The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-02-25
SEN FENCED TO BE SHOT.

Farmer Owens son had been found as
leep when doing sentinel duty, and ne was
sentenced to be Shot. A telegram had been
received by his father saying the sentence
would be carried out in "a hours. MIR. Allen,
the minister, called to do what he could to
comfort the sorrowing family. During his
visit letter arrived; Blossom, the farmers
little daughter, opened the door and received
it. ITS from him." was all she said. 1t
was like message from the dead. Mr.. Ow-
en- took the letter but could not break the en-
yelope. on account of his trembling fingers,
and held it toward Mr.. Allen with the helpless
ness of child. The minister opened 1t and
read as follows;
"DEAR FATHER:-When this reaches you
I-shall-be-in-etern AT hrst 1t seem
ed awful to me, but l have thought about 1t
and now it has no terror. They say they
won't bind me, but that may meet my death
like man. I thought, father, that 1t might
have been on the battlefield OF my country,
and that when fell, it would be fighting glorl-
ouslv but TO be shot down like dog for near
" betraying ito die for neglect of duty
oh. father, I wonder the thought does not kill
me! But shall not disgrace you. am 60
ing to write you all about it, and when l am
gone you may tell my comrades. You know
promised Jimmie Cars mother would look
after her boy; and when he fell sick did all
| could for him. He was not strong when Or
dered back into the ranks, and the day before
that night carried all his luggage, besides my
own, on our march. Toward night we went
in on double-quick, and thought the luggage
began to feel very heavy, everybody else tired,
too. And as for Jimmie, if had not lent him
an arm now and then he would have dropped
by the way. was all tired out when we went
into camp, and then it was iInmie's turn to
be sentry, and l would take his place; but
was too tired, father. l could not have kept
awake though gun had been pointed at my
head; but did not know it until, well-unll
it was too late
"God be thanked!'' said Mr.. Owen, 81
knew Bonnie was not the boy to sleep careless
ly at his post"
"They tell me to-day that have short re-
prieve-'time to write to you,' our good Col
onel 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 entreat them to let him
die in my stead
81 can't bear to think of mother and Bios
som. Comfort them, father. Tell them that
die as a brave boy should, and that when
the war is over they will not be ashamed OF me
as they must be now. God held me! 1t is very
hard to hear. Good bye, father. God feels
near and dear to me, as if he felt sorry for his
poor, broken-hearted child. and would take
Inc to be with him in a better life.
"To-night shall see the COWS coming from
the pasture and precious little Blossom
standing on the stoop waiting for me; but l.
INSTRUMENTATION home. God bless
you all! Forgive your poor BENNIE."
Late that night little figure glided down
the footpath toward the railway station. The
guard, as he reached down to lift her in the
carriage wondered at the tear-stained face that
was upturned toward the dim lantern he held
in his hand.
few questions and ready answers told him
all, and no father could have cared more ten
aerly for his own child than he for our little
blossom. She was on her way to Washing
ton to ask President Lincoln for her brother
life. She had brought Bennie's letter with
her. No good, kind heart like the Presidents
could refuse TO be melted by it.
The next morning she reached New York,
and the guard hurried her on to Washington.
Every minute now might be life. The Presi-
dent had lust seated himself to his evenings
task. when the door softly opened and Bios
som. with down. cast eyes and folded hands,
stood before him.
"WeIl. my child" he said in his pleasant,
cheerful tones, "what do you want?'
"Bennie's life, please sir" ialtered Bios
som.
"Bennie! Who is Bennie!"
"My brother, sir, They are going to shoot