EASTERN EMIGRATION — BORDER MEN. 
31 
an occasional word, was very impressive. The speakers, especially 
the interpreters, had rich mellow voices. Their quick and varied 
intonations, their rapid mode of enunciation, their graceful and 
most expressive gestures, singularly enchain the attention of the 
hearers, and impress upon them the substance of the discourse. 
The interpreter was a fine-looking man, large, well-formed, and with 
intelligence speaking in every feature. 
9th. — Doctor returned with E. from Kansas city. She will 
go with him to Lawrence, and he will return for us in a few days. 
We have some apples sent us from Kansas city. How fresh and 
nice they taste in these warm spring days ! I have been down to 
the creek, half a mile from the house, for water. The well here is 
nearly dry, and most of the water used in this large family is 
brought from the creek. With assistance I succeeded in bringing 
. up a six-quart pail half full of water. A young married lady here, 
from Indiana, whose whole appearance gives evidence of unabated 
health, her lively ways bespeaking a rich fund of good nature, who 
said indeed “ she never knew what it was to be tired,” laughed 
merrily at us, that we have accomplished so great a feat. I enjoyed 
the laugh as much as she, and am quite sure that it borders a 
good deal upon the ridiculous to go half a mile for water, and get 
only three quarts. But one’s strength is not equal always to their 
will, and carrying water is entirely novel business for me. 
1 1th. — Doctor left with E. this morning. Soon after they 
left we were attracted by the sound of carriage wheels, and looked 
out of the window to see what new comers had arrived. There 
was a hack stopping at the gate, and two ladies alighted. In de¬ 
scending the steps at the entrance one of them tripped her foot and 
fell. Erorn the hearty welcome which the ladies received, we knew 
they must be friends, and we were soon introduced to them as the 
sister and daughter of Dr. Barker. The daughter has not seen 
this western home since her remembrance, her parents having 
taken her on to New England when she was a mere child, and this 
is her first return, now that she is “budding into womanhood.” 
How strangely all things -— this log house and perfect solitude 
everywhere, fresh as she is from the sympathies, the gayeties, the 
never-ceasing prattle of young school-girls — must look to her ! But 
