The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1867-12-26

lou know PROMISED Jethhl
Cars mother l would look after her
boy, and when nc fell sick / did all |
could for him. He was not strong
when he was ordered back into the
ranks, aud the day before that night
| carried all his luggage besides my
own on the march. Toward night,
we went on double quick, and though
the luggage began to feel heavy,
every body else was tired too aud as
for Jenny, If | had not lent him an
arm now and then he would have
dropped hy the way. l was all done
out when | camo into camp, aud now
il was Jemmy's turn to be sentry and
[ said I'd take his place, out was
too tired. father. | could not have
K, pt awake if I had had gun at my
head hut did not know it until
well until IL was too late !
"God be thanked ~ interrupted
Mr.. Owen, reverently. ~ know
Bennie was not the boy to sleep care
lessly at his post"
"They tell me to-day that l have a
short roprive, given me by oircum.
stances-time to write to you--our
good Colonel says. Forgive him,
father, he only done his duty he
would gladly rave mo il be could,
And don't lay my death against Jem.
my. The poor boy is broken hearted,
and does nothing but beg and cntrcat
them to let him die in my stead.
al cant bear to thiuk Of mother
and Blossom. Comfort them, father.
Tell them | die as brave boy should,
aud 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 bcarl Good bye father !
dod seems near and dear to me not
at al as if he wished me to perish
forever, but as if he felt sorry for his
poor, sinful broken hearted child, aud
would take me to be with him rs my
savior, in n better, better life
A great sob burst from Mr.. Owens
hcart-"Amcn!" he said, Solcmnly.
"Amen i
"To-night, in the early twilight, l
shall see the cows all coming home
from the pasture-Daisy, and Brin-
die aud pet; old Billy, too, will neigh
from his stall, aud precious little
Blossom shall stand waiting for me.
but | shall never, never come. God
bless you all Forgive your poor
"BENNIB."
x x x * x x
Late that night the door opened
very softly, aud little figure glided
out and down the foot-path that led
10 the road by the mill. She seemed
rather flying than walking, turning
her head neither to the right nor the
left starting not as the full moon
stretched queer, fantastic shapes all
around her; looking only now and
then to heaven and folding her hand
as if in prayer.
Two hours later the same young
girl stood at the Mill Depot, watch
Ing the coming of the night train
and the conductor as he reached
down to lift her in, wondered at the
sweet tear stained face that was up
turned toward the dim lantern he
held in his hand.
A few questions and ready answers
told him all aud no father could have
cared more tendcrly for his own child
than for cur littlo Blossom.
She was on her way to WashitGtor
to ask President Lincoln for hel
brothers life. She had stolen away
leaving ouly uote to tell her fathe
where aud why she had gone. Sh,
had brought Bennie's letter with her
no good, kind heart like the Presi
dents could refuse to be melto'
by it.
The next mornIug they reache'
New York, and the conductor foun'
suitable company for Blossom, ant
hurried her on to Washington. Ever.
minute now might be a year in he
brothers life.
Aud SO in an incredible short tim
Blossom reached the Capitol aud wa
hurried at once to the White House
The President had just seated him
self TO bis morning task of over
looking and signing Important pa
pcrs, when, without one word of an
nounccment, the door softly opcne
and Blossom with eyes downcast an
folded hands, stood before him.
"Well, my child" he said in hi
pleasant CHEEKY tones "what do 20
want so bright and early in the moru
ing.
"Beunie's life please sir, falterc
out Blossom.
"Benniei who is Bennie p
"My brother, sir. They are goin
to shoot him for sleeping on hi
post"
ooh yes, and Mr. Lincoln ran h
eyes over tho paper before him. g
remember it was total sleep. Yo
see, child, it was a time Of spoeii
danger. Thousands of lives migl
/ have been lest for his culpablc negli
/ geuce.
, $50 my father said, said Blossom
gravely, "But poor Bennie was 70
, tired, sir, and Jenny SO weak. II
did the work oftwo, and II waE Jen
! my's night, not his, but Jenny WI
/ too tired, and Bennie never tho9gl
about himself that be was too tired
"What is this you say child
Come here / don't understand )" an
5 the kind man caught eagerly as oy'
at what did seem to be a justifcatic
> of an oaense. -A4''i - q = --ll-'A =
Blossom went to him he put h
E hand tenderly on her shoulder, al
I turned up the pale, anxious fa'
| toward his. How tall he seemed
| and he was President of the Unite
States, tool A dim thought Of th
a kind passed for moment throue
M trlI |.