South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1878-06-07
SAVED BY HIS SISTER.


gave his eldest son. benjamin.. az a sol.
dier in the Northern Federal army in
the late American civil war of 1851
90 One day message arrived which
fell like thunderbolt upon the anxious
yet hopeful family. The lad had been
found asleep at his post as sentinel, and
was condemned to be shot.
The terrible news soon spread In the
village, and the good minister. Mr.. AL.
len, came at once to sec if it were
possible to administer consolation to
the heart-broken parents.
''Oh, sir" cried the sorrowing old
man, "such dear, precious, noble boy
l thought, when gave him to his coun.
try. that not father in all this broad
land made so precious a gift-no. not
one. God forgive me if my grief is a
sin. Mr.. Allen, tue dear old boy only
slept minute, just one little minute
at his post; know that was all, for
Bonnie never dozed over duty. How
prompt and reliable he was !" and Mr..
OWENS eyes wandered out over the
brown fields with such a perplexcd,
wondering look.
Il know he only fell off one 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
while doing sentincl!' Mr.. Owen re-
peated these words very slowly. as if to
find out their true meaning. Twenty.
four hours-the telegraph said only
twenty-four. Where is Bonnie now?"
"With his heavenly Father, we will
hope" said MIR. Allen, soothingfS.
Yes. yes, let us hope. God is very
merciful r. lie said. land Jesus died for
sinners who trust in Him. y Bonnie,
Bennic!"
The mother raised herself as she
heard his name called. aud. turning.
said with q smile: Don't call 80 loud.
father: Bennis is not far Off; he will
come sonn."
God has laid His hand on them both,
yOn see," said Mr.. Owen. pointing TO
her. without making any direct reply.
'She has not been justly herself since.
1t Is merciful thing she is sort of
stunned, it seems to me she makes no
wall
Mr.. Allen looked IN establishment at
the bowed man, as he came now and
stood before him. These few hours had
done the work of years. The sinewy
frame was lettering. the eyes were dim
med, and the sudden sorrow had writ
ten itself in deep wrinkles nil over his
manly face. God have mercy on you !;
times beatcdf he exclaimed almost
involuntarily.
The daughter, fair, young girl
Blossom. as they called her-had sat
near them. listening with blanched
cheek. She had not shed q tear that
day, and the terror in her face had been
so very still that no one noticed it. She
had occupied herself mechanically in
the household cares, which her mother 8
condition devolved entirely upon her
Now she answered n gentle tap ~ the
kitchen door, opening it to receive from
neighbours hand letter. cit is from
him." was MI size said.
Twas like message from the dead.
Mr.. Owen could not break the seal for
his trembling fingers, and held it to-
ward Mr.. Allen with the helplcssnoss Of
little child. The minister opened it,
and. obcdient to motion from the
father, read as follows;
DEAR FATItER--Whe this reaches
you shall bn in eternity. AZ first it
seemed awful to me, but have thought
about it so much now that it has no
terror. They say they will not bind
me nor blind me. but that | may meet
my death like man. | thought IA
Their. it might have been on the battle
field for my country; but not to be shot
down like dog to die for neglect OF
duty y father, | wonder the very
thought does not kill me But l shall
not disgrace you. am going TO write
you all about it, and when ] am gone
you may tell my comrades.
You know | promised Jenny Carr s
mother | would look after her boz, and
when hc fell sick did all could for
him. he was not strong when Inc was
ordered back into the ranks. and the
day before that night I carried oil his
luggage, besides my own, on our march.
Toward night We went in on doublc'
quick. and, though the luggage began TO
feel very heavy, everybody else was
tired, too and a. for Jenny. If had
not lent him an arm now and then Ire
would have dropped by the way. / was
all tired ont when / came into camp.
and then it was Jcmmy's turn 20 be
sentry, aAd I would take his place. but
was too tired, father | could not
have kept awake if had had n gun at
my head but dill not know it until
we'll, until il vas too late"
Good be thanked ~ interrupted Mr..
Owen, reyereutly. "I knew Bonnie was
not the boy to sleep carelessiy at his
post.")
"rhoy tell me to-day that I have a
short reprievc, given 20 me by circum-
stances-time TO write TO you'-our
good Colonel says. Forgive him. father
-he only does his dnty he would glad
~ save me If lie could. And don't Law
my death against Jenny tho poor boy
is broken.hcartcd, and does nothing
but beg and cntrcat them TO let him die
in my stead.
81 can't bear 20 think OF my mother
and Blossom. Comfort them father
tell them that I die az brave how