68 THE FAIR COURIER.

 

“‘ And can no man be found to risk his
life for his country, even on so perilous a
service?” said the farmer in a tone of sur-
prise, not unmingled with mortification.

“None. The effort to reach Sumter
would be fruitless. The bravest man will
hesitate to throw his life away.”

“God protects those who devote them-
selves to the good of their country,” said
Geiger. “If I could bear the fatigue of the
journey, I would not shrink from the ser-
vice an instant.”

“You would commit an act of folly.”

“‘No—of true devotion to my country,”
replied the farmer warmly. “ But,” he
added in a saddened voice, ‘‘ what boots it
that I am willing for the task. These feeble
limbs refuse to bear me on the journey.”

Emily Geiger, the daughter, heard all
this with feelings of intense interest ; and
as she had often said before, so she said
now, in the silence of her spirit: “Oh that
I were a man!” But she was simply a
young and.tender girl, and her patriotic