The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-02-09
name called, and turning, said with smile
'Don't call 80 loud, father. Bennie is not far
of he will come soon"

Ing any direct reply. "Shc has not been just
ly herself since. 1t is merciiul thing she is
sort Of stunned il seems to me; she makes no
wall. Poor mother! il my heart was not
broken, it would almost kill me to see her so.
Bennic was her idol. ! told her often, God
has said, Thou shalt have no other gods before
mo-
| Mr.. Allan looked in astonislmcnt ut tho
bowed man as ho came now and stood before
him. These low hours had done the work oI
years. The sinewy frame was tottcring, the
, oyes were dimmed, and the sudden sorrow had
written itself in deep wrinkles all over his
manly face. Ho recognized the power OF the
great, kind heart, simplo and almost childlikc
in its innocent, clingng affection; how could
this be reconciled with the stern, strong head
tho head that 10 common observers outlined
| the character of tho man Z "God have mercy
on you; Hc is trying you in furnace seven
times hcdtcd,' he exclaimed, almost invOlun-
tarily.
~ should be ashamed, father bo said,
| when aiu man. to think never used this
great right arm and no held it out 80 proud.
! " before mo,-'for my county, when it need.
cd it. Palsy it, rather than keep it at the
plough"
"'Go, Bonnie, then, go my boy, said, 'and
God keep you God has kept him, think.
Mr.. Allan" and the farmer repeated these last
words slowly, as il, in spite Of his hcad, his
heart doubted them.
"Like the apple Of his eye, Mr.. Owen. doubt
it not"
blossom had sat near them listening, with
hlanclcd check Sho had not shed tear 10
day. aud the terror in her face had been 90 very
still no one had noticed it. Sho had occupied
herself mechanically in tho household cares,
which her mothers condition devolvcd entirely
upon her. Now she answered gentle tap at
ths kitchen door, opening it to receive from a
neighbours hand letter. "lt is from him."
was all she said.
Twas like message from the dead Mr..
Owen could not break the seal for his trembling
fingers, and held it towaeds Mr.. Allan with the
hclplcssncss Of child.
The minister opened it, and obcdicnt to n
motion from the father, read as follows:
"Dcar Father :---When this reaches you,
shall be in eternity. At first, il seemed awful
to mo; but have thought about it 30 much
now, that il has no terror. They say they will
not biud me nor blind mo, but that | may meet
my death like man. | thought, father, ii
might have been on the battlefield, for my
country, and that, whon~I fell. it would bo
fighting gloriously. But to be shot down like
u dog, for nearly bctrayng it, to die for neglect
of duty - oh, father, | wonder the very
thought docs not kill me. But shall not die
grace you. ] am going to write you all about
it, aud when am gone, you may tell my com
radcs, can't now.
"Yon know promised Jenny Carr's mother
would look after her boy, and when he fell
sick did all could for him. He was not
strong when ho WAS ordered hack into the
ranks, and tho day before that night, carried
all his luggage besides INV own, on our march.
Toward night we went in on double quick, and
though tho luggage began to feel very heavy,
everybody elso was tired too, and ir had not
lent him an arm now and then. ho would have
dropped by tho way. WAS oil tired out when
we came into camp, and then II was Jeminy's
turn to be sentry, and would take his place
but was too tired father. | could not have
kcpt awake, il had had II gun ut my head,
but did not know it until-wcll, until it was
too la,o."
God he thanked" interrupted Mr.. Owen,
rcverontly, al knew Bennc was not tho boy to
sleep carelossly at hia post"
"rhey tell mo to-day that have short re-
pricvo. given tu me by circumstances time to
write to you, our good Colonel says Forgive
him, father, no only docs his duty. IIo would
gladly save inc II he could; and don't lay up
my dcatl, against Jenny. Tho poor hoy IL
broken hclrted, aud does nothing hut beg and
enireat them to lot him dio in my stead
III can't bear to think Of mother and Bios
som. Comfort them, father! Tell them die
az brave boy should, and that when tho war
is over, they will not BE- ashamed Of me as they
must bc now. God help me, it is very hard to
bear. Goodbye, father. God seems near and
dear to mo. not at all rs if he wished me to
perish forever, but as If he felt sorry for his
poor, sinful, brokcn.hcartcd child, and would
take him to DO with him and my Saviour in
better-bettcr lile."
A great sob burst from Mr.. Ovens heart.
"Amcn!" he said solcmnly. "Amen ~
"To.night in the early twilight shall sec
the cows all coming homo from pasture. Dai.
sy and Brindlc and Bot; old Billy, too, will
neigh to me from his stall. and precious little
Blossom staud on the back stoop waiting TOR
mc--but shall novcr-never come. God bless
you all forgive your poor Bcnnic.'
Late that night the door Of the "back stoop'
opened softly, and little figure glidcd out and
down tho lootpath that led to tho road by the
mill. She seemed rather flying than walking.
turning her head neither to the right nor lett
starting not as the full moon stretched queer
fantastic shapes all around her, looking only
now and then to Heaven, and folding her
hands, as il in prayer.
Two hours later, the samo young girl stood
ut tho Mill Depot, watching the coming OF tho
night train, and the conductor, rs he reached
down to lift her in, wondered ut the sweet,
tear-staned face that was upturned toward the
dim lantern ho held in his hand.
i. 4 l,, tptI i'm
all. aud no father could have cared more ten
DERBY for his only child, than hc for our little
Blossom.
She was on her way to Washington. to ask
President Lincoln for her brothers life. She
had stole away, leaving only note to tell her
father whcrc and why she had gone. She had
brought Bennie's letter with her; no good,
kind heart, like tho Presidents, could refuse
to be melted by il.
Tho next morning they reached Now York,
and the conductor found Suitable company for
Blossom. and hurried her on to Washington.
Every minute now might be year in her bro
thcr's life.
And so in an incredibly short time, Blossom
reached the Capital, and was hurried ut once
to the White House.
The President had but just seated himself to
his mornings task OF overlooking and signing
important papers, when without one wori OF
announcement, the door softly opened, and
Blossom. with eyes downcast and folded hands,
stood before him.
"Wcll, my child" hc said, in his pleasant
tones. "What do YOU want 60 bright and carly
in the morning?"
"Bcnnic's lie, please, sir" ialtcrcd out
Blossom.
"Bennie? Who is Bennie?"
"Niy brother, sir. They arc going to shoot
him for sleeping at his post"
"0h, yes;" and Mr.. Lincoln ran his eye
nv.r tba ,,.,,,-S baC,r, hin, Ell raunetnher. |