Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-03-16

heard 1t, almost felt as ii it had dealt him
blow.
I THANK God He has not then forsaken
you, and from the depths of this deep
trouble you can still say, "The Maker OF
all dceth we'll"
"Yes, yes''-and for an instant there
glimmered from his dull eye a spark of the
old controversial fire-'you don't suppose
have held on to that anchor when the
SHES were cloudless, and the little waves
just rocked my bark, to let alone of it 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, it don't
yield, but the strain is terrible. God send
it may carry me into port; oh, Mr. Allan
so it will. 1t has seemed to me to-day 50
dark, so wonderful. so inscrutahie, that he
my Bennic Mr. Allan there is a good
wise purpose behind it ALL. Can you see
| It :"
ITO bring you nearer the KINGDOM"
| said the minister.
"Oh. don't tell me that, | can't bear it.
God is too wise; lie knows hundred such
| souls as mine are not worth one of Ben
nie's. can suffer if am too great Il sin
ner for Gods grace to save, but Bennie !.
Bennie. have sat here all day, since the
news came, wondering, wondering ; he was
so good son." and Mr. Owens voice grew
almost inarticulatc with emotion. "Such
dear, precious, noble boy thought.
when | gave him to his country that not a
father in all this broad land made so pre-
cious gift-nOt oHe-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's all, for Hepnie
never dozed over minute. How prompt
and reliable he was +" and Mr.. owen $
eve wandered out over the brown fields.
with such a perplexed, wondering look
Il know he only fell off one little second ::
he was so Young, and not strong, that hoy
of mine. WHY, he was as tall as |. and
| ONLY eighteen and now they shoot him
because he was found asleep when doing
sentinel DUTY" Mr.. Owen repeated these
words very slowly. as if cndeayorine to
! find out their true meaning. "Twenty-
four hours. the telegraph said-ouiy TWEEN
tv- four hour. Where is Bcnnie now -
1--WE will hone with his Heavenly Fa-
ther," said Mr.. Allan, soothincly.
Yes, YES, let us hope: God is very
mcrcifuI. and Benue was SO pood-I do
/ not mean NOW, lie sad, correcting Ul1fl
self sharply. "there is none holy. no. not
one, but Jesus died for sinners. Mr..
Allan: tell me that. Oh, Bonnie, Ben
ME ~
| The mother raised herself up as she
heard his nalne called, and turning, said
with smile:
"Don't call 50 loud, father. Bennic is
not far off he will come SOON
God laid his hand on them both. you
scc." said Mr.. Owen, pointing to her. with
out making any direct rcply. "she has
not been just herself since. 1t i: a
mcrciful thing She is sort of stunned, it
seems to me; she makes no wall. Poor
mother Ii nv heart was not broken ii
would almost kill me to see hear so. Ben
ME was her idol. | told her often, God
had said. "Thou shalt have no Gods be-
fore me-
Mr.. Allan looked in astonishment at the
bowed man as he aame now and stood be-
fore him. These few hours had done the
work of years. The sinewy frame was
totering, the ewes were dimmcd, and the
sudden sorrow had written itself in deel
wrinkles all over his manly face. He re.
cognized the powerot Tie great kind heart
cent, clinging affection how coult, this bt
reconclled with the stern strong head-th,
head that to con.m"n observers out-livel
the character of the man! "God have
mercy on YOU. He is trying you in ,
furnace seyen times hcated,' he cXclaime,
almost voluntarily.
II should be ashamed. father !" he said
"Nhcu | a,n man, to thuk never use,
this great right ARMAND he held it out S,
proudly before me.-for my country, whel
it needed it. Palsy it, rather than keep j
at the plough"
go Bennie. then 90. nv bev," | said
"and God keep YOU. God has kept him,
think, MIR. Alfen" and the farmer repeat
ed these words slowly, as if in spite of hi
head his heart doubted them.
Like tile apple Of his eye, Mr. Owen
doubt it not.
Blossom had sat near them listening
with blanched check. She had not shed ;
tear to day, and the terror in her face hat
been SO very still that no one had notice,
it. She had occupied herself mechanically
in the household cares, which her mother
condition devulved entirely upon her. Nov
she answered 4 gentle tap at the kitchel
door, opening to receive from neighbor'
hand letter. 1T was from him" vas al
she said.
Twas like message from the dead
Mr.. owen could not break the seal 10
his trembling fingers, and hold 1t towar'
Mr.; Allen with the helplessness OF
child.
The minister oDened it, and 0bedient L