Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-03-21
The Younger
Brother
BY CORA HATHORNE SYKES

ell by both names were crossing the
plains aud aftcrward the mountains
on their way to the then new gold
dlggings In California two young fell
lows attached themselves to a wagon
train leaving st, Joseph. Mo. They
were known az Jack and Joe Iaraway
and were understood to be brothers.
Jack was the stronger Of tho two,
both physically and mentally He led
his brother In everything and when
this was commented upon said that
he was the older Of the two and a
younger brother usually grows up to
rely on the elder At any rate, Joe
lAraway did not count for much
among the mon OF the expedition or
the women either. FOR that matter.
In those days the Indians infested
the plains, and every man In n wagon
train, in case of an attack, was ex-
pected to do his duty. Tho train to
which the IAraway brothers were at
tached consisted OF hut three wagons,
and there were but Il dozen mon to
protect about as many women and
children. On tho plains outriders
thanked the party ms vcdcttes. and at
night wagons and mules were arrang-
ell rs II corral One day when passing
over rolling ground Joe laraway was
ono of the vedettes, Suddenly he
came galloplng In, reporting that while
riding up to n rise In the ground an
Indian face had appeared above the
crest. When Joe spoke of the painted
visage of the redskin he turned white
as II sheet
A good deal of contempt was ex-
pressed for the young man for his cow
ardice. His brother took him apart
from the Others, and the two were seen
to talk together Jack very cy IDENTIFY
trying to nfuse courage into Joe. while
Joe appeared very much excited. That
night till II O'Clock one-half the mcn IN
the party stood guard, expecting an ut-
tack, the rest sleeping on their rifles,
Jack IAraway when the watch wns
changed offered to stand In his broth
cr's place, and Joe permitted him to do
SO.
The Indians failed to show them
selves. and the next morning tho march
was resumed without interruption.
Joe Iamway from that time was
very much In disfnvor with both tho
mon and the women OF the party. Jack
excused his brother on the ground that
he had been II sickly child and while
growing to manhood had not been able
to indulge In those sports that manly
boys delight in. He was consequently
not prepared for the sterner realities
that man is expected to encounter.
and the sight OF Il savage In war paint
Is enough to make any man quail who
has not been accustomed to any kind
OF fighting. But Jacks excuses made
very little impression. Ills brother was
evidently not made of that stern stun
men expect ana women admire In a
man.
But what respect was denied Joe was
lavished on Jack. This was due TO the
fact that he was Il very manly fellow
and was so indulgent to his younger
brother. He was Just as considerato to
Joe ms he had been before the latter
had shown the white feather. Indeed,
80 kindly disposed were the party 10
observe their treatment OF Joe they re-
Trained from showing any contempt
for him.
Ono day Jack Laraway asked that his
brother might occupy one Of the wag-
ons alone He claimed that his brother
had an affection that rendered him I'M
/ fitted to perform the duties required
and he Jack would perform them for
him.
He would also pay literally for
tho privilege he asked. Anything he
wished was granted. and n small space
was set apart for Joe Laraway by NOV
ing tho contents Of the wagon. Jack
did II all himself. for so great was the
contempt felt for Joe that no one else
would turn band for him.
When all was completed Joe got
into the wagon and while on the jour
ney did not leave II. His brother gave
him all the attention he required. and
II was well he did. for he might have
died before any OF the rest Of the party
would have taken him a crust OF bread.
The train numbered slowly across tho
plains. then more slowly across the
mountains. II required months to make
a Journey that Is now made In few
| days, and, since there were many de-
lays in this case. nearly half year
elapsed between the starting from the
Missouri river till the arrival at San
Francisco.
Curiosity finally got the better Of the
party TO know what was the matter
with Joe Laraway, for he was not seen
after he took to the wagon. One OF the
women offered TO go In and minister to
the young man, but Jack said that HIS
brother was getting on very well and
preferred not to see any one except
himself But one night little cry
came from the schooner that electri-
fed the camp 1t sounded like some
thing between penny trumpet and a
young rooster giving his first crow.
0IIa'a pof tho prounr' aynIaimad ona