Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-04-25

life. She had stolen away, leaving only
a note to tell her father where and why
she had gone. She had brought Bennie's
letter with her; no good, kind heart, like
the Presidents could refuse to be melted
by it.
The next morning they reached New
York, and the conductor found suitable
company for Blossom, and hurried her on
to Washington. Every minute now,
might be year to her brothers life
And so, in an incredible short time,
Blossom reached Washington, and was
hurried at once to the White House.
The President had Just seated himself
to his morning task, of overlooking and
signing important papers, when with but
one word of announcement, the door soft
ly opened, and Blossom, with eyes down
cast and folded hands stood before him
'Well, my child" he said in his pleas
ant, CHEEKY tones, "what do you want so
bright and early in the morning? ?'
"Bennie's life, please sir," faltered out
Blossom. W.
"Bennie? Who is Bennie?"
my brother sir. They are going to
shoot him for sleeping at his post"
"0h, yes" and Mr.. Lincoln ran his
eye over the papers before him. "I re
member. 1t was fatal sleep. You see,
child, it was at a time of special danger.
Thousands of lives might have been lost
for his culpable negligence"
''So my father said," said Blossom
gravely, "but poor Bennie was so tired,
sir, and Jenny so weak lie did the
work for two, sir, and it was Jemmy's
night, not his, but Jenny was too tired,
and Bennie never thought about himself,
that he was too tired"
What is this you say, child? come
here, don't understand and the kind
man caught eagerly, as ever, at what
seemed to be justification of an offence.
Blossom went to him; he put his hand
tenderly on her shoulder, and turned up
the pale anxious face towards his. How
tall ne seemed, and he was President of
the United States, too. A dim thought
of this kind passed for a moment through
Blossoms mind, but she told her story
now simple and straightforward, and
handed Mr. Lincoln Bennie's letter to
read.
He read it carefully, then taking up
his pen, wrote few hasty lines, and rang
his bell. tE
Blossom heard this order given:
Send this dispatch at once!
The President then turned to tie girl
and said: Go home, my child, and tell
that father of yours, who could approve
his country's sentence. even when it took
the life of child like that, that Abra-
ham Lincoln thinks the life far too pre-
cious to be lost. Go back, or wait until
to morrow. Bennie will need change
after he has so bravely faced death; he
shall go with you.'
God bless you. SIR said Blossom; and
who shall doubt that God heard and reg
istered the request. ----- ,-,
Two days after this interview the young
soldier came to the White House with
his little sister. He was called into the
Presidents private room, and strap fast
ened upon the shoulder Mr.. Lincoln
said to him, this is for the brave boy who
could peril his life for sick comrade so
uncomplainingly.' Then Bennie and
Blossom took their way to their Green
Mountain home, and a crowd gathered at
the Mill Depot to welcome them back,
and farmer Ovens tall head. lowered
above them all, and as his hand grasped
that of his boy, Mr.. Allen heard him say
fervently, as the holiest blessing he could
pIOnOuuSc upOu HIS -SuLAu' Oueb duO
true are all the ways, thou King of Saints
That night Daisy and Brindle and Bet
came lowing home from pasture, for they
hear well known voice calling them at
the gate; and Bennie, as he pats his old
pets and looks lovingly in their great
brown eyes, catches through the still eve
ming air his Puritan fathers voice, as he
repeats to his happy mother these jubi-
lant words: Fear not, for 1 am with thee;
l will bring thy seed from the East, and
gather thee from the West; i will say to
the North give, and to the South, keep
not back; bring my sons from afar, and
my daughters from'the ends of the earth,
every one that is called by my name, for
l have created him for my glory: l have
formed him, yea, 1 have made him.
Ne71 York Observer. Il