190 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



the office of a large city newspaper, provided 

 with the customary manuscript, but anxious 

 before delivering it to ascertain what were 

 the chances of war betwixt the United States 

 and any of the other Great Powers, England 

 in particular. Having been assured by the 

 editor that peace for ten years at least might 

 in his opinion be confidently expected, the 

 warrior proceeded to hand over to the editor 

 a formidable-looking document, tied with red 

 tape. 



' What is it about ?' inquired the editor, 

 taking it gingerly. 



The visitor straightened himself up proudly. 



' It is an appeal, sir, to the patriots of this 

 great and glorious Republic, sir, to defend the 

 nation's honour at whatever cost of blood and 

 treasure, sir, and that article announces that 

 I desire to enlist a thousand men at once 

 who will be ready at a moment's notice to 

 lay down their lives, with me at their head, in 

 defence of liberty and our native land. We 

 must defy all foreign Governments, sir, and 

 effete monarchies, and I desire to go upon 

 the record, sir, as a patriot with blood to 

 shed upon my country's altar.' 



