William L. D. Ewing, Stephen T. Logan, Jesse K. Dubois
and Governor Duncan. You can not wonder that I feel like lying low until
I can see my way a little more clearly. I have met here a young man from
your state of the name of Stephen A. Douglas. He is twenty-one years old
and about the least man I ever saw to look at but he is bright and very
ambitious. He has taught school and studied law and been admitted to the
bar and is bristling up to John J. Hardin in a contest for the office of
State's Attorney. Some pumpkins for a boy of twenty-one I reckon. No
chance for internal improvements this session. Money is plenty and next
year I think we can begin harping on that string. More than ever I am
convinced that it is no time for anti-slavery agitation much as we may
feel inclined to it. There's too much fire under the pot now."

* * * * *

Soon after the new year of 1835 Samson and Harry moved the Kelsos to
Tazewell County. Mr. Kelso had received an appointment as Land Agent and
was to be stationed at the little settlement of Hopedale near the home of
John Peasley.

"I hate to be taking you so far away," said Samson.

"Hush, man," said Kelso. "It's a thing to be thought about only in the
still o' the night."

"I shall be lonesome."

"But we live close by the wells of wisdom and so shall not be
comfortless."

Late in the afternoon Harry and Samson left the Kelsos and their effects
at a small frame house in the little village of Hopedale. The men had no
sooner begun to unload than its inhabitants came to welcome the newcomers
and help them in the work of getting settled. When the goods were
deposited in The dooryard Samson and Harry drove to John Peasley's farm.
Mr. Peasley recognized the big, broad-shouldered Vermonter at the first
look.

"Do I remember you?" he said. "Well, I guess I do. So does my barn door.
Let me take hold of that right hand of yours again. Yes, sir. It's the
same old iron hand. Many Ann!" he called as his wife came out of the
door. "Here's the big man from Vergennes who tossed the purty slaver."

"I see it is," she answered. "Ain't ye comin' in?"

"We've been moving a man to Hopedale and shall have to spend the night
somewhere in this neighborhood," said Samson. "Our horses are played
out."

"If you try to pass this place I'll have ye took up," said Peasley.
"There's plenty of food in the house an' stable."

"Look here-that's downright selfish," said his w