Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-05-04
WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL.
eP at His Post-An Incident of tn.
Late War. Ae

arrived, which fell like q thunderboldt on the
anxious Jet hopeful family. The lad had been
found asleep at his post and was condemned to
be shot.
The terrible news soon spread in the village,
and the good minister, Mr. Allan came at once
TO see If 1t were possible to administer consola-
uop to the hear;-broken parents
On, sir cried the sorrowing old man,
:" such dear precious, noble boy | thought
when gave him to his country, that not father
IN all this broad land made so precious gift
no, nos one God forgive me if my grief is a
sln Nj. Allan, the dear boy only slept Il min
ute, just one little minute, at his post; know
that was all. for Bcnne never dozed over duty
ROW prompt and reliable he was y and Mr..
u"en eye wandered over the brown fields with
PorPleXed, wondering look. g 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 :! Mr.. Owen repeated these words very
slowly, as If endeavoring TO find out their true
meaning. Twenty-four hoursthe telegraph
said only twenty-four. Where is Bennie now ?"
:. We viii hope with Lis heavenly Father"
said Mr. Allan, soothing!y.
- les, yes, let US hope. God is very merci
ful, aud Bennie was so good do not mean
holy" he said, correcting himself sharply !;
:" there is none holy, no. not one; but Jesus
died for sinners. Mr. Allan, tell me that Oh !
Bennie Bennie - The mother raised herself as
she heard his name called and turning said,
with smile " Don't call SO loud, father
Benne is not far off he will come soon.'
God laid his hand on them both, you see,
said Mr. Owen, pointing to her without making
any direct reply. - She has not been justly her
self since. IL is mercifnl thiug she is sort of
s;nnred, it seems to me she makes wall -
Mr.. Allan looked in astonshment at the bow
ed man, as he came and stood before him.
These few hours had done the work of years
The sinewy frame was tottering, the eyes
dimmed, and the sudden sorrow had written it.
self in deep wrinkles all over his manly face
. God have mercy on you he is trying you, in
furnace seven times heated p he exclaimed
almost inyoluntarily.
The daughter, fair young girl-Blossom, as
they called her-had sat near them listening
with banehed cheek. She had not shed tear
10 day, and the terror in her face had been so
very still that not one had noticed it. She had
occupied herself mechanically it the household
care, which her mothers condition devolved en-
tirely upon her. Now she answered gentle tap
at the kitchen door, opening 1t to receive from
neigh5or's hand letter. 1t is from him, was
all she said.
Twas Ike message from the dead. Mr..
Owen could not break the seal for his trembling
fingers, and hei it toward Nj. Allan with the
helplessncss of child.
The minister opened it, and obedeut to a mo-
ton from the father, read as follows
" DEAR FATHEg:-When this reaches you
ehall be in eternity. At first it seemed awful to
me, but | have thought about it so much now
that it has no terror. They say they will not
bind me nor blind me- but that may meet my
death IKE l thought, father, it might
have been the battlefield for my country, and
that when fell it would be fighting glorously /
but to be shot down ike dog for nearly betray-
ing ito die for neglect of duty 0 father
wonder the very thought does not kill me =
Bu; l shall not disgrace you. l am going to
write YOU al about il, and when l am gone you
may tell my comrades. l can't now
You know promised Jenny Carr's mother
woul1 look after her boy, and when he fell sick
did al l could for him. He not strong
when he ordered back into the ranks, and
the day before that night, l carried all his lug
gage, besides my own, on our march. Toward
night we went in on double quick, and though
the luggage began to feel very heavy, everybody
else was tired, too; and as for Jenny, if had
not lent him and them he would
have dropped by the way. was all tired out
when came into camp, and then it was Jem-
my's turn TO he sentry, and | would take his
place; but was too tired, father. l could not
have Kept awake if had had a gun at my head
hut did not know it uutl-well, until it was
TOO late :"
God be thanked y interrupted Mr.. Owen,
reverently. II knew Benne not the boy to
sleep carelessly at his post"
They tel me to-day that have a short re-
prive, gwen to me by circunstances-' time to
write to you, our good Colonel says. Forgive
him, father, he only does his duty ; he would
gladly save nle if he could. And don't lay my
d a.l against Jenny. The boy is broken-heart-
ed and does nothing but beg and entreat them
10 let him die ia my stead.
~ can't bear to think of mother and Blossom
Comfort them, father. Tell them die a
brave boy should, and that when the war is over
they VIII not be ashamed of me, as they must be
now. God help me it is very hard to bear !!
Goodbye, father God seems and dear TO
me not at all as if he wished me to perish for
ever, but if he felt sorry for his poor, sinful,
broken hearted child, and would take me to be
with him and my Saviour, in better, better
LIFE"
great sob burst from Mr.. Owens heart
a. Amen : he Said solemniy. - Amen %
"To-nght, in the early twilight, shall see
the COWS Ill coming home from pasture, Daisey
and Brind.e, aud Bet; old Billy, too will neigh
from his stall, and precious little Blossom stand
waiting Cor me, but | shall never come God
bless you all forgive your poor Bennie p
Late that night the door opened softly, and
little figure gIidei out anu down the foot-path
that led TO ,he road by the mill. She seemed
rather flying than walking, turning her head
neither to the right nor left starting not as the
fuIl moon stretched queer, fantastic shapes all
around her, looking only now and then to heaven
and folding her hands if in prayer.
Two hours later the same young girl stood at
the Mill Depot watching the coming of the night
train, and the conductor, as he reached down to
lift her in, wopdered at the sweet, tear-s,ained
face that was upturned toward the dim lantern
be held IN his hand
A few questions and ready answers told him
all. and no father could have cared more tender
" for his own child than he for our little Bios
som.
She was on her way to Washington to ask
President Lincoln for her brothers. life. She
had stolen away. leaving only note to tell her
father where she had gone. She had brought
Bennies 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 Tor Bios
som, and hurried her to Washington. Every
minute now might Re year in her brother 5
life.
And SO in an incredibly short time Blossom
reached the Capital, and was hurried at once to
the White House The President had just seated