The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-12-03
Asleep at His Post.

"A young Soi0leF, the son OF y crmOD
farmer, while setting as sentinel after !
wearisome march, during which he had
carried tho knapsack and muskes of .
sick comrade, foil asleep at his post, and
was cf course sentenced to be shot
Prior to the time of execution he wrote
to his father, explaining the facts, and
closing as follows:
s'To.night. in the early twilight, I shall
see the cows all coming home from the
pasture-Daisey, and Brindle; and Bet
old Billy, too will neigh from his stall,
and precious little Blossom stand wait
ing for me, but shall never, never come.
God Bile you all! Forgive your poor
Bennie !"
/
Late that night the door opened softly,
and little figure glidei out and down
the footpath that led to the road by the
mill. She seemed rnther flying than
walking, turning her head neither to the
right nor left; starting as the full moon
stretched queer fantastic shapes all round
her; looking only now and then to
heaven and folding her hands as if in
prayer.
Two hours later the same young girl
stood at the Mill Depot, watching the
coming of the night train, and the con
ductor. as he reached down to lift her In,
wondered at the sweet. tear-stained face
that was up turned toward the dim Ian
tern he held in his hand.
A few questions and ready answers told
him all, and no father could have cared
more tcnderly for his own child than he
for our Blossom.
She was on he way to Washington, 10
ask President Lincoln for her brother 3
life. She had stolen away, leaving only
note to tell her father where and why
she had goue. She had brought Ben
nic's letter with her; no good, kind
be melted by it.
The next morning she reached New
York, and the conductor found suitable
company for Blossom, and hurried her on
to Washington. Every minute now
might be year in her brothers life.
And so, in an incredibly short time,
Blossom reached the Capitol, and was
hurried at once to the White House
The President had just seated himself to
his morning task of overlooking and sign-
ing important papers, when, without one
word of announcement, the door softly
opened, and Blossom, with eyes down
cast and folded hands. stood before him.
ssWell, my child" he said in pleas
ant tone, "what do you want SO bright
and early in the morning."
"Bennie's life please, sir" faltercd
out Blossom.
.sBennie Who is Benhie?"
"My brother, sir They are going TO
shoot him for sleeping at his post"
"Oh! yes" and Mr.. Lincoln ran his
eyes over the papers before him; re
member 1t was fatal sleep. You see,
child, it was time of special danger.
Thousands of lives might have been lost
for his culpable negligence"
$50 my father said," said Blossom
bravely, shut my poor Bennie was SC
tired, sir. and Jenny SO weak. He did
the work of two, and it was Jcmmy's
night, not his !; but emmy was too tired
and Bennie never thought about himself
that he was also too tired"
"What is that you say, child Come
here; / don't understand :" and ths
kind man caught eagerly as ever at whal
seemed to be justification of an of.
fense.
Blossom went to him; lie put his
hand tenderly on her shoulder, and turn
ed up the pale, anxious face toward mis-
How tall he seemed; and he was Prcsi-
dent of the United States, too! A dim
thought of this kind passed for momen.
through Blossoms mind but she told
her story now simply and straight for.
ward, and handed Mr.. Lincoln Bennie' e
letter to read.
He read it carefully then taking up
his pen, wrote few hasty lines, and
rang the bell.
Blossom heard this order given:
s.SEND THIS DIsPArcE AT ONCE"
The President then turned to the girl
and said
ssGo home, my child, and tell that
father of yours. who could approve his
country's sentence, even when it took the
! life Of child like that, that Abraham
/ Lincoln thinks the life far too precious to
be lost. Go back, or wait until to-mor-
row. Bennie will need change after ho
has SO bravely faced death he shall 60
with you."
s.God bless you, sir" said Blossom !;
and who shall doubt that God heard and
registered that request
Two days after this interview the
young soldier came to tho White House
with his little sister. He was called into
the Presidents private room. MIR. Lin
coin said, ''that lie could carry sick
comrades baggage, and die for the good
act uncomplainingly."
Then BenEie and Blossom took their
way to the Green Mountain house, and a
crowd gathered at the Mill depot to well
como them back, and farmer Owens
head lowered above them all; and as his
hand grasped that Of his boy. Sir. Allen
heard him say fervently, as the best
blessing he could have pronounced upon
his child
"Just and true are Thy ways, Thou
King of Saints"
That night Daisy, and Bripdlc, and
Bet came lowing home from the pasture,
/ for they heard . ell-known voice calling