Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-04-05
Sf(isttllaneous,
THE HEROINE OF FORT HENRY.

ii VT
The garriosn of Fort Henry being grent-
" reduced in numbers, and their am
munition wholly exhausted the COM
mander called for volunteers to go for
powder.
Four young men instantly sprang for
ward and almSst in the same breath,
each exclaims:
81 will 60"
"But we can spare but one of you, my
noble ladsr' says the Colonel, while his
features flush, and his dark eye sparkles
with pride, at the sef-sacrificng bravery
Of his young comrades. (Which shall
it be 2"
"Me - cries one II spoke first"
"No, no, john was ahead Of you."
''No YOU wasn't, Abe--no such thing"
al will leave it to the Colonel, if he
didn't hear my voice first of any p cries
third.
was before you, Joe; | call all here to
witness - exclaims the fourth.
"Ilo listen to Robert was first, !
tell you 20 cries Joe.
"No | was first % cries John. "You
know | was Colonel -
"Dut tell you | am going-for | can
run the fastest, and therefore will stand
the best chance Of getting back alieve!'
cries Abe.
IL can run ms fast MS the best, and I'm
much stronger than either Abe, Joe, or
Robert" says John. laying his hand on
the Coloncl's arm. Let me go--do =
And besides, I've got no mother or sister
here to mourn for me, If fall"
"There !" cries one of the othcrs--he
talks as if he might fall and I'm sure |
could get back safely"
Look at their flushed faces. and eager,
sparkling eyes, and thus they wrangle for
the privilege of being permitted to go
forth to almost certain death for the
chances are five hundred to one, that he
who leaves the fort for the village will
never return alive. Aud Listen to the
murmors of appreciation which come
from the surrounding circle of females
a mother looks iondly on her son--a sis
ter looks proudly on her brother-and a
maidcn's heart swells with emotions un.
speakablc, as she hears him who is the light
ana illc OF ncE Wblli, pbiNlN ''HN'l'' l'i
the right OF being allowed to go forth in
10 peril from which most men would
shrink aghast.
Come come !" chides the Colonel,
at length, speaking almost sternly to the
now angry disputants-'you will ruin
all unless some of you yicld--ior the
Indians may renew hostiitics at any mo-
ment and then we are lost indeed. You
are all brave. noble fellows; and if ]
could spare four, you should all go; but
as it is. three of you must give way to the
fourth; and | pray You do so speedily;
Tor time is precious"
81 will never yield !" cries one.
"Nor % exclaims n second.
81 will go, il have to scale the walls
to get out" says third.
Colonel. am the strongest and fleet
est, and was tho first to accept your Of
fer; end demand, therefore, that yo,
settle the dispute by sending me %
Look In the circle of men. womcr
and children that are now promiscuously
gathered around these hot, eager, passion
ate youths. do you observe one human
face that wears very singular expression
that seems to be animated by some strang
and powerful emotions II is the fac
Of a young and beautiful female. nbou
whom there is certain air of relinemcn
seen in the grace of attitude, dress, ans
general demeanor-w which contrasts rath
er forcibly with many of her course.featur
ed, rustic companions. Rut ! wish yo'
To observe that face particularly - no
alone for It's beauty--hut to mark the eX
preston Of noble. lofty. heroic resolv
which is settling upon it ! DO you se
the head gradually Strengthening back, n
If with pride---do you see those dark
bright eyes kindle with the almost fandt
icsl enthusiasm of daring sclfsacrIicc--
do you SEQ the warm blood spring up
ward to the temples. and broad, whit
forehead, and finally settle in bright roo
spot upon either soft, downy check, as i
the passion fires Of mighty soul wcr,
already burning within---do You see the
thin. determined lips gradually close over
those white. even teeth?
There she moves; and mark, | pray
you, the proud step. as she advances into
the center OF the circle, and catches an
eyes and sweeps the whole group CO.. euri-
ous and anxious spectator, with a light.
ming glance And now her thin lips
as she speaks in clear, silver tones There
Is no quivering, no trcmulousnnss, in hen
yoice-and every other voice .s AusAcl
Listen