THE DEATH OF BARBER — THE TREATY. 
155 
astonished by the huge baskets of provisions which were provided. 
Had the Missourians looked in upon the well-filled tables prepared 
on so brief notice, they would have given up the idea of starving 
us to terms; and had New England added her presence among 
the welcome guests, with her well-filled pockets and stocks in trade, 
she would have realized that, in the large open-heartedness and 
freedom from conventionalities of her frontier children, there is 
much of the real, true enjoyment of life. 
During the speeches of the early part of the evening many of 
the ladies stood upon tables ranged around the walls, and their 
position even there was one of compactness. The incidents of the 
last few weeks were recalled, and those of the war recited. The 
bringing in of the cannon through the enemy’s country, and of 
the powder by the ladies, had honorable.mention. A “compro¬ 
mise measure ” also afforded a good deaf of merriment. The first 
week of the invasion a gentleman heard at Lecompton that it 
was the governor’s plan to demand that the arms of the people 
of Lawrence should be delivered up. Upon this gentleman’s 
return to Lawrence, he asked Gen. Robinson what answer he would 
make to such a demand. 
His reply was brief: “I would propose a compromise measure; 
keep the rifles, and give them the contents.” 
Gov. Shannon did not stay to the “ party.” When the morn¬ 
ing came he found his business required his attention at the mis¬ 
sion, and he went on his way. But “Sheriff Jones” was there, 
and there were some there beside who did not cherish that spirit 
of forgiveness and conciliation, which makes man magnanimous 
in the treatment of an enemy; and the general’s party at one 
time came near proving anything but a “peace party.” There 
was a spirit there full of ambition, and a desire for office. And 
while the murder of young Barber was fresh in the minds of his 
friends; while the voice of poor, weak human nature would say 
revenge if the right chord was touched; and while “Sheriff 
Jones,” an officer of the territorial courts, was an invited guest 
of Gen. Robinson, and political capital could be made; with 
what wonderful ingeniousness it wrought to keep alive this spirit 
of revenge in their breasts ! The object was evident to all, and 
