Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-07-25
Asleep at His Post.
HcIDRNr OF THE LATE WAR.

mont, gave his elueaI son. DeDJanlui W
the Federal cause, In the late fearful
struggle. One day message arrived,
which fell like q thunderbolt on that
anxious yet 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 II it were possible to
administer consolation to the broken
hearted parents.
"Oh, sir !" cried the sorrowing old
man "such dear, precious, noble boy
l thought when gave him to his couu-
try, that no father in all this broad
land made so precious a gift-no, not
one. God forgive me If my grief is
a sin. Mr.. Allan, the dear boy only
slept minute, at his post; know that
was all for Benny never dozed over a
duty How prompt and reliable he
was T. and Mr.. Ovens eye wandered
over the brown fields with q perplexe1,
wondering look. II know he only fell
off one little second; he was so young,
and strong, that boy Of mine Why
he was as tall as and only eighteen
and now they shoot him because he was
found asleep when standing sentinel l'
Mr.. Owen repeated these words very
slowly, as if endeavoring to find their
true meaning. "Twenty-four hours
the telegraph said only twenty.four.
Where is Bonnie now7"
ave will hope with his heavenly
Father" said Mr.. Allan soothingly.
ayes, yes, let US hope. God is very
merciful, and Bonnie was so good-I do
not mean holy" he said, correcting him
SELL sharply ;-"there is none holy, no.
not one; but Jesus died for sinners.
Mr.. Allan, tell me that, Oh l.! Bonnie,
Bennie!" The mother raised herself as
she heard the name called, and turning
said with a smile: Don't call so loud
father Bonnie is not far off; and he
will come soOn."
'God laid his hand on them both, you
see," said Mr.. Owen, pointing tie her
without making any direct reply. "She
has not been justly herself since. 1t is
merciful thing she is sort of stunned,
it seems to me she makes no wall"
Mr.. Allan looked in establishment at
the bowed man, as he came now and
| stood before him. These few hours had
| done the work Of years. The sinewy
frame was tottering, the eyes were dim.
| med, and the sudden sorrow had written
itselfin deep wrinkles all over his manly
face. "GOd have mercy on you; he is
trying you in furnace seven times
heated !" he exclaimed almost involun.
tarily.
The daughter, fair young girl-Blos.
som as they call her-had sat near then
listening with blanched cheek. She had
not shed tear to-day, and the terror in
her face had been so very still that nc
one had noticed it. She had occupied
herself mechanically in the household
care, which her mothers condition de
volved entirely upon her Now she an
swered a gentle tap at the kitchen door
opening it to receive from q neighbors
hand letter. at was from him" was
all she said.
Twas like a message from the dead
Mr.. Owen could not break the seal fo
his trembling fingers, and held /
towards Mr.. Allan with the helplessnes,
Of child.
The minister opened it, and obedien
to the motion of the father, read a
follows
DEAR FATHER When this reaches 70,
l shall be in eternity. At first it seemed
awful to me, but have thought abou
it so much now that 1t has no terror
They say they will not bind me or blinC
me, but that | may meet my death lik
g man. | thought, father, it might hav
been on the battle field, fighting for M
country, and that when | fell it would
be fighting gloriously; but to be sho
down like a dog for nearly betraying /
to die for neglect of duty 0, father
| wonder the thought does not kill me
But l shall not disgrace you. l am 90
ing to write you all about it, and wheI
l am gone you can tell my comrades.
can't now.
You know promised Jenny Carr
mother | would look after her boy, an
when he fell sick | did all / could 70
him. He was not strong when he wa
: ordered back into the ranks, and the da
before that night carried all his lug
gage besides my own, on our marct
l Towards night we went on the double
quick, and though the baggage began t
E feel very heavy, everybody else wa
tired, too; and as for Jenny, if | ha
not lent him an arm now and then, b
would have dropped by the way. wa
all tired out when l came into cam
and then it was Jemmy's turn to
!. sentry, and | would take his place; bu
e was too tired, father | could not hay
@ kept awake If had a gun at my head
but did not know it until-well, it ws
) too late !"
God be thanked !" interrupted M
f Owen, reverently. Il knew Bonnie ws
Y not a boy to sleep carelessly at h
= post"
"They tell me to-day that I have
> short reprieve, given to me by circuu
l. stsnces-time to write to you-our GOO
= Colonel says. Forgive him, father,
only does his duty he would glad
save me if he could. and don't lay N
: death against Jenny. The poor boy
l. broken hearted, and does nothing br
d beg and entreat them to let him die II
|, stead of me-
:. 81 can't bear to think of mother an
n Blossom. Comfort them, father. TIE