The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1882-08-08

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Allen with the helplessness Of child.
The minister opened it and read as
iollowsi
dear Fatlier.--Whan this reaches
you I--shall--be-=in--ct eternity. At
first il seemed awful to me, but l
have thought about it and now it has
no terror. They say they won't bind
me; but thatI may meet my death
like a man. | thought. father, that
it might have been on the battle field
ofmy country, and that when | fell,
it would be fighting gloriously, but
to be shot down like dog for nearly
betraving ito die for neglect of
duty, = b, faith, . | wonder the though;
does not kill ne. But l shall not dis
grace you. | am going to write you
all about it, and when ] am gone yoa
may tell my comrades You know
promised Jimmie CARTS mother8l
would look after her boy; an 1 when
he fell sick | did all | could for him.
He was not strong when ordered back
into the ranks. AMI the day before
that night l carried all his luggage,
besides my own, on the march. Tow.
ard night we went on double quick,
and the luggage began to Ieel very
heavy. every body else tired, too. And
as for Jimmie. il 1 had not lent him an
arm now aud then he would have
dropped by the way. l was tired
when we went iuto camp, and then it
was Jimmie's turn to be sentry, aud
| would take his place; but was too
tired. father. ! could not have kept
awake though gun had been pointed
at my head; but ! did not know it I'M
til, we'll = until il was too late.
"God be thanke,i" said AIR. Owen,
ii knew Bennle was not the boy to
sleep carelrsslyat his post.n
"rhey tell me to day that have a
short rcprieve--'time to write to you.'
our good Colonel says. Forgive him,
father, he only does his duty: he would
gladly save me il he couil. And 'lo
not lay my death against Jimmie.
The poor boy is broken hearted, and
does nothing but heg and entreat them
to let him die il my stead"
IL can't bear to think OF mother
| and Blossom. Comfort them father.
Tell them ! 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 mel Ills
hard To-. bear. Good bye, father.
Col feels near and dear to me, as il
The felt sorry for his poor broken-heart-
ed child. and would take me to 1--we
with him in better life.
ITO night / shall see the cows
coming from the pasture and precious
little Blossom standing on the stoop
waiting for me; but | shall neyer--
l,neyer--come home. uoi bless you
EaIl! Forgive your poor Bonnie. =
Late that night little figaro gid
| ed down the footpath toward the ra IL
way station. The guati. as he
reached down to lit her in the 1 car
rage, wondered at the tear-stained
face that was upInrued toward TIN
dim lantern lie held in his hand.
A few questions and ready answers
| told HIM all, aud no father could llav,
cared more ten,ierly for his own child
than he for our little, Blossom, She
was oil her way toiWsshington to ash
President Lincoln for her brothers
| life. She had brought Bennie's letter
with her. No good Kind heart like
the presidents could refuse to emelt
| ed by it. i
| The next morning she reached New
York and the guard hurried her on t
Washington. Every minnie nov
might be life. The president hat
lust seated himself to his evening,
task, when the door softly opened aud
Blossom, with down-cast eyes an.
folded hands, stood before him.
"Well. my child" he said in hi
pleasant, cheerful tones, "what doyo'
want?"
"Bemie's life, please sir" fa!tere'
Blossom. Il II
L rBenuiel Who is Bennie?"
.My brother, sir. They are goinl
, to shoot him for sleeping at his pos:
"Oh, yes; recollcct. 1t was ia