WINTER IN THE TERRITORY—STATE LEGISLATURE. 193 
The house is entirely of black walnut; the finish, doors, win¬ 
dow-casings, and mantels, of the same, all nicely polished. The 
paper of white satin, with a neat flower, in one room, while pretty 
wood-colors, in rosebuds and leaves, cover other walls, and give the 
whole a pleasing contrast. The furniture is mostly of the same 
wood, in pretty styles, while library, seraphine, pictures, which I 
prize both for their beauty and my long vested rights in them, with 
many other treasures of my girlhood, make this new home seem 
indeed like the old one, though so far transplanted. I would ex¬ 
change its simplicity for no place where art and splendor have sway, 
while possessor of such living beauty as spreads itself around us. 
In my drives of the last few weeks circumstances have brought 
me in contact with people of various mould, and I have been a 
learner of life by contrasts. The illness of a lady called me to 
the low door of her dwelling. It was built against a rock in a 
side hill, that forming one side.. Logs and thatch completed the 
remaining sides and roof. The inside had the same rough aspect. 
Hude tables, of home-made manufacture, and three-legged stools, 
with one rocking-chair, completed the furniture. Several little 
children, neatly though poorly dressed, clung around the sad- 
looking mother, upon whose brow care had furrowed deep lines; 
but whose manner and appearance betokened better days than 
these in the past. Although ill, she was performing some domes¬ 
tic drudgery. She had friends east who would feel sadly did they 
know the circumstances which surrounded her here. The trials 
of the Kansas home had been many, yet she was still hopeful. 
Assuring her that anything we could do for her comfort should be 
gladly done, and thinking what a sad, thorny way the life-path 
is to many, we bade her “ good-by.” 
Another day our fleet horses took our guests and us ',o see a 
person whose acquaintance was formed on the river, who was now 
boarding about six miles from Lawrence. The carriage halted in 
front of a large cabin, or two cabins rather, the space which is 
usually left open between them being made into a broad hall. Gr. 
said, “This is Judge W.’s.” The lady whom we came to see 
opened the door before w T e reached it, being glad to see a familiar 
face. She was very pretty and intelligent, and the mother’s heart 
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