Page:Six months in Kansas.djvu/118

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114
SIX MONTHS


my head. I was not kept long in suspense, for lie " beat " quite early, to call a citizens' meeting. Lawrence was up and dressed early, and as wide awake as his ancestors of Seventy-six.

The prisoner, and those who came to the rescue, were called upon to state the facts, after which my two young friends, Grove L —— and M. F. C ——, made most effective speeches. I learn that they did themselves much credit.

I dare say you may have heard Lawrence spoken of as an ultra, headstrong young sprig, who is always treading upon his neighbors' corns, or otherwise exciting to a fuss. But there never was a greater mistake. Lawrence is a hard-working, mind-his-own-business, money-loving fellow. If he hits your toes, it is not from design, but because his boots are stiff and clumsy and his manner anything but graceful or fascinating. Lawrence has seen hard times in his youth ; has been laughed at by his more prosperous neighbors, till the ragged urchin made a bad matter worse by wasting some considerable emotion upon the subject; looked round fearfully and