Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-07-08

Mr.. Owen, pious farmer in Vermont,
gave his eldest son. Benjamin, to the Fed
eral cause, in the late fearful struggle.
One day message arrived which fell like
a thunderbolt upon the anxious yet hope
rul family The lad had been found
asleep at his post, and was condemned TO
be shot.
The terrible news spread in the village
and the good minister, Mr.. Allen, came
at once to see if it were not possible to
administer consolation 10 the broken
hearted parents.
"Oh' sir" cried the sorrowing old man,
"such dear, precious, noble boy |
thought when | gave him to his country,
that not father in all thi, broad land
made so precious q gift-no not one.
God forgive me if my grief is sin. Mr..
Allen, the dear boy only slept a minute,
Just one little minute, at his post. |
know tina, was all, for BcnAie never
dozed over duty. How prompt and
reliable he was~ And Mr.. Owens eye
wandered over the brown fields with such
a perplexed, wandering look.
II know he only fell off n little second;
he was so young and not strong, that boy
of mine Why, he was rs tall as |, and
only eighteen, and now they shoot him,
because he was found asleep when doing
duty"
Mr. Owen repeated these words very
slowly, as if endeavoring to find out their
true meaning.
"Twenty-four hours-thc telegraph
said, only twenty-four Where is Bennie
now?"
I'VE will hope with his Heavenly Fa'
ther," said Mr.. Alien, soothingIy.
Yes, yes; let us hope. God is very
merciful, and Bennie was so good-I do
not mean holy" he said, correcting him.
self, sharply-"there is no one holy, no,
not one but Jesus died for sinners. Mr.
Allen tell that. 0, Bennie,-Bennie.n
The mother raised herself as she heard
his name called, and turning said, with a
smile, Don't call so loud, father, Beunie
il not far OFF, he will soon come"
God has laid his hand on them both
YOU see" said Mr.. Owen, without making
any direct reply. "She has not been just
herself since. 1t is merciful thing she
is sort Of Stunted, it seems to me. She
makes no walls
Mr.. Allen looked in astonishment at
the bowed man, as he came and stood be-
fore 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 OH you; he is trying
you in a furnace seven times heated he
exclaimed almost involuutarily.
The daughter, fair young girl!-Blos-
som, they called her-sat near them listen
lug with blanched cheeks. She had not
shed tear that day, and the terror in her
cheeks had been 50 very still that no one
had noticed it. She had occupied herself
mechanically in household duties, which
her mothers condition devoted entirely
upon her. Now she answered a gentle
tap at the door, opening it to receive a
letter from neighbor's hand. ut is
from him. was all she said.
Twas like message from the dead.
Mr.. Owen could not break the seal for bis
trembling fingers. and held it towards
Mr.. Allen with the hel plcsSness Of n child.
The minister opened it, and obcdient
TO a motion from the father he read as
follows:
dear Father: When this reaches you
| shall be in eternity. AT first it seemed
awful TO me, but have thought about it
so much that now it has no terror. They
say they will not bind NE or blind me,
but that may die like man. thought,