The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-01-06
JOSEPH'S BROTHER.

JOSEPH'S BROTHER.
They didn't call him Tom, or Jack, OF
Harry, but always spoke of him as 'Jo-
seph's brother" And it was just as singu-
lar that they didn't. say 'Joe" instead Of
The two had wagon in the band, drag
ing itself toward the Black Hills day by day
and mile by mile. They messed by them
selves, scarcely spoke except to each other,
and their lives and actions were a sort Of
mystery to the rest, who were jolly set,
drinking, carousing, fighting, playing cards
and wishing for a 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 in
terrogated. Others thought he felt too
proud to mix with such society, and between
the two theories he had nearly all the men
thinking i'll of him before the wagon train
was four days travel from Cheyenne.
He keeps his brother hidden away in
the wagon as if a little sunshine would kill
the boy growled one of q dozen gold hun
ters sitting around their camp fire in the
twilight.
Perhaps he thinks our language isn't
heightened enough-blast his eyesr' ex-
claimed another.
Amt We all bound to the same place
all sharing the same dangers-One as good
as another?" demanded broad shouldered
fellow from San Antonio.
Eyes! yesw they shouted.
"Then don't it look low-down mean for
this ere man Joseph to. edge away from us
as if we we're pizen?" If he's 80 mighty re-
fined and high toned, why didn't he come
out here in a balloon?"
There was laugh from the circle, and
the Texan went on.
II don't purtend to be an angel, but I
know manners as we'll as the next. I be-
ieve that man Joseph is regular starch,
finger at him, and I'm goin over to his wa
gon to pull his nose!"
"That's the game, Jack! Coin, old fellow!
'Rah from the man from Texas!" yelled the
gold hunters, as they sprang to their feet
Come right along and see the fun, 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 his brother, eating
their frugal supper. AS the crowd came near
the boy sprang up and climbed into the COW
cred wagon, while Joseph 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
O yours don't like our style! Are we kerrect?"
have nothing against any of you," quiet
" replied Joseph 1.-The journey thus far
has been very pleasant and agreeable to us. !"
But you hang off and don't speak to us!"
persisted Jack.
Il am sorry if have incurred any mans
i'll will. I feel friendly toward you ALL"
ooh, 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, 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
cried out:
"Joseph! Joseph"
A softer light came into the mans face
The Texan noticed it, and, slapping Joseph's
face he blurted out:
IF ye amt coward yell resent that
sure!'
A boyish figure sprang from the wagon
and stood beside the lone man. A small
hand was laid on his shoulder, and voice
whispered in his ear:
"Bear the insult for nv sake"
There was full minute in which no one
moved. Joseph's face looked ghostly white
in the gloom, and they could see him trem-
bile.
"He's coward, just as I thought" said
the Texan, as he turned away. The others
followed him, some feeling ashamed and
others surprised or gratifed, and by and
by the word had reached every wagon that
Joseph and Joseph's brother were towards.
Next morning, when the wagon train was
ready to move, the captain passed near Jo-
seph's wagon on purpose to say:
IF there are any towards in this train
they needn't travel with us any further.
It was a cruel thrust. Joseph was har-
Messing his horses, and the brother was
slowing away the cooking utensils. The
strange mans face grew white again and his
hand went down for his revolver, but just
then voice cried out
Don't mind it, Joseph, wei go on alone. -
"The train moved off without them, some
Of the gold hunters Haunting and joking,
and others fearful that the two would be
butchered by the Indians before the day
was over. When the white topped wagons
were SO far away that they seemed no larger
than his hand, Joseph moved along on the
trail, his face stern and dark, and so busy
with his thoughts that he did not hear the
consoling words:
''Never mind, Joseph; we are trying to
DO r1ght
That night, when the wagon train of the
gold hunters went into camp they could not
see the lone wagon, though many of the
men, ashamed Of their conduct, looked long
and earnestly for it. They had seen Indi-
ans afar off, and they knew that the red
devils would pounce down upon the single
team as soon as they sighted it.
Darkness came, midnight came, and thu
sentinels heard nothing but the stamping
of the horses and the bowls Of the coyotes
At two o'clock the reports Of rifles and tn
fierce yells of Indians aoated up through
the little valley, and the camp was aroused
in q moment.