Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1881-04-27
Sentenced TO bs Shot.

Farmer owens son Inu pecn iouh''
asleep doing sentinel duty, aud was
sentenced 20 be shot, A Telegram had
been received by his father saying
that the sentence would be carried out
in twenty.iour hours. Mr. Allen the
minister, called to do wha. hc could
to comfort the sorrowing family. Dur
Ing his visit letter arrived, Blossom,
the farmers little daughter, opened
the door and received 1t. ats Is from
him." was all shc said.
1t was like message from the
dead. Mr.. Owen took the letter, but
could not break the envelope. on &C.
count oil his trembling fingers, aud
held IL toward Mr.. Allen with the
helplcsncss ola child.
Tho minister opened 1t, and read as
follows: Dear Father when this
reaches you I-shall-be--in--eter'
nifty. At frs, IT seemed awful TO me
but ! nave thought 40 much about II
now, that il has no terror. They say
they will not bind nor blind me, but
,ba, | may meet my death like a man.
| thought, father, that it it might be
on the battlefield for my country, and
that when fell il would be fighting
glorously but to be shot down like
a dog Tor nearly betray'ng Ito d'o
for neglect of duty-O father Won
der the very thought don't kill me !!
But shall not disgrace you. am
going to tell you all about it, and when
| am gone you may tel my comrades
You know that promised Jimmie
Cars mother | would look after her
boy and when he fell sick l did oil
| could for him. He was no: strong
when he was ordered back into the
ranks, and the day before that night !
carried all his luggage, besides my
own, OH our march. Toward night
we wen, ID on double quick, aud tho
the luggage began to be heavy, every,
body else was tired too. Andas for Jim
mie, ifI had not lent him an arm now
and then, he would have dropped by
the way. Twas all tired OUT when We
went into camp, and then it was jim
mics turn to be sentry, and l woald
take his place but l was too tireo
father. Icould not have kept awake
though u gun had been polntee
at my head but l did not kno"
it uptil-well-until it was too late.
"God be thanked!" said Mr.. Owen
4 knew Bennie was not the boy to
sleep carelessly at his post"
"They tell me today, that have
short replieve--'time to write to you'
our good colonel says. Forgive hln
father, he only does his duty HI
would gladly save me ifhe could, An'
do not lay my life against Jimmie
The poor boy is broken-hearted, an'
does nothing but beg and intreat then
to let him die IN my stead.
IL can't bear to think of mother ant
Blossom. Comfort them father. Tel
them l die as brave boy should, anc
that when tine war is over they VII
not be ashamed of me as the!
must be now. God help me it is yer.
hard to bear. Goodbye, father. Coo
seems near and dear to me, as it he fel
sorry for his poor, broken hearted
child, and would take me to be will
him in better, better life.
'.To-night shall see the cows com
ing home from pasture, and precious
little Blossom standing Oh the stoop
waiting for me; but-l-shall- neve
-come. God bless you all. Forslv'
your poor Bennie.'
Late that night a little figure glid
ed down the footh-path toward th'
railway station. The guard as he
reached down to lift her into the car
rage, wondered at the tear-stalnet
face that was upturned toward the din
lantern he held in his hand.
A few questions and ready answer
told hlm all, and no father could hav'
cared more tenderly for his only chilt
than he did for our little Blossom. Sh'