Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-01-31
ASLEEP Az HAS POST.
AN INCIDENT OF THE LATE WAR.

AN INCIDENT OF THE LATE WAR. 3, .s-
Mr. Owen, pious farmer in Vermont
gave lis eldest son., Benjamin, to the Fed
eral cause, 1.-THE late fearful struggle. One
day message arrived which fell like a
thunder-bOlt upon the anxious, yet hope
full family. The lad had been found ASLEEP
= at has post, and was condemned to be shot
The terrible news spread in the village
and the good minister, Mr. Allan, came
at once to see if it were not possible to ad
minister consolation TO the heart broken
parents.
ooh! sir,p cricdYthe sorrowing old man
"such q dear, precious, noble boy! ]
thought when. gage him to his country
that not father in all this broad land
made so precious gift-no, not one. God
forgive me If my grief is a sin. Mr. Allan,
the dear boy only slept minute, just one
little minute at his post. | know that was
all, for Bonnie never d0zed over duty
How prompt and reliable be was p and
Mr.. Owens eye wandered over the brown
fields with such q perplexed, wandering
look. rf3 ~ ~ r t1t5 4H
81 know he only fell off one little
r second; he was so young, and not strong,
that boy of mine. Why, he was as tall
as ], and only eighteen, and now they
uIlllJ DCSduoC uC was iOuuQ d6lStD w QGn
doing duty" - '- ~
Mr. Owen repeated these words very
slowly, as if endeavoring to find out their
true meaning.
"Twenty-four hours--the telegraph
said, only twenty-four. Where is Bonnie
now?" .-...fs w. 1.+. ..t..
awe will hope with his Heavenly
Father" said Mr.. Allan, soothiDgly.
Yes, yes; let US hope. God is very
merciful, and Bonnie was so good do
rot mean holy" he said, correcting him
self sharply" there is none holy, no, not
one; but Jesus died for sinners. Mr. Allan,
tell me that.@eO, BennieI Bonnie ~ ,a,
The mother raised herself as she heard
his name called, and turning, said with a
smile, "Don't call so loud, father, Bonnie
is not far of, he will come SOON"
"God has laid his hand on them both,
you see" said Mr.. Owen, without making
any direct reply. q" She has not been Just
herself, since. 1t is a merciful thing
she is sort of stunned, it seems to ME.
She makes no walls"
Mr.. Allan looked in establishment at
the bowed man, as he now came and stood
before him. These few hours had done
the work of years. The sinewy frame
was tottering now, the eyes were dimmed,
and the sudden sorrow had written itself
in deep wrinkles all over his manly face
"God have mercy on you he is trying
you in q furnace seven times heatedp' he
exclaimed, almost involuntarily.
The daughter, fair young girl-Blos-
som, they called her-had sat near them
listening with blanched cheeks. She had
; not sheda tear that day, and the terror in
her checks had been so very still that no
one had noticed it. She had occupied her.
self mechanically in household tduties
which her mothers condition devolved en-
tirely upon her. Now she answered q
gentle tap at the kitchen door, opening it
to receive from a neighbours hand letter.
1t is from ham, was all she said. aeB 81
lives like message from the dead,
Mr.. Owen could not break the seal for his
trembling fingers, and held it towards MIR.
Allan with the ,helplessness of "a child. =,
The minister opened il, and obedient to
a motion from the father, read as follows:
"DEAR FATHER: When this reaches
YOU shall be in eternity. at first it
seemed awful to. me, but l have thought
about it so muohthat now it has no terror.
They say they will rot bind ME rlorblind
me, but that l may meet my death like
man. | thought, father, it might have
been on the battlefield for my country,
and that when | fell it would be fighting
gloriously; but to be shot down like dog
for nearly betraying ito die for neglect
of duty Oh, father! | wonder the very
thought does not kill mel But /
shall not Disgrace goa. i am going to
write you all about it, and when l am
gone you may tell my comrades. l can't
now.
"You know, l promised Jenny Cars
mother | would look after her boy, and
when he fell sick / did all | could for hin.
He was not strong when he was ordered
back into the ranks and the day before
Ntnight Icarriedall his luggage, besides
my own, on our march.s Toward night we
went in on double.quick, and though
the luggage began to feel very heavy,
everybody else was tired, too, and as for
Jenny, if had not lent him an arm now
and then, he would have dropped by the
way. l was all tired out when went into
camp, and then,,i was Jenny turn to be
sentry, and would take his place; but |
was too fired, fstherM I coiid not have
kept awake if had had gun at my head.
But did not know 1t until-well, it was
too la1ei"
y sGod be thankedi /" Interrupted Mr..
Owen, revcrently. 81 knew Bonnie was
not the boy to sleep carelessly at his post"
They tell me to-day that [ have short
reprieve given to me by circumstances
time towlitetoyou, our good Colonel says.
Forgive him. father--he only does his duty; 4
he would gladly save me if he could. Aud
don't lay my death against Jenny The
poor boy is broken. hearted, and. does moth
ing but beg and entreat them to set hiIn |
die in Lay stead
81 can't bear to think of mother and |
Blossom. Comfort them, father. Tell |
them. that die as brave boy should, aud |
that when the war is over they win not bo |
ashamed of me as they must be now.
God help me, it is very hardto bear. Good |
bye, father. God seems near and dear to |
me-not atall asst He wished me to perish |