ILLS OF PIONEER LIFE. 
77 
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 gen¬ 
eral 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 unhome¬ 
like as this. 
Mr. Eish, 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, 
not supposing they can understand us, while thej- 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. 
July 31 st. —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 sun¬ 
down. 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 ftiley. The cholera is 
7# 
