The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-02-16

the boy to sleep carelessly at his post"
''They tell me to-day that have a
short reprieve, given to me by circumstan-
ces, time to write to you,' our good colo
mel says Forgive him, father, he only
does his duty he would gladly save me
if he could, and don't lay my death up
against Jenny. The poor boy is broken
hearted, and does nothing but beg and en-
treat them to let him die in my stead.
81 can't bear to think of mother and
Blossom, Comfort them, father. Tell
them | die as a brave boy should, and that
when the war is over, they will not be
ashamed of me as they must be now
God help me, it is very hard to bear.
Goodbye, father. God seems near and dear
to me, not at all as if he wished me to per-
ish forever, but as if he felt sorry for his
poor. sinful, broken hearted child, and
would take him to be with him and my
savior,, in a .better-better life
A great sob burst from Mr. Owens
heart. amen ~ he said solemnly.
"Amen ~
''To-night in the early twilight shall SEE
the COWS all coming home from pasture.
Daisy, and Brindle, and Bet old Billy,
too; will neigh to me from his stall. and
precious little Blossom stand on the back
stoop waiting for me-but shall never
never come. God bless you all forgive
your poor BENNIE''
Late that night the door of the back
>toop' opened softly and little figure
glided ont, and down the foot path that
led to the road by the mill. She seemed
rather flying than walking, turning her
head neither to the ri ght nor the left :;
startin" not, as the full moon stretched
queer, fantastic shapes 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
coming OF the night train, and the con-
ductor, as he reached down to lift her in.
wondered at the sweet, tear stained face
that was upturned toward the dim lantern
that he held i'll his hand.
\ few questions and ready answer, told
| him all. and no father could have cared
more tenderly for his only child, than he,
, for our little Blossom
| She was on her way to Washington 10
ask President Lincoln for her brother ;
lite. She had stolen away, leaving ouiy a
note to tell her father where. and why she
: had cone She had brought Bennle's let
| ter with her no good. kind heart like
2 the presidents, could refuse TO be melted
by ii.
t The next morning they reached New
York, and the conductor found suitable
2 company lor Blossom. and hurried her OF
: to Washington Every minute row. might
; he wear in her brothers life.
, And so, i'll an incredibly short space ol
= time. Blossom reached the capital and Wa,
| hurried al once to the " hite Iioli>e.
; The president had but just seated him
| self to his morning task of overlooking
= and signing important papers, when, with
: out one word OF announcement, the dOol
softly opened and Blossom, with eye:
, downca>t and folded hands. stood beor,
e him
well, my child, he said in his pleasant
c CHEEKY tones, ''what do you want 81 brigh
+ anl early i'll the morning =
t ''Ecnnie'S life, please sir" ialtercd on
: Blossom.
;, ''Bennie Who Is Bcnnic p
My brother, sir They are going tc
d shoot him for s.ceping at his post
!, ''Oh, YES" and Mr.. Lincoln ran his ey,
: over the papers before him. Il remcm
Il ber Ii WAS fatal sleep. You see
|. child, it WAS at a time Of special danger
l, Thousands of lives might have been lost b,
his culpaIle negligence.
:. $50 my father said" SAID Blossom
a gravely, "but poor Bennie was so tired
d sir, and Jenny so weak. He did TIN
t. work of two. sir. and it was Jenny
II night, not his, but Jenny was too tired
5 and Bennic never thought about himself
= that he was too tired"
e "What is this you say, child com
a here. | don't understand" and the Kin,
> man caught eagerly, as ever, to wha
seemed to be justification of IN otienSe
|. Blossom went to him ne put his hant
is tcndcry on her shoulder and turned u
+. the pale, anxious face toward his. How
tall he seemed, and he was president O
o the United States, too. 4 dim though
l. of this kind passed for a moment thro'lg
Blossoms mind, but she told her stor
cs now simply and straightforward, an
1t handed Mr.. Lincoln Bennie's letter t.
IT read.
+ He read it carefully, then taking up hi
)r pen, wrote few hasty lines, and rang hi
h bell.
1T Blossom heard this order given ''Sen
4 this dispatch at once"
De The president then turned to the gi
n and said 60 home, my child, and te
lie that father of yours, who could approx
er his country's sentence, even when it too
| the life OF a child like that, that Abraham
to Lincoln thinks the life far too precious t
IN be lost. Go back, or-wait until to-mol
It row Bennie will need change after h
has so bravely faced death, he shall .
IS with YOU
nd ''God bless you sir,' said Blossom an
II. who shall doubt that God heard and re.
ed istered the request.
're Two days after this interview the your
de soldier came 10 the White House with Ii
hit little sister. He was called INTO the pre-