The Rock Island Argus., 1882-01-07
JosEPH's BROTHER.
BY BRET HARTE.

They didn't call him Tom, or Jack, OF
Harry, but always spoke of him as
''Joseph's brother. And it was just as
singular that they didn't call him 'sJoe''
instead Of Joseph when speaking oi
the man.
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 te
each other, and their lives and their ac-
tions were sort of mystery to the rest,
who were jolly set, drinking, carous-
ing, fighting and playing cards, and
wishing for brush with the Indians.
Some said that Joseph was a fugitive
from Justice, and that he wouldn't fra
ternize with them for fear of betraying
himself when interrogated. Others
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 if little sunshine would
ekill the boy, growled one Of dozen
gold hunters sitting around their camp
fire in the twilight.
Perhaps he thinks our language isn't
high-toned enough-blast his eyesl'' ex-
claimed another.
ssAin't we all bound to the same
place, all sharing the same dangers,
one as good as anotherpn demanded
a broad-shouldered fellow from San An
tonic.
''Yesi yesin they shouted.
t'Then don't it look low-down mean
for this 'ere man Joseph to edge away
from us as if we were pizen? II he's so
mighty refined and high-toned, why
didn't he come out here in a balloonp'
There was a laugh from the circle and
the Texan went on.
II don't purtend to be an angel, but
know manners as well as the next /
believe that man Joseph is regular
starch ready to wilt down as soon as I
pint my finger at him, and I am goin'
over to his wagon and pull his nose!'
That's the game jack Go in, old
fellow. 'Rah for the man from Texas!''
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 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 cl1mb-
ed into the covered wagon, while Joseph
slowly rose up and looked at them anxi-
ously and inquiringly.
''See here, Mr.. Joseph, what's your
other namep' began the Texan, as he
halted before the lone man. 1--WE have
come to the conclusion that you and that
BOBBY brother o yours don't like our
style. Are we kerect?''
Il have nothing against any of you,o
quietly replied Joseph. 1.-The journey
thus far has been very pleasant and agreo-
able to u.s.
"But You hang off-you don't speak
TO us" persisted Jack.
II am sorry if / have incurred any
mans i'll will, feel friendly towards
you ALL
"Oh, you do, eh?'' sneered the Tex
an. feeling that he was losing ground.
t.W ell it my opinion you're a sneak"
Joseph's face turned white, and the
man saw dangerous CLEAN in his eyes.
He seemed about to speak ormake some
movement, when a soft voice from the
wagon called out:
'.Joseph, Josephr'
A soft light came into the mans face.
The Texan noticed it, and slapping Jo-
seph' s face, he blurted out:
IF ye amt a coward, yen resent that.
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 it for my sake"
There was full minute, in which no
ly white in the gloom, and they could
see him tremble.
.'He's is coward, just as Thought
said the Texan as he turned away. The
others followed him, some feeling
and others surprised or grati- |
fed, and by and by the word reached |
every wagon that Joseph and Joseph's
brother We're towards.
Next morning when the wagon train |
was ready to move, the captain pass
ed near Joseph's wagon on purpose to
say:
III there are any towards in this |
train, they needn't travel with us any
further
1t was cruel thrust. Joseph was
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 |
out:
Don't mind it. Joseph, Wen go on
aloner'
The train moved off without them;
some of the gold hunters taunting and
obing, and others fearful that the two
would be butchered by the Indians be-
Tore the d2y was over. When the
wagons got so far away
that they seemed no larger than his
band, Joseph moved along the trail,
MS face stern and so busy with the
thoughts that he did not hear the consol-
ng words:
Never mind, Joseph, we are trying
odo right.
That night when the wagon train of
he gold hunters went into camp, they
.calti not see the lone wagon, though
many of the men ashamed of their con-
luct, looked long and earnestly for it.
They had seen Indians afar off, and
new that the red devils would pounce
own upon single team as they sight
d it.
Darkness came, midnight came, and
he sentinels heard nothing but the
tamping of the horses and the howls