Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-03-06
aNistellanu.
4 Sleeping Sentinel Saved by His Sister.


AN INCIDENT OF TIE LATE AMERICAN WAR.
Mr.. Owen, pious farmer of Vermont,
rave his eldest son, benjamin, as soldier
in the Northern Federal army in the late
American Civil War of 1SGl-5. One day
a amessage arrived which fell like thun-
derbolt upon the anxious yet hopeful fam =
ily. The lad had been found asleep ut his
most as sentinel, and was condemned to be
shot.
The terrible news soon spread IN the
VILLAGE, and the good minister, Mr.. Allan,
came at once to see if it were psssible to
administer consolation to the heart-broken
parents.
''Oh sir, cried the sorrowing old man,
such dear. precious, noble boy thought,
when | gave him to his country, that not
Il father in all this broad land made so
precious gill-no not one. God forgive
me if my grief is II sin. Mr. Allan, the
dear boy only slept Il minute, just one little
minute, at his post; | know that was all,
for Bcnnie never dozed over duty. How
prompt and reliable he was!" and Mr..
Overs eyes wandered out over the brown
fields with such II pcrpleXed, wondering
look.
Il know he only fell OFF one little sec
ond; he was 50 Young, and not strong,
|, and only eighteen; and now they shoot
him because he was found asleep while
doing sentincln' Mr.. Owen repeated
these words very slowly. us if to find out
their true meaning. Twenty-four hours
the telegraph said only twenty-four
Where is Bennic now?'
with L;, ITnnvn,lr Entb wa will
hope" said Mr.. Allan, soothingly.
'Yes, yes, let us hope. God is very
merciful" he said, land Jesus died for
sinners who trust in Him. Oh, BGnnie,
Bennie!'
The mother raised herself as She heard
his name called, and turning, said with II
smile" Don't call SO loud, father. Ben
ME is not far of; he will come soon."
God has laid His hand on them both,
you see said Mr.. Owen, pointingdo her,
without making any direct reply. "She
has not been justly herself since. 1t is a
merciful thing she is sort of stunned, it
seems to me- she makes no wall"
Mr. Allan looked in astonishment at the
bowed man, us he came now and stood
before him. These few hours had done
the work of years. The sinewy frame was
tottering, 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 n
furnace seven times heated!' He eXclaim-
ed, almost involuntarily.
The daughter, II fair, young grl-l'loS-
som, us they called her-had sat near
them, listening with blanched cheek She
had not shed tear that day, and the ter
ror in her face had been SO very still that
not one noticed it. She had occupied
herself mechanically in the household
care, which her mothers condition devolv-
ed entirely upon her. Now she answered
gentle tap ut the kitchen door, opening
it to receive from II neighbor's hand Il let
ter. 1T is from him" was all she said.
Twas like Il message from the dead.
Mr.. Owen could not break the seal for his
trembling fingers, and held it toward Mr.,
Allan with the helplcssncss OF Il little child.
The minister opened it, and, obedient to Il
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 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, father. it might have been on the
battle field for my country; but to be shot
down like dog to die for neglect of duty
Oh, father, | wonder the very thought
doe not Kill me! But shall not disgrace
you am going to write You all about
it, and when am gone you may tell my
comrades.
You know l promised Jenny Carrs
mother would look after her boy, and
when he fell sick did all could for him
He was not strong when he was ordered
back into the ranks, and the day before
that night carried all his luggage besides
my oNn, on our march, Toward nigh
we went in on double quick, and though
the luggage began to feel very heavy
everybody else was tired too; and rs fol
Jenny if | had not lent him an arm now
and them he would have dropped by the
way | was all tired out when came int
camp, and then it was Jemmy's turn to bC
sentry, and | would take his place; but
was too tired father. | could not have KEEP
awake if had hal IA gun at my head; hu
did not know it until-well, until it was
n too latc.'
N {" God be thanked" interrupted Mr.
n Owen, rcverently. 81 knew Benne was
4 not the boy TO sleep careessly ut his post. -
lhey tell me TO day mat have !
a short reprIeve' gwen to me by cireum
stances time to write to you, our goot
colonel says ior&lve MN, Ialler-he onl.
does his dulyi he would gladly save me l
he could AND don lay my death agaIns
Jenny; the poor boy IS broken-hearted
and does nothing but beg and entrca
them to let him die in my stead
:" can't bear to think of mother and
q Blossom, Comfort them, father! tell then
n die as brave boy shouldi and thai
when the war is over, they will not be
ashamed OF me, as they must be now. Coz
help me! Goodbye, father God Seems
near and dear to me; not at all as II III
wished me to perish forever, but us ii liz
felt sorry for His poor sinful, broken
hearted child and would take me To b'
A with !lim and my Savior, in better
better life!
# Ga great Sob burst from Mr.. Owen
heart Amcn!' he said, solemnIy
# Amen
"a Tonight IN the early twilight, L shat