Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1866-04-20

all around her, looking only now and then
to Heaven, and folding her hands as if in
prayer.
Two hours later. the same young girl
stood at the Mill Depot, watching the COM
ing of the night train, and the conductor
as he reached down to lift her in, wonder
ed at the sweet, tear-stained face that was
upturned toward the dim lantern held in
his hand
A few questions and ready answers told
him all, aud no father could have cared
more tenderly for his only child, than he
for our little Blossom.
She was on her way to Washington to
ask President Lincoln for her brothers
life. She had stolen away, leaving only a
note telling her father 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 in her brothers life.
And so in an incredibly short time
Rlossom reached the Capital and was hur-
ried at once 10 the White House.
The President had just seated himself
to his morning task of looking over and
signing important paper, when without one
word Of announcement, the door softly
opened. and Blossom with downcast eyes
and folded hands stood before him.
Well, my child" he said, in his pleas
ant, CHEEKY tones, g Well, what do you
want so bright and early in the morning n
Bennie's life, please sir" faltered out
: Blossom.
: Bennie Who is Bennie 2"
my brother, sir. They are going 10
shoot him for sleeping at his post"
"Oh, yes" said Mr.. Lincoln, as he ran
: his eye over the paper before him. Z"
remember. 1t was fatal sleep. You
see, my child, it was at time of special
IS danger. Thousands Of lives might have
r. been lost through his cul pable negligence
g. So my father said" said Blossom very
% gravely, "but poor Bennie was so tired
: sir, and Jenny so weak. He did the work
!, of two, sir, and il was Jemmy's night, moi
!, his but he was too tired"
!. What is this you say, child come
here, / don't understand and the kind
esa;s sht ly, at .is..a ssst.'
: ed 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 toward his. How tall
he seemed and he was President Of the
United States. too. A dim thought Of this
kind passed for a minute through Blossoms
mind, but she told her story now simply
/, 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.
Blossom heard this order given -" S-nd
+ this despatch at once"
4 The President then turned to the girl
: and said, Go home, my child, and tel
7 that father of yours, who could approve
= his country's sentence, even though it tool
q the life of child ike that, that Abraham
} Lincoln thinks the life far too precious t.
u be lost Go back, or,-wait until :o-mor
. row Bennie will need change sitter he
q has SO bravely faced death; he shall q
. with YOU"
n and who shall doubt that God heard ant
l registered the request.
a Two days after this interview the youn.
ii soldier came to the White House with hi
little sister. He was called into the Pres
r. ident's private room and strap fastene,
rs aupon the shoulder" Mr.. Lincoln said
:. g that could carry sick comrades bag
gage and die for the act SO uncomplainins
n- ly" Then Bennie and Blossom took thei
ID way to their Green Mountain home, and
re crowd gathered at the Mill Depot to wei
d come them back, and Farmer Owens tai
IN head lowered above them all, as his han
IN grasped that of his boy. Mr.. Allan hear
IN him say fervently, as the holiest blessin
he could pronounce upon his child :--1 Jus
I'd and true are all thy ways, thou King {
I'll Saints"
at That night, Daisy and Brindle and b
n came lowing home from the pasture, fo
Up they heard well known voice call ihel
e, at the gate and Bennie, as he pats his ol
e, pets, and looks lovingly in their gres
e brown eyes, catches through the still ever
'r, ing air his Puritan fathers voice as he r,
ID peats 10 his happy mother these jubilal
or words: {" Fear not, for j am with thee;
will bring thy seed from the East; and
= will gather thee from the West; / wi
say to the North give up, and to the Soutl
all keen not back bring NV sons from fa