National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-08-02
Asleep at his Post.

MN, to the Federal cause, i'll the
late fearful struggle. One day a
message arrived, which fell like a
thunderbolt an 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
through the village, and the good
minister, Mr.. Allan, came at once to
see if it were possible to administer
consolation to the broken hearted
parents.
'Oh, sir cried the sorrowing man,
such a dear, precious, noble boy
| thought when ] gave him to his
country, that not 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 Ben
ME never dozed over a duty. How
prompt and reliable lie wasn and
Mr.. Ovens eye wandered over the
brown fields with a pcrpleXed won.
dering look. j know he only fell
Oft 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 scntinelr Mr.. Owen re.
peated these words very slowly, as
if cndcavoring to find their true
meaning. 'TwentY-four hourS--the
telegraph said only twenty-four.-
Where is Bennie now T!
.We will hope with his heavenly
Father. said Mr.. Allan soothingly.
Yes, yes, let us hope. God is
very merciful, and 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, Bcnnic = The
mother raised herself as she heard
his name called, and turning said
with n smile: Don't call so loud
father. Bennie is not far oft and
he will come Soon
God has laid his land on then
both, you see, said Mr.. Owen, point
mg to her without making any di
rect reply. She has not been justly
herself since. 1t is merciful thing
She is sort of stunned, it seems 10 m,
she makes no wailn
Mr.. Allan looked in aStonishmen
at the bowed man, as he now cam.
and stood before him. These few
hours had done the work of years
The sinewy frame was totterlng, tho
ewes were dimmcd, and the sudden
g sorrow had written itself i'll deep
!. wrinkles all over his manly face
! God have mercy on YOU; he is try
lag you in Il furnace seven time:
heated y he exclaimed almost invol
t UNFAIRLY.
1 The daughter, fair young girl
Y Blossom as they called her-had sa
l. near them listening with blanche,
II check. She had not shed tear to
e day, and the terror in her face ha'
} been so very still that no one ha,
noticed it. She had occupied hei
self mechanically in the household
Il care. which her mothers coaditio
d devolvcd entirely upon her. Nov
t she answered a gentle tap at til
+, kitchen door, opening it to recciy
/. from a neighbor's hand letter.
5, was from him. was all she said.
II was like a message from I'll
? dead. Mr. Owen could not brea
G. the seal for hi6 trembling finger
10 and held it towards Mr.. Allan wit
1t the hclplcsSncss of a child.
e The minister opened it, and obcd
j. cnt to the motion Of the father, req
rs follows:
=. DEAR FATHER When tb
!. reaches YOU | shall be i'll cternit
is At first ii seemed awful to me, b,
ot | have thought about ii So much no
III that it has no terror. They say th'
Nc will not bind me, but that | mi
er meet my death like man. the
IL father, that it might have been
lis the battle. field FOR my country, Al
that when | tell | would be hgltil
gloriously but to be shot down Ii
ed dog for nearly betraying it
ho die for neglect of duty! q, fathe
es' | wonder the thought does not k
he me But | shall not disgrace y
ire | am going to write you all about
,on and when | am gone you can I
nv comrades. can't now.
"You know ] promised Jeml
/ a Carr's mother l would look All
nn, her boy, and when he fell sick,
gh all ] could for him. lie was l
md strong when he was ordered ba
Ter, into the ranks. and the day be!'
lat. that night, carried all his lugga
ub besides my own on our march. i,
be ards night we went on the doul
ak. quick. and though the baggage
it'll. gan to feel very heavy everybc
nd else was tired, too; and as for J'
dit my, if had not lent him an a
not now and then, he would have dr.
200 ped by the way, J was all tired
nc when came into camp, and the
ter. was Jcmmy's turn to he sentry,
her would take his place; but
can too tired father. could not u
ant. kept awake IL l had u gun at
has head; but did not know IL unit
the well IL was too latev y
God be- thanked y interrupted
Owen, reverenly. Il knew Bcl
ned was not boy to sleep carelessl,
s he his post
tall 'They tell me to-day that ha