The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-10-14
JOSEPH'S BROTHER.

Harry, but always spoke of HIM aS DO
seph's brother" And it was just as sinSu-
lar that they didn't say joe" instead of
Joseph, when speaking of 10 the man.
The two had II wagon III the band, dHg-
ing itself toward the Black Hills day 10y day
and mile 10y mile They messed 10y them
selves. scarcely spoke except 10 each other,
and their lives ana actions We're IL sort of
mystery To the rest, who Mere jolly set,
drinking, carousing. lighting. playing cards
and wishing for brush with the Indians.
Some said that Joseph was n fugitive from
Justice. and that he wouldn't fratenize with
them for fear of betriying himself when i'll
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 Us if Il little sunshine would kill
the boy" growled one of dozen gold hun
tiers sitting around their camp fire Ill the
twilight.
Perhaps he thinks our language isn't
heightened enough-blast his eyes. en-
claimed another.
Amt We all bound to the same place
all sharing the same dangefs-one rs good
as another" demanded n 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 MS
rs if We were piZen?" IL he's So mighty re-
fined and heightened, why didn't he come
out here in "A balloon:
There Was laugh from the circle, and
the Texan went on.
IL don't Irlrtend Ia be an angel. but |
know manners as we'll as the next. | be-
lieye that man Joseph is regular starch,
ready to wilt right down rs soCn rs | pint my
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-
timed the Texan, rs he led the way toward
Joseph's wagon.
The vehicle formed one in the circle. and
at small fire Il few feet from the hind
wheels sat Joseph and his brother, eating
their frugal supper. As the crowd cam" naar
the boy sprang up and climbed into the COW
cred wagon, while Joseph rose mp and looked
at them anxiously and inquiringly,
See here, Mister Joseph what's your
other name began the Texan. rs he halted
before the lone man, I'VE hey come to the
conclusion that you and that BOBBY brother
Z" yours don't like our style, Are We kcrrcct?'
have nothing against any IF Won, quiet
~ replied Joseph. The journey thus far
has been very pleasant andagreeable to us.
But You hang off and don't speak In uS"
persisted Jack.
Il am sorry if have incurred any man :
i'll will. | feel friendly toward you all.
oh, You do, eh?" sneered the Texan,
feeling that he was losing ground. Well,
it's my opinion that YOU are sneak"
JOseph's face turned white, and the men
saw Il dangerous CLEAN in his eyes. He
Seemed about to speak or make some move
mIent when II soft voice from the wagon
cried out:
Joseph Joseph"
A softer light came into the mans face.
The Texan noticed il. and, slapping Joseph 5
face he blurted ont:
If We amt a coward yell resent that
sure"
A boyish figure spmng from the wagon
and stood beside the lone man. 4 small
hand was laid on his shoulder. and II voice
whispered i'll his ear:
Bear the insult for my sake.
There was full minute in which no one
moved. Joseph's face looked ghostly white
III the gloom, and they could see him trem-
Bile.
Hes IA coward. just as | thought" said
the Texan, rs he turned away. The others
followed him, some feeling ashamed and
Others surprised or gmtifed, 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 DO
seph's wagon on purpose to say:
If there are any towards in this train
they Dapln' travail with M fprfkar
Ii was cruel thrust. Joseph was har-
Messing his horses, and the brother was
slowing away the cooking utensils. The
strange man s face grew white again and his
hand went down for his revolver, but Just
then voice cried out:
Don't mindit Joseph, wen 60 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 5" 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 mini, Joseph; We are trying tG
do right
That night, when the wagon train of tn,
S'" WIN
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 AZ soon as they sighted it.
Darkness came, midnight came, and til,
sentinels heard nothing but the stamping
of the horses and the howls of the coyotes
At two o'clock the reports of rifles and tn,
fierce yells of Indians foated up through
the little valley, and the camp was aroused
in Il moment.
THE devils have jumped in on JOSEPH
and his brother" whispered one of the mel
As he stood on knoll and bent his head I,
listen.
Good huff, towards have no business
out here!" grOwled the Texan.
The first speaker wheeled, struck the ruff
tian sledge hammer blow in the face, ant
then, running for the horses, cried out:
Come on! 4 dozen of us can he sparet
for the rescue"
Sixteen men swept down the valley lik,
the wind. The firing and the yelling con
tinued, proving that the man who had beer
called coward was making a hard fight
In ten minutes they came upon the lone
camp, made light as day by the burning
wagon. Fifty feet from the bonfire, ant