Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-05-07
Continued,
CHAPTER w.
Hams Adventures.

Some ten miles distant from whsFc the city
q Eawfehce now stands, there was situated at
the time of tho opening Of our tale, a small
cabin. Unlike most log cabins which new
mentioned was made of smoothly hewn logs,
accurately fitted together. and at distance it
presented quite neat appearance. A neat,
white fence surrounded it, and flowers had just
begun to show their heads in the little yard in
front. Around the house the trees had been
felled for quite distance, and the freshly-turn
ed ground told that the husbandmans hand
had not been idle.
Some distance from the cabin swept the p:ai
rie, which for many acres had been shorn of its
long grass and made ready to receive the seed
whose harvest was to furnish the'new settlers
their sustenancc. Several horses and herd Of
cattle were cropping the grass around the cot,
and from the appearance Of thingsit was evil
dent that the owner was determined to make
the spot his home, despite the internal commo
tions, the strife, bloodshed and rapine, which
was of every day occurrence in the Territory.
A bill had passed both Houses of Congress
I which was the inauguration of strife, sectional
divisions, and civil war. From every hamlet at
the North the prayers of sire and son ascended
20 Him who ruleth the destinies of nations,
that the fair and fertile plains Of Kansas might
echo to the songs of free people. They pray
ed that the crack of the slave-driver's whip
might never resound over the backs of down
trodden humanity upon soil which until now
had been consccrated 10 Freedom Already
was the peculiar institution P" eating like d
canker worm into the very heart of our nation,
alternating the North from the South, and STIR
ring up the most bitter hatred among the two
sections of our Republic, where nothing but
peace, amity, and brotherly love should exist.
-<fhr struggle in Kansas had already begun, and
border life to the Northerner, was one to try
the stoutest heart. 1t was but struggle be-
tween Freedom and Slavery-free soil and free
speech against the slave oligarchy OF the South ;
and the grand principle whose truth will al,
ways stand--proclaimed by one whose mantle
has not fallen on succeeding generations, that
all men are created free and equal,' WIS
made to read, " ercept aiggcrs. The fact was
openly avowed that free speech could not be
tolerated upon Southern soil.
Every day new outrases were committed up
IN tho detenceless settlers by men who, with
,elf.constituted authority, made arrests anC
cried and condemned those who were obnoxiou!
so their views. Day by day scores poured into
Inc Territory from Missouri, and their course
was marked by bloodshed and rapipe. Th,
mnc,ity of mans hearth-stone was invaded
and his heart -treasures-his wife and children
we're not exempt from the insults of . Borde
RufhanS." In word, anarchy and confusion
reigned supreme but already there was a spir
it slowly. yet surely gaining ground, which Wa
destined to show the desolators of Kansas, tina
The reptile, though trod upon, may turn an
give the death.bow to its destroyer.
Charles Melville had emigrated to Kansa
with his two children and youth who acted
the capacity of servant. Unfortunate in bus
ness, he had emigrated to the spot he now occl
pied in hopes that the alluvial soil might yiel
him subsistence, and the comparative solitud
tina, peace of mind which had long been deni.
him Six months had passed swiftly by ar
as yet no incident had occurred TO mar the ha
Iiness which he enjoyed.
In personal appearance, he was one Of n
tares noblemen. He had been educated in
Of the best New England colleges and his mi
was we'll stored with fund of valuable info
nation. His chldreny also, had received u Ii
efal education and it might be supposed I'll
removing from the fashionable circle in whi
they had always been accustomed to ming
would have been q hard task to them but t
adventurous spirit of young Melville was abu
dantly gratitied at the change Irene Melvi
was one of those beings who are not often fou
|, within the pale of the fashionable world
. had failed to be spoiled by fattery, and the p
cepts and examples surrounding her att Frer
boarding school, had made no effect upon
natural fund Of good sense, except to open
ewes wider to the fact of the hollowness of m
outward accomplishments. She deiested W
was called fashionable conversation, PREFER
to discuss history or poetry, rather an
sentimental trash she was accustomed to h,
In her city home she had reigned beesupre
and no one dared to dispute her title. +
was beauty which did not consist in pei
cunplexion, and checks made to blush by
auplioatioa Of rouge. Her finely formed &C
teaance, high Intellectual forehead, dark, ,sp'
ling eyes, cheeks blooming with the rose tir
health, aud braids of glossy auburn hair, SC
ranged as to give her an air Of classic bea
were given her by nature.
The afternoon Of u somewhat snltry and
pressive day, was drawing to o close. Mr..
vile was sitting on the steps OF his cabn,W
Irene was. seated spon moss covered stone
by. oysyshadowed by the vines of the no
suekle aud migniopette.. Her head was res