Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-03-23

tiidt dnCuOI Wllcll Tue ShIeS were ClOuu-
less, and the little waves just rocked
my bark, to let alone oft now-now.
when the great waves and pillows are
going over me, do you? I've planted
it firm, and it don't yield; no, 1t don't
yield, but the strain is terrible. God
grant it may carry me into port; oh,
Mr.. Allan say it will. 1t has seemed
to me to-day so dark, so wonderful, so
inscrutable, that he-my Bennie :
Mr.. Allen, there is good wise pur-
pose behind it all. Can you see it ?"
"To bring you nearer the kingdom"
said the minister.
"Oh, don't tell me that; | can't hear
it. God is too wise; He knows that
a hundred such souls as mine are not
worth one of my Bennie's. can suf-
fer if [ am too great a sinner for Gods
grace to save, but Bennie! Bennie
[ have sat here all day, since the news
came wondering, wondering, he was
so good a son, and Mr.. Owens voice
grew almost inarticulate in its emo
tion,-when | gave him to his country,
that not father in all this broad land
made so precious gift-no, not one.
God forgive me if my grief is sin.
Mr.. Allan, the dear boy only slept a
minute, just one little minute, at his
post; [ know that was all, for Bennic
never dozed over a duty. How re-
liable and prompt he was = and Mr..
Owens eye wandered out over the
brown fields with such a wondering
perplexed look. Il know he only fell
off one little second; he was so young,
and not strong, that boy of mine
Why, he was as tall as |, and only
eighteen and now they shoot him
because he was found asleep while
doing sentinel duty" Mr.. Owen re-
pcated these words very slowly, as
if endeavoring to find out their mean
ing: "Twenty-four hours. Where is
Bennie now
1--WE will hope with his Heavenly
Father" said Mr.. Allan soothingly.
''Yes, yes, let us hope; God is very
merciful and Bonnie was so good
do not mean holy" he said correct
ing himself sharply; ''therc is none
hOly-no not one,-but Jesus died
for sinners. Mr.. Allan tell me that
Oh, Bennie, Bennic"
The mother raised herself as she
heard his name called, aud, turning,
said, with a smile: "Don't call so
loud, father. Bennie is not far, off :;
he will come SOON"
God laid his hand on them both,
you see" said Mr.. Owen, pointing to
her, without making any direct reply
"She has not been justly herself since
1t is a merciful thing that she is sort
OF stunned, it seems to me; she makes
no r,-nl Doar r,n+hari if 49,. Le.,--4
was not broken it would almost kill
me to see her so. Bennic was her
idol. told her often God had said,
Chou shalt have no gods before me. "
Mr.. Allan looked in astonishment
at the bowed man as he came now
and stood before him. These few
hours had done the work Of years.
The sinewy frame was tOtte:ing. the
eyes were dimmel |, and the sudden
sorrow had written itself in deep
wrinkles all over his manly face. He
recognized the power of the great
kind heart, simple and almost child
like in its innocent, clinging affection
how could this be reconciled with the
stern, strong head-the head that to
common observers outlined the man
"God have mercy on you; He is try
ing YOU in a furnace seven times heat.
ed" he exclaimed, almost invoiun-
tarily.
"I should be ashamed, father! he
said, when | am a man, to think,
never used this great right arm, =
and he held it out so proudly before
me-'for my country, when it needed
it. Palsy it, rather than keep it al
the pillow.
"Go, Bennie, then go, my boy"
said. land God keep you. God has
kept him | think, Mr., Allan!' and the
farmer repeated these last words
slowly, as if, in spite of his head, hi
heart doubted them.
"Lik- the apple Of his eye, Mr.. Ow
en-, doubt it not!
Blossom had sat near them listen
ing, with blanched check. She haC
not she'd q tear to-day. and the ter
ror in her face had been so very still
no one had noticed it. She had oc
cupicd herself mechanically in th'
household cares, which her mother
condition devolved entirely upon her
Now she answered a gentle tap at th'
kitchen door, opening it to receive
from a neighbor's hand letter. at
from him. was all she said.
Twas like a message from the deaC
Mr.. Owen could not break the sea
for his trembling fingers, and held
toward Mr.. Allan, with the hcl clpless
ness of a child.
The minister opened it, and, obed
ent to a motion from the father, rea
as follows:
Dear Father: When this reache
, you [ shall be in eternity. AT first
seemed awful to me; but | hav
thought about it so much now ths
it has no terror. They say they wi
not bind me, nor blind me, but the
: will let me meet my fate like a MAJ
| thought, father, it might be on tt
. battle field, for my country, and tn;
: when | fell, it would be fighting gil
riously: but to be shot down like
a dog for nearly betraying it, to die f
D neglect of duty oh. father, | wond'
n the very thought does not kill me.-
!. But [ shall not disgrace you. l a
t going to write you all about it, al
when l am gone, you may tell n
comrades. | can't now.