The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-07-17
ASLEEP AT HIS POST.


cave his eldest son. Benjamin. to the Fede
ral cause. ia the late iearful struggle. On
day q message arrived. which fell like
thunderbult upon the anxious yet hopefu
family. The lad had been found ASLEEP q
his post, and was condemned 10 be shot.
The terrible news soon spread in th
village, and the minister, IA Mr.. Allen,
came al once to see If il we're possible 4
administer consolation 70 the heart. broker
parents.
"Oh, sir 20 cried the sorrowing old man
such . dear, precious, noble boy.
shought when | gave him 10 his countr,
that not . father in all this broad land
made 90 precious gilt--no. not one. God
forgive me II my grief is a sin. Mr.. Allen
the dear boy only slept minute. just one
little minute, NJ his post. know that was
all, Tor Bennie never dozrd over duty.
How prompt and reliable lie was" Anc
Mr. Owens eye wandered over the brown
fields with such a perpleTed wondering
loak. IL know he only fell OF one little
second. he was so young. and not strong.
that boy of mine Why he was as tall a.
] and only eighteen and nov they want TO
shsoi him because he was found asleep when
he was doing sentinel duty! Mr.. Owen
repeated these words very slowly. - if en-.
deavoring TO find out their true meaning.
Twenty -four hours. the telegraph ssid.
only twenty .i.ur. Where is Bennie now 30
We will hope with his heavenly father,
said Mr.. Allan. soothngly.
Yes. yes. ie, Us hope. God is very mer.
eiful. aud Bennie wa. good do no, mean
holy. said he sharply. correcting himself.
4" there Is none holy. no. not one. but Jesus
died FOR sinners. Mr.. Allan. tell me that.
q Bennie The mother raised a. she heard
the name called. and turning. said with =
smile. Don't call so loud, father. Bennie
Is mt far OF. he will come soon.
Cod laid his hand on them both. you see,
said Mr. 0wen. pointing To her. without
making any direct reply. She has not been
justly herself since. li Is 4 merciful thiny
che Is sort Of stunned. IL seems TO ne. she
.kes no wall
ar. Allan looked in ss,onishment al tile
uosrd man. as he Came now and stood be.
lore HIN. These lev hours had done the
work Of years, 'ihc sinesy frame was
lotirring. the eyes dlmmed. and sudden sor. |
rnw had written itself in deep wrinkles all
over his manly lace. God have mercy on
you. he Is trying you in furnace seven
timss heated. he exclaimed almost invclun
tarily.
The daughter. . fair soung girl--B Blossom
they called her--had sat near them listen.
ing with blanched cheek. She had not she'd
tear to-day. and the terror in her face
had been - very still. no one had noticed
u. She had occupied herself mechanical
" IN The household care, which her moth.
er's condition drvoIsed entirely uppn her.
Nov she answered geniler zap al the
Kitchen door. opening il 10 receive a letter
frcm neighbor's hand. II is from him,
was all she said.
Twas like message from the dead.
Mr.. Oven could not break the seal for nj.
trembling fingers. and held il towards Mr.
Allan with the helplessness of 4 child.
The minister opened II. and. obrdirnt 10
q nation from the Iather. read a. iull.ws
"DEAR FATHER When this reaches
you shall be IN eternity. At FIRST II seem.
81 awful 70 me. bu; have thought sboot
u 20 much now il has no icrrm. They
sIy they will not bind me nor blind me,
but ! may meet nv death as man. i,
thaaght. father. i might have been on the
battle held for my country. and that when
icll 4 would be lighting gloriously; bur
70 be shot down like dog Tor nearly be.
haying ito die Tor neglect OF duty! OI
ia,her. ! wonder the very thought doe. not
k'll me But shall not disgrace you. 1
nm going to write you all about IL. and
when ! am gone you may tell my csnrades.
cant now. G@yN d
You know promised JeHry CarIs
m,ther ] would look after her boy. and o
when he fell sick | did all could for him. Wv
lie was not strong when he was ordered n