The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1881-04-13

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he would have dropped by the way. L was
all tired out when we went into camp, and
then il was Jimmy's turn 10 be sentry and |
would take his place; but L was too tired,
father. / could not have kept awake though
gun had been pointed at my head; but l
did not know it untiI-well-until it was
too late"
"God be thanked" said Mr.. Owen. al
knew Bonnie was not the boy to sleep care
less at his post"
"They tell me to-day that have short
reprieve-' time to write to you our good
Colonel says. Forgive him, father, he only
does his duty; he would gladly save me if
he could. And do not lay my death against
Jimmie. The poor boy is broken-hearted
and does nothing but beg and entrest them
to let him die in my stead.
Il can't bear to think of mother and
Blossom. Comfort them father. Tell them
1 die as brave boy should, and that, when
the War is over, they will not be ashamed of
me as they must be now. God help me; it
is very hard to bear Goodbye, father. God
seems near and dear TO me, az if He felt sorry
for his poor, broken hearted child, and would
take me TO be with Hmm better, better
life.
Tonight / shall see the cows coming
home from pasture, and precious little Bios
som standing ON the stoOp, waiting for me;
butt shall OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. God
bless you all. Forgive your poor Bonnie" "
Late that night little figure glided down
the foot-path to the railway station. The
guard, as he reached down to lift her into
the carriage, wondered at the tear-stained
face that was upturned toward the dim Ian
tern he held in his hand.
4 H. F1ld
him all, and no father could have cared
more tenderly for his only child than be for
our little Blossom. She was on her way to
Washington to ask President Lincoln for
her brothers life. She had brought Ben
MES letter with her; no good, kind heart,
like the Presidents, could refuse to be melt
ed by it..
The next morning they reached New
York, and the guard hurried her on to
Washington. Every minute now might be
the means of saving her brothers life. The
President had just seated himself to his
evenings task. when the door softly opened
and Blossom, with downcast eyes and folded
hands, stood before him.
aWell, my child" he said, in his pleasant,
cheerful tones, "What do you want2"
"Bennie's life, please, sir" faltered Bios
som.
."Benniel vino is Bennie2"
"My brother, sir. They are going to shoot
him for sleeping at his post"
"Oh, yes, L remember. 1t was fatal
sleep. You see, child, it was q time of
special danger. Thousands of lives might
have been lost by his negligence"
$50 my father said," replied Blossom,
gravely. "But poor Bonnie was so tired
and Jimmie so weak. He did the work of
two, sir, and it was Jimmies night, not his;
but Jimmie was too tired, and Bonnie never
thought about himself, that he was tired,
too"
"What is this you say, chid2 Come here,
do not understand" And the kind man.
as ever, caught eagerly at what seemed to
be a justification of an offense.
Blossom went to him. He put his hand
tenderly on her shoulder, and turned up the
pale, anxious face toward his. How tall be
seemedl And he was President of the U nited
States. too. a dim thought of this kind
passed for amOment through little Blossoms
mind but she told her simple straight for
ward story, and handed Bennie's letter to
Mr.. Lincoln to read.
He read it carefully; then, taking up pen.
wrote few hasty lines and rang his bell.
Blossom heard this order given; 'Send this
ulsphICn dL OuCo.
The President then turned to the GIRL and
said, ''Go home, my child, and tell that
father of yours, who could approve his coun-
try's sentence, even when it took the life of
child like that, Abraham Lincoln thinks
the life far too precious to be lost. &c back,
or wait until tomorrow; Bonnie will need
change after he has so bravely faced death;
he shall go with you"
God bless you STRIP said Blossom.
Two days after this interview, the young
soldier came to the White House with his
little sister. He was called into the Presi-
dents private room, and strap was fas-
tened on his shoulder. Mr.. Lincoln then
said, ''The soldier that could carry sick
comrades baggage, and die tor the act so I'M
complainingly, deserves well of his coun-
try"
Then Bannie and Blossom took their way
to their Green Mountain home. A crowd
gathered at the railway station to welcome
them back; and, as Farmer Owens hand
grasped that of his boy, tears flowed down
his cheeks. and he was heard to say, fervent-
ly, "The Lord be praised"