The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-01-12
7JOSEPH'S BROTHER.
BY BRET HARTE.

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T They didn't. call him Tom. or Jack, ol
! Harry, but always sspokel,of him a:
| "Joseph's brother.', And it was Just a,
singular that they didn't call him Joe
instsads Of .sJ Joseph'' when speaking o1
| the man, .4..,-e -ssta.-
The two had wagon in the band
dragging itself toward the Black Hills
day by day and mile by mile. They
messed by themselves, scarcely spoke tC
each other, and their lives and their ac
tions We're u sort Of mystery to the rest
who were 4 jolly set, drinking, carous.
ing, fighting and playing cards, and
Some said that Joseph was fugitive
from justice, and that he wouldn't fra
ternize with them for fear Of betrayins
himself when interrogatcd. Others
thought he felt too proud to mix with
lsocicty, and between the two theories
I he had nearly all Of the men thinking
i'll of him before the wagon trail was
four days travel from Cheyenne.
'.Hc keeps his brother hidden away in
the wagon as if little sunshine would
kill the boy" growled one Of dozen
gold hunters sitting around their camp
fre in the twilight.
Perhaps he thinks our language isn't
high-toned enough-blast his eyes!" ex-
claimed another. $50 ii7,
|, ..Ain't we all bound to the same
place, all sharing the same dangers,
one as good as anOtherp' demanded
broad-shouldered fellow from San An
tonio a.
..Yes! yesr' they shouted.
''Then don't it look low-down mean
for this ere man Joseph to edge away
from us as if we were pizenP II he's so
naighty refined and high-toned. why
didn't he come out here in balloonP"
There was laugh from the circle and
the Texan went on.
II don't puftend to be an angel. but
] know manners as we'll as the next.
believe that man Joseph Is q regular
starch ready to wilt down as soon as l
pint my finger at him, and am goin'
over 70 his iwagoniand pull his nose''
That the tsan,e sJackt Go in, old
fellow. S'Rah for the man from Texasr'
yelled the gold hunters. as they sprang
to their feet. a. -ta,.- .t..,,, -
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 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 climb
slowly rose up and looked at them and-
ously and inquiringly.
'.See hero. Mr.. Joseph, what's your
other name?'' began the Texan, as he
halted before the lone man. eve have
<, h<, oil Ssr hot nd hof
bOoby brother O. yours don't like our
style. Are we kerect?"
Il have nothing against any Of you,"
quietly replied Joseph. 1.-The journey
thus far has been very pleasant and agree
able to u.s."
81 'But you hang off-you don't speak
to u.s., persisted Jack.
Il am sorry if / have incurred any
mans i'll will, 1 feel friendly towards
you ALL"
.'Oh, you do, eh?'' sneered the Tex
an, feeling, that he was losing ground.
'Well it's my opinion your e sneak"
Joseph's face turned white, and the
man saw dangerous gleam in his eyes.
He seemed about to speak or make some
movement, when soft voice from the
wagon called ot:
''Joseph, 'Josephr'
A soft light came into the mans face.
The Texan noticed il, and slapping JO-
seph's face, he blurted out:
s.If We ain't coward, ye' II resent that,
surer' ts
A boyish figure sprang from the wagon
and stood beside the lone man. A small
hand was laid ON MS shoulder, and Q
voice whispered in his ear:
Bear it for my sake"
There was full minute, in which no
one moved. Joseph's face looked ghost
ly.white in the gloom. and they could
see him tremble.
Hes is a coward, Just as Thought"
said the Texan as he turned away. The
others followed him, some feeling
ashamed and others surprised or graft
fed, and by and by the word reached
every wagon that Joseph and Joseph's
brother were towards.
Next morning when the wagon train
was ready to move, the captain pass
ed near Joseph's wagon on purpose to
say:
-'s.If there are any towards in this
train, they needn't travel with US any
further"
1t was a, cruel thrust. Joseph was
Harvesting his horse, and his brother
was slowing away the cooking utensils.
The strange mans face grew white
again, and his hand went down for the
revolver, but just then a voice called
DON'T mind it. Joseph, we'll 60 on
The train moved off without them;
some of the gold hunters taunting and
joking, and others fearful that the two
would be butchered by the Indians be-
fore the day was over. When the
white-topped wagons got 50 far away
that they seemed no larger than his
hand, Joseph moved along the trail,
his face stern and so busy with the
thoughts that he did not hear the cOnsOl-
ing words: D1i
.Never mind, Joseph. we are trying
to do right. y"
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 con-
duct. looked long and earnestly for it.
They had seen Indians afar- of, and
knew that the red devils would pounce
down upon a single team as they sight
ed it.
Darkness came, midnight came. and
the sentinels heard nothing but the
stamping Of the horses and tAa Aowls
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