Daily Republican., 1879-02-14

and precious little BLOSSOM stand walt
ing for me: but shall never, nsvel
come. God bless you all. Forgiv.
your poor, poor Bennie.' Late that
night the door opened softly and lit
tie figure glidsd out and down the foot.
path that led to the road by the mill
She seemed rather flying than walking
turning her head neither to the right
nor left, startling as the full moor
stretched queer and fantastic shape,
all around her, looking now and then
to Heaven, and folding her hands as il
prayer.
Two hours later the same yonng gin
stood at the Mill Depot watching til.
coming night train, aud the conductor,
AZ he reached down to lit her in, won.
dered at the sweet tearstain-d face thai
was upturned toward the dim lantern
that he held in his hand.
A few questions and ready answers
told him all, and no father could have
cared more tenderly for his own
child than he did for Blossom.
She was on her way to Washington
to ask President Lincoln for her broth
er's life. She had stolen away leav-
ing note to tell her father where she
had gone. She had brought Bennie's
letter with her no good, kind heart
like the President could refuse to he
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 ROW
might be year IN her brothers. lite.'
And 80, in an theoretically short time
Blossom reached the capital and
was hurried at once to the White House.
The President had just seated himself
to his morning task OF overlooking and
signing papers, when, without one
word of announcement, the door opened
and Blossom, with eyes cast down and
folded hands, stood before him.
Well, my child" he said in pleas
ant, cherry tones. " What do you
want so bright and early in the morn
ing
"Bennie's life, sir, faltered out Bios
SON.
"B-unie! Who is Bennies'
MY brother, sir. They are going to
shoot him for sleeping at his post"
40, yes, and Mr.. Lincoln ran his eyes
befor. him-I remember. 1t was fatal
sleep. You SEE child, it was time OF
special danger. Thousands Of lives
might have been lost for mis- culpable
negligence
$50 my father said,' said Blossom
gravrly.' But my poor brother Bonnie
was 30 tired sir, and Jenny was so very
weak. He did the work OF two; and it
was J.mmy's night, not his. But Jenny
was too tired; aud Bonnie never thought
about himself that he was also tired.
"Wha. is that you say, nv childf
Come here, don't quite understand,
and the kind man caught eagerly at
what seemed TO be . justification OF an
offence
Blossom went TO hin; he put his hand
tenderly on her shoulder and turned
up the pale, serious face toward his.
How tall he seemed; he was President
of the United States too. A dim thought
of this kind rushed through Blossoms
mind, but she told her story simply
and straight-forwardly, and handed Mr..
Lincoln B-pnie's letter to read.
He read it carefully; then taking up
his pen, wrote a few hasty lines, and
rang the bell.
Blossom heard this order given
"S-nd the dispatch at once
The President then turned to the lit
tie girl and said:
go home, my child, and tell that
father Of yours, who could approve his
country's sentence, even when it took
the life of child, that Abraham Lin
coin thinks the life too precious to be
lost. 10 back, or wait till Tomorrow,
Bonnie will need change after he has
so bravely faced death. Wait and he
shall 20 with you.'
Two days aft-- this interview the
young soldier caue to the White House
with his sister.
lie was called into the Presidents
private room, and a strap fastened upon
the shoulders of man, Mr.. Lincoln
said, THAT could carry sick COM
rade's baggage and die for the good act
uncomplainingly."
Then Bonnie and Blossom took their
way 10 the Green Mountain home, and
a crowd gathered at the Mill Depot to
welcome them back, and farmer Ovens
head lowered above them all, as his
hand graspsd that of his boy.
That night Daisy and Brindls and
Bet came believing home from pasture,
for they heard a well-known voice call
them at the gate.