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yet feeling sok er in view of remaining all night with the prairie wolves, in such a place as this, sat demurely in the carriage. Finally I said, "Shall I get out of the carriage?" And the image of patience came forward, saying "Yes," and assisted me out. I knew then that in some corner of his brain there was a plan for new shafts, and a sure prospect for our return to Lawrence. Within two miles of Lawrence we called at the place where we got our weekly supply of butter, which is of the best quality. While the lady of the little log cabin was weighing it out, her husband came to the carriage, and, after talking a moment, went in again to play us some tunes. His fondness for music amounts to a passion, and while living in Ohio he often taught music. He has a large dairy here.

About a mile further on our way home, two gentlemen on horseback, coming from the direction of Lawrence, rode hastily up, and, with a good deal of excitement in their manner, informed us that a large body of Missourians were encamped near Hickory Point; that they threatened to drive off the free-state settlers; and, lastly, that a fight was expected. They desired the doctor to use his influence with the people of Lawrence, to have a force sent out immediately to aid their neighbors at Hickory Point. He said to them he thought it was a ruse," and promised to do nothing until more reliable information should come. One of the gentlemen, who has always been famous here for his words of bravado, and want of bravery in action, said, on parting, "I will send an express every hour."

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22d. The military companies are on drill to-day. A friend sent us a basket of mandrakes. They have a pleasant flavor, but are quite medicinal. The gentleman's "express" is not yet heard from.

A gentleman, living nine miles distant, sent to the doctor this morning to come and see him. He found him quite il with fever, in a little cabin, alone, with no one to take care of him. So, placing the bed in the carriage, he brought him home with him. 23d. The patient was not injured by his ride, but his nervousness exceeded all bounds. We had a quantity of delicious apples. Apples were first brought into market here on the fourth

of this month. A large pailful of grapes was also seat in. These are smaller, and not as sweet as those which ripen in October. We had rain with furious wind beforehand. Such clouds

of dust arose as to hide the town from our sight. Several panes of glass blew out, and, in attempting to put boards at the window, to keep out the pouring rain, we were thoroughly drenched. The little calf in the pen seems frightened too, breaks his rope, leaps the fence, and scuds before the wind like a frightened hare. We have a general hubbub. Mr. C., a lawyer here, was assaulted by Dr. Wood, this afternoon. Dr. Wood invited Mr. C. to his house, saying he wanted to talk with him. On reaching the house, however, he declined to go into it, and took Mr. C. around on the east side of it, and there they sat down. Dr. Wood then asked him if he thought so and so in regard to the settlement of the city property, making his own action in the affair fair and honorable. Mr. C. said he thought not; whereupon Dr. Wood struck Mr. C., with a piece of iron, or a slung shot, upon his head, cutting a deep gash in it. He then ran. Mr. C. soon came into the street, and, as the brave doctor was picking up a stone to throw at the wounded man, several of the citizens gathered around' and put an end to it.

24th. - We were scarcely up this morning before word came that Mrs. L. was dead or dying. She was taken ill last evening. Two of the children are also dead. It is thought their deaths were occasioned by eating very freely of mandrakes yesterday a disease like cholera being the result. Remembering her as I saw her in the little, pent-up cabin, I can rious one, for now there

but think the change a glomust be room, room for the freed spirit, earth's fetters broken. There are now two motherless little girls. The mother and youngest two are buried in one grave.

"Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death!"

28th. As a relaxation, being wearied with constant company and continued care of so large a family, with want of quiet, the doctor proposed a ride to Fish's. With a full carriage load, we made the proposed visit. Fish's is a sort of stopping-place by the way, nine miles from Lawrence, and between thirty and forty

miles from Kansas city. Entertainment for man and beast is found there. The building is of wood, two stories in height. Upon the lower floor are a dining-room, which is also used for general reception-room, and a store of groceries, dry goods, and the et cetera, needful to supply the Indians in this region, while the upper rooms serve for sleeping apartments. The worn traveller, after a ride of thirty-five miles, in the broiling sun, or in the piercing winds, is glad of a rest, even in a building so unhomelike as this.

Mr. Fish, who owns the establishment, is a Shawnee Indian, of education and principle. He is a firm believer in the assertion of the Declaration of Independence, that "all men are born free and equal," and gladly extends the right hand of fellowship to those who come desiring to plant the seeds of truth and freedom in this new country. He would, with us, joyfully welcome the hour, when, grown into a mighty tree, its spreading branches should cover the whole land. Two gentlemen connected with Fish are from Boston. Mr. F., who superintends the culinary department, is from Massachusetts, and our appetites attest to his skill in that line. Some Indian women, who came to the store to trade, sit at the table with us. We talk of their dress and ornaments, understand us, while they gravely listen. When we have ceased commenting, they repeat to Mr. Fish, in Shawnee, what we have said, as he tells us; they seem much amused and laugh heartily. They have the advantage of us, being able to speak English as well as Delaware and Shawnee.

not supposing they can

July 31st. We have had rain as often as every alternate day, for the last week, in gentle showers mostly, and often at night, the days being clear and pleasant. A part of our guests left a few days since, and on the next day, on a short half hour's notice, we had six gentlemen and a lady to dine. We have now very nice melons. The melons, cantelopes, tomatoes, etc., are finer than any I have ever seen elsewhere. Four more strangers were in, in the afternoon, and we were not able to finish our day's work until sundown. To-day the doctor and I took a short ride on horseback, to get away from care. We found other company, on our return, just returned from the regions of Fort Riley. The cholera is

making terrible havoc there, among the men principally engaged on the government works. They are said to have exposed themselves most wilfully, by drinking of poor water, when at a little distance the best was to be had. Major Ogden, a most estimable man, has fallen a victin to the dread disease, also some families of the officers. This afternoon I have been off upon the prairie alone. Was two miles from home at sun-down, and, before I reached it, could not see the path for the darkness, but trusted to "Old Gray." The sick man is so far recovered as to leave.

Aug. 10.

CHAPTER VII.

KANSAS LAWS

GOVERNOR SHANNON.

"All day the low hung clouds have dropped their garnered fulness down."

People begin to come in from the country, miles distant, to the Convention, which is to be held on the 14th and 15th.

On the 2d of July, the Legislature, elected by Missourians, assembled, as ordered by Gov. Reeder, at Pawnee, more than one hundred miles from the border. Mr. Conway, of the sixth district, resigned his seat in the council, on the ground that, having been elected by illegal votes, this pretended Legislature had no claim to that character. The members of the House chosen at the new election, ordered by Gov. Reeder, were deprived of their seats.

On the 4th, the Legislature passed an act, removing the seat of government to the Shawnee Mission, two or three miles from Westport. Gov. Reeder vetoed it, as inconsistent with the organic act.

On the 16th, the Legislature reässembled at that place, and on the 22d, D. Houston, the only free-state member of the Assembly, resigned his seat, not only on the ground that the Legislature was an illegal body, but that, by its removal from Pawnee, it had nullified itself.

The laws passed by the Shawnee Legislature are of an intolerant, Draconian character, allowing to the people of this territory no rights. They are copied from the Missouri statute book, with the exception of those relating to the qualifications of voters of the Legislative Assembly, and the slave code, which are made especially to crush the people of this territory. They allow them no voice in those matters of government which most concern them.

The following is taken verbatim from the " Laws of the Territory

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