothing against any of
YOU" quietly replied Joseph
1.-THE Journey thus far has been
very pleasant and agreeable to
u.s." .............. ...
"But you hang off-you don't
speak to u.s. persisted Jack.
81 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. swell, it's my opinion
that you are sneak"
Joseph's face turned white, and
the man saw dangerous CLEAN
in his eyes. He seemed about to
speak or make some movement,
when a soft voice from the wagon
called ou,:
Joseph. joseph J"
A soft il nt came into the mans
face. The Texan noticed 1t. and
slapping Joseph's face, he blurted
out:
eff We amt coward, yell re-
sent tiat, sure!'
A boyish figure sprang from the
wagon and stood beside the 10 re
man. A small hand was laid on
his shoulder and a voice whisper
ed in his ear:
"Bear it for my sake"
There was full minute in
which no one moved. Joseph's
face looked ghostly white in the
gloom, and they could see him
tremble.
"He's a coward, just as I
thought" said the Texan as he
turned away. The others follow
ed him, some feeling ashamed
and others surprised or gralified,
and by and by the word reached
every wagon that Joseph and Jo-
seph's brother were towards.