The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1867-12-26
Elisfrllone3us.
ASLEEP AT HIS POST.
An Incident of the Late War.

Mr.. Owen, pious farmer Of Yer.
mont, gave his son, Benjamin, to the
Federal cause, in the late fearful
struggle. One day message arrived,
which fell like a thundorbolt upon
the anxious yet hopeful family. The
lad had been found 'asleep at his
post" and was condemned to he shot.
The terrible news soon spread in
tho village, and the good minister,
Mr.. Allan, came at once, to see If it
were possible to administer consola.
ton to the heart. broken parents
"0h, sir, cried the sorrowipg old
man, "such a dear, precious, noble
boy l thought when | gave him to
his country that not a father in all
this broad land made SO precious a
gift-no, not one. God forgive me If
my grief is sin. Mr.. Allan, the
dear boy only slept minute, just Que
little minute. at his post; know
that was all, for Bennic never dozed
over a duty. How prompt and relia
bic he was ~ and Mr.. Ovens eyes
wandered ever the brown fields with
such a perplexed, wondering look
II kaow he only fell off one little
second; he was 80 young and not
strong, that boy Of mine Why, he
was as tall as |, aud only eighteen.
aud now they shoot him because he
was found asleep when doing scntin.
ell' Mr.. Owen repeated these words
very slowly, as if endeavorinG to find
out their meaning. "rwenty-four
hours-the telegraph said only twcn
ty four. Where is Bcnnie now p
I'VE will hope with his heavenly
Father" said Mr.. Allan, soothiugiy
"Yes, yes, let us hope. God is
very merciful, and Beunie was Sc
COED do not wcan holy" "he said
correcting himself sharply; "therc is
mono holy-no, not one, but Jesu.
died for sinners. Mr.. Allan, tell m,
that. Bonnie, Benuie !"
The mother raised herself as she
heard his uame called, and turning
said, with smile: "Don't call 81
loud father. Bcnnic is not far of
he will come soon"
"God has laid his hand ON then
both, you see" said Mr. Owen point
to her without making any dircc
reply. "She has not been justly
herseIf since. 1t is merciful thinl
she is sort of stunned, it seems to me
she makes no wall" ..l
Mr.. Allan looked in astonishmen
at the bowed father as he came nov
and stood before him. These few
hours had done the work Of years
The sinewy frame was tottering, th'
eyes we're dim, and the sudden sor
row had written itselfin deep wrinkle
all over his manly lace. "God hav'
mercy on. you; he is trying you in
furnace seven times heatedl' T. he cx
claimed involuntarily.
The daughter, a fair young girl
Blossom, as they called her, had sa
near them listening with blanche,
checks. She had not shed tear to
day. and the terror in her face ha,
been so very still that no one ha
noticed it. She had occupied hersel
mechanically in the household care
which her mothers condition deVolG
ed entirely upon her. Now she an
swered a gentle tap at the kitche
door, opening it to receive from
neighbor's hand letter. at is froi
him" was all she said Gl
Twas like a message from a
dead.
Mr. Owen could not break the ses
for his trembling fingers, and held
, toward Mr. Allan with the helples:
ness Of a child. VH II .H4
The minister opened it and Obed
ent to motion Of the father, read O
follows:
Dear Father: When this reache
you shall be in eternity. At fir
it seemed awful to me, but L Eay
, thought ABOUT il so much now that
has no terror. They say they wi
j not bind me nor blind mo, bat that
may meet my death like man.
: thought, father, it might have bee
on the battle field for my countr,
and Il at when / fell X would be figh
ing gloriousIy: but to be shot dow
: like dog for nearly betraying it,
: die for neglect Of duty! | wonder Il
/ very thought does not kill me b
i | shall not disgrace you. am e,
= ing to write you all about 1t, an
. when am gone you may tell n
3 comrades. | can't row.