The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-07-03
Difference in tbs immigration of 1857 and isss

ton the difference between the immisFa-
ton of this year and that Of last. In '57,
our country was flooded with young men
who came with carpet bag in hand, and
departed before the season was over. with
no more. Of the men, great many were
those who, just emerging from the store
and workshops of the eastern cities, where
they had all the means and appliances
of civilization and refinement around
them, and never having seen, and know
ing nothing of the hsrdships of pioneer
life, push forth to seek their fortunes in
their little log cabin, with their household
and kitchen furniture, consisting of pair
of blankets, three legged stool, tin pail,
and frying pan; and with their fare cf ba-
con and corn dodgers, they passed the sum-
mer, until securing their claims, they took
carpet bag in hand and wended their way
to the place from whence they came, there
to tell of their experience in Kansas life,
while claiming it.
A great many ladies, too, We remember
having met with on our tramps across the
prairies. We distinctly remember two
ladies from one of the eastern cities-two
ladies of certain age' who, coming to-
Bleeding Kansas" to help heal the
wounds and better their own condition,
took claims. We were canteriDg across
the prairie one sultry day in July-very
hungry we were too, having had neither
supper or breakfast, when we deserted
a little log cabin in the distance-ws rode
towards it, picketed our poney, and were
about knocking at the door when we
heard voice: "Now, tell you what,
Sarah, / think I have got a dead sure
thing on Mr.. b." We retired short dis
tance, and then approached again, giving
notice of our proximity by whistling; we
knocked, the door was opened, and before
us stood as prim specimen of an aged
maiden lady as one we knew in the "Wol-
VERNE State" in times that were, but are
not. The sister of the one before us sat
on her three legged stool at the other side
of the cabin; she rose and came forward,
with "Why, how do you do I? Pm SO
glad to meet you after having been parted
from you for so longs' We started back,
astounded, intending to beat hasty re-
treat, when we were seized by maid No.
2, who exclaimed as she seized us, " You
must not leave US so''-
"No excuse, Charley, for your long
absence. Elder is circuit rider;
he'll be this way in an hour or two, then
we can send down to the neighbors in the
timber, and get some witnesses, then you
and Sarah can be married, and it will be
so nice"
$50 nice, eh?-this is deuced nice. 1
never saw you before."
The fair one who had US in her clutches,
shrieked-"O Lord o Lord it isn't
Charley!' and would have fallen, had we
not caught her and supported her gently
to the bed.
As we turned to the other damseI she
too, was in a state of obliviousness. We
seized a bucket of cold spring water,
which stood near the fire. place, and dash
ing the water into the face of first one,
and then the other, retreated. We got
outside of the door, closed it, peered
through knot hole and awaited the re-
suit.
Soon one looked up, and said very
family 3" Is he gone ? What dreadful
mistake ! Ishall die of shame, l know
/ shall ]" We waited to hear no more.
but mounted otir pony and went on our
way wiser, if not better man. We
never saw them more but have since
learned that they have both married, the
one to "Mr. b." the other to her dear
Charles.
The BEST part of the last years emigra-
ton was yotns ladies' great many of
whom, after having secured their clairtisi
married, and are now in Kansas making
the best of wives and house Keepers
And here we would say, that the scarcity
of young ladies in this Territory is very
pereeptible, and if they will only come
on from the East, we will guarantee that
they can all find loving and devoted hds-
bands.
This year the great bulk of the emf
grants have been mechanics and farmers.
with their families, the very bone and sin
ew of the land just the Kind Of settlers
that we need TO build up and give stabil-
ity to our institutions. The farmer
wends his way from Michigan, Illinois,
Iowa and Indiana, across the prairies with
his big teams of cattle and horses to his
big covered wagons, in which you will
see the wife and little ones, while on the
road walks the head of the family, the
sturdy yeoman who, with his whip in one
hand and his gunin the other, sees to the
cattle and guards, with jealous eye, his
little flock. In that other wagon you will
see the father and mother of the driver,
who, their locks white as snow, and
their years four score and ten, are follow
ing the fortune of their much loved
son. Are going to Kansas to die! What
can equal fathers or a mothers love
Now it is evening, the horses are picket
ed, the cows hobbleG in the timber, and
by the side of the stream; soon the camp
| fire glows, the evening meal is prepared
and partaken of, aud casting all their
cares upon Him who has promised to pro-
tect them, they lie down, and sound il
their sleep until the morning breaks
Then the morning meal is hastily fn.
ished, the cattle are yoked, the horses aie
harnessed, and the train again moves on
At last they reach their journeys end :
temporary shelter is thrown hastily to
4
gether. Then is heard the busy axe
soon comfortable log house is finished
fences are made the land IS plowed, ant
the hardy pioneers who, few shor
weeks or months before, had no house il
which to rest from his labors, has now
good house, a fine farm, his crops couli
not promise better, his cattle could no
/ look finer. and he has . home.
| Then come on, Farmers, We have roor
enough in Kansas for many more. BriB
your wives and children bring ktt
money, and with perseverance, you WI
| do well.
i or The closing sit.ings of Congre.
were free from many Of the usual unpIea.
ant accompaniment. There wss little
, - I-fo--o-. M -,a-zorxaI alforca affr,,