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


own, on our march. Toward night we wen
10 on double quick. and thought The lug
gage began to feel very heavy every bod
else was tired TOO. and rs Tor Jenny if ha,
not lent him an arm now and then he wout
have dropped BY the way. was all tirec
out when We came into camp, and then il
was Jemmy's turn 20 be sentry, and would
take his place; but [ was too tired. father
could not have kept awake if had had !
gun at my head. but did not know il un.
tii-well. until II was too late
God be thanked interrupted Mr.. Owen,
revently. knew Bennie was moi the boy
10 sleep carelessly at his post.
They tell me to-day that | had a shor,
reprieve. given TO me by the circumstances,
time 10 wriis 10 you. our good colonel says
Forgive him. father. he only does his duty.
ne would gladly save me il he could. And
don't lay my death sgains, Jenny. The
poor boy IS broken hearted and does moth.
ing but eeg and entreat them TO LEI, him die
In my stead.
| cant bear to think OF mother and Bios
SON. Comfort them. father. Tell them 1
DIE as brave boy should, and tell them
that when the war is over they will not be
ashamed oi me as they must be now. God
help me II Is very hord 10 bear Good
bye, father. God seems near and dear TO
me- not as Il be wished Ne = pesish for
ever. but as il he ielt sorry fss kis Door sin.
i"l. broken hearted child. and would take
me TO be with him and my Saviour in a.
better. better life."
A grea. sob burst from Mr.. Owens heart
" Amen, he ssid. solrmnly. i" Amen"
Tonight IN the early twilight shall see
The COWS all coming home from pasture.
DAISY. and BrindIe. and Bet, old Billy.
100. will neigh from his stall, and precious
I,itle blossom stand waiting Tor me, bul
shall never, never come. God bless Won
al forgive your poor Bennie.
Late that night the door opened snftly.
md little figure glided out and down the
ootpath that led BY the mill. She seems
'ather lying than walking. turning her
read neither to the right nor 10 the left
starting how as the moon ,skelched queer.
antastic shapes all around her, looking
my now and then to heaven, and folding
Ter hands as IL in prayer.
Two hnars later the same Young girl
TODD ~ the mill Depot, watching the com.
ng oi the night tram. and the conductor.
; he reached down to lift her in, wonder.
q AZ The sweet. tear stained face that was
lrned toward the dim lantern he held in
Is hand.
A lew questions and ready answers told
im all. and no father could have cared
lore tendefly for his own child than he for
ur little Blossom.
She Was on her way 10 Washington TO
x President Lincoln Tor her brothers life.
ne had stolen away. leaving only q note 10
~ hrr iather where aud why she had gone.
Ne had brought Bennie's letter with her,
. good heart like the Presidents could
fuse 10 be melted by ii.
lbe next morning they reached New
ork aud the conductor found suitable
'npany for Blossom and hurried her 10
'ashIngtun. Every minute might be
,ar ~ her brothers LIE.
Aud 80 10 an incrrJibI, short time Bios.
m reached The capital. and was hurried
once 10 the White House. The Pre-. :
dent had just seated himself tu his morn.
s'stask VI overlooking and signing impor- !. !.
~ papers. when without one word OF an. !,
'unerment. Tie door softly opened, aud :
ossom. with Lowncast eyes. stood before
m.
Well my child. he said in his pleasant
eery ton 8. !" what do you want 80 bright, :
y early in the morning p
" Bennie's lie please 81. !" faltered.out !,
ossom. -
" bennie who is Bennie :"
. My brother. sic. They are going TO =,
Dot him Tor sleeping At his post"
oh yes. and Mr.. LncoIa ran bis eyes n'
rr the papers before him. remember. II
8 q fatal sleep. Thousands oi lives might, n
70 been lost fOr his culpable negligence.