Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-07-09
Written Expressly for the Green Mountain Freeman.
w A DO;
LIFE ON THE BORDER.
A ROMANCE OF THE STRUGGLE FOR
FREEDOM IN KANSAS.
Continued.
CHAPTER xiv.
A Kansas "Court Of Justice. >

CHAPTER xiv.
A Kansas "Court Of Justice
Although Waldo knew it would be COM
parativey easy thing for his enemies to obtain
a court which would condemn him, yet he did
not believe they would attempt it. Since the
affair at the cabin of Melville, his name had
been known to all Free State men, and they
looked upon him as the champion of human
rights against wrong and oppression. Nor was
he less conspicuous to the Slaveocracy of the
Territory and there was great excitement in
Lecompton when it was known that he was
prisoner. As yet the Free State men had made
but comparatively little resistance to the wrongs
they had received, but a time had now come
when it seemed to their enemies they could rc-
main no longer silent This was the true rea-
son why they did not wish Waldo to be brought
before a legal tribunal, for they feared if he
was thus tried, it would come to the knowl-
edge OF his friends, and cause them to rise in
arms for his rescue.
On the morning following the confinement Of
Waldo at Lecompton, there might have been
seen posted in various parts of tho town, a
placard to the following effect:
"The friends of Law and Order are requested to meet
at the house of - this evening to consider upon mat
ter Of the vital Importance to the peace and
ty Of the Territory of Kansas. full attendance is
earnestly desired''
The uninitiated might have read and re read
this notice dozen times, and yet have seen
nothing wrong about it. 1t purported to be a
call for meeting of the Law and Order citi-
zens, but those who had been gifted by peep
behind the scenes,'' too well knew that it was
but Pro-Slavery meeting for the purpose Of
carrying out some design for the propagation
and extension of Slavery in the Territory. This
) faet,was only the more apparent from the fact
that the meeting was 10 be held at the house Of
q noted Slavery extensionisl, and one who had
acted prominent part in the struggle between
Freedom and Oppression in Kansas. The idea
that u Free State man would attempt to attend
such meeting was simply absurd, and when
they read the notice, they simply passed on
without remark, patiently awaiting whatever
developments might be made when the night
came.
As the night drew on, men might have beer
seen hurrying towards the place of meeting
with eager steps. 1t was evident that an unu
sual excitement prevailed, for the crowd gath
cred in little groups about the building, ant
discussion waxed loud and warm.
As the crowd stood thus talking, their atten
tion was, for moment, Withdrawn from tb
subject under discussion, towards a curiou
looking figure which was moving at slow
halting pace towards the spot they occupied H.
1t was boy, who, judging from his appearance
had experienced the misfortune Of becoming
cripple. His clothes were much tattere(
though neat, and his feet being without cove
ing, were red with cold Added to the lamo
ness which he exhibited, there was arg
hump upon his back, compelling him to ben
over as he walked, so that his face was onl
visible when he made an effort to raise his hea
out of its usual position. As he reached tt
house, he looked up and gazed an1iously oy'
the company assembled, as if to see if some OF
would not take pity on his unfortunate cond
tion, and ask him to stop. Seeing that thei
was no probability ef this being the case, h
neared one of the men, and turning up h
pale, careworn face, asked in a voice Of ST
and tender entrea,y-
Will you be SO kind, sir, as to permit II
to go in and warm mo! am very cold.''
DO you know where you are! " asked Il
person addressed.
mo- | am sure don't"
Well, you are in just the wong place
ask chance to stay, for we are going to have
private meeting here, tonight, and don t adr
strangers"
Z" Bot, sir, only ask place by your fire
warm me for a few moments. Pray let me il
Jones'" exclaimed voice from the crov
." let the devil go in. What good or hurt
he do, should like to know
/" ltappears to me, Col. Jacobs, that it wo
not be exactly desirable to have our proceedi
known to every one and who knows but W
he may be the very one to tell them y
.'Pooh! I'll risk it, He is simplct
that is evident from his looks, and III wa
any sum you choose, that he can't tell whet
Kansas is State or Territory"
.rm bound to see how much he does kl
before he goes in, at all events exclai
Jones, approaching the boy " Do you resid
this Territory he asked
" Territory what's tina, replied the
ject addressed, gazing into the queStioner's
with u look of innocent amazemcnt.
:" This is "a Territory where you are nov
Have you always lived here''
'sGuess not. Used to live in Nilsson
don't live nowhere now, cause they said /
fool" replied the boy with an idiotic stare
{" What's your name9"
Don't know-hain't got any"
"Didn't you ever have one
"Not as knows on-cant remember 6
I'm fool and don't know nothing"