The Yale expositor., 1912-06-20
The Younger
Brother
By CORA HATHORNE SYKES

plulllS anu ulltIWuiu the hiouheoAhS
Oh their way to the then new gold
diggings in California two young fell
lows attached themselves to a wagon
train leaving st. Joseph, Mo. They
were known as Jack and Joe Laraway
and were understood to be brothers.
Jack was the stronger OF the 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
younger brother usually grows up to
rely on the elder. At any rate, Joe
Laraway did not count for much
among the men of the expedition or
the women either, for that matter.
In those days the Indians infested
the plains, and every man in a wagon
train, in case Of an attack, was ex-
pected to do his duty. The train to
which the Laraway brothers were at
tached consisted of but three wagons,
and there were but dozen men to
protect about as many women and
children. On the plains outriders
fanked the party as vedettes, and at
night wagons and mules were arrang-
ed as corral. One day when passing
over rolling ground Joe Laraway was
one Of the vedettes. Suddenly he
came galloping in, reporting that while
riding up TO Il 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 a sheet.
4 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 evidently
trying To infuse courage into Joe, while
Joe appeared very much excited. That
night till u O'clock onehalf the men In
the party stood guard, expecting an at.
tack, the rest sleeping on their rifles
Jack Laraway when the watch was
changed offered to stand in his broth.
ers place. and Joe permitted him to dc
80.
The Indians failed TO show them
selves, and the next morning the march
was resumed without interruption
Joe Laraway from that time was
very much in diSfavor with both the
men and the women Of the party Jack
excused his brother Oh the ground that
he had been Il sickly child and while
growing to manhood had not been abls
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 a 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. His brother was
evidently not made of that stern stuff
men expect and women admire in 8
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 considerable tc
Joe as he had been before the latter
had shown the white feather. Indeed
so kindly disposed were the party to
Jack that whenever he was near tC
observe their treatment Of Joe they re
Trained from showing any contempt
for him.
One 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 un.
fitted to perform the duties required
and he Uack) would perform them for
him
He would also pay literally for
the privilege he asked Anything he
wished was granted, and small space
was set apart for Joe Laraway by NOV.
ing the contents of the wagon. Jack
did IL 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 it. His brother gave
him all the attention he required, and
it was we'll he did, for he might have
died before any of the rest of the party
would have taken him crust of bread
The train numbered slowly across the
plains, then more slowly across the
mountains. 1t required months to make
q journey that is now made in a 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 a little cry |
came from the schooier that electri- |
fled the camp. 1t sounded like some.
thing between a penny trumpet and a
young rooster giving his first crow.
Hes got the croupw exclaimed one.
There 1t Is again--listenr' said an
other.
"My good graciousw exclaimed a