Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-10-19
BeHtattaiifHattlH'il,i.
Sentenced to be shet.

out in twenty-four hours. Mr.. Allen,
the minister, called TO do what he
could TO comfort the sorrowing family.
During the visit letter arrived; Bios
som, the farmers daughter, opened
the door and received it. Its from
him. was all she said. 1t was like a
message from the dead Mr. Owen
took the letter but could not break the
envelope, on account OF his trembling
fingers, and he held it toward Mr..
Allen with the helplessness of a
child. The minister opened it and
read as follows:
"Dear tather: When this reaches
you shall be in eternity. At first it
seemed awful to me, but have thought
about it and now it has no terror
They say they won't bind me, hut that
] may die like q man. l thought,
father, that it might have been on the
battlefield of my country, and that
when fell it would be fighting glo-
riously, but to be shot down like a
dog for nearly betrsying tito die for
neglect Of duty-oh, father, / wonder
the thought does not kill mel But |
shall not disgrace you. ! am going to
write you all about it, and when | am
gone you may tell my comrades. You
know promised Jimmie Carrs moth
or | would look after her boy, and
when he fell sick did all / could for
him. He was not strong when ordered
back into the ranks, and the day be-
fore that night I carried all his lug.
gage besides my own on our march.
Towards night we went on double
quick, and the luggage began to feel
very heavy, everybody else tired, too.
And as fo- Jimmie, if | had not lent
him an arm now and then be would
have dropped by the way. I was very
tired when we went into camp, and
then it was Jimmie's turn to be sentry,
and l would take his place, but 1 was
too tired, father. could not have
kept awake though gun had been
pointed at my head; but l did not
know 1t until-well, until it was too
late" y37s sE M
"God he thanked" said Mr.. Owen.
"I knew Bennie was not the boy to
sleep carelessly at his post
'They tell me to-day that | have a
short reprieve-tlme to write to you,
our good Colonel says. Forgive him;
he only does his duty, he would gladly
save me il he could And do not lay
my death against Jimmie. The poor
boy is broken hearted, and does moth
ing but beg and entreat them to let him
die in my stead.
II can't bear to think of mother and
Blossom. Comfort them, father. Tell
them 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 help him! 1t is hard to
bear Good bye, father. God feels
near and dear to me as if He felt sor-
ry for His poor, broken hearted child,
and would take me to be with Him in
o better life.
Tonight I shall see the cows com
ing from the pasture and precious little
Blossom standing on the step waiting
for me; but shall never, neve,. come
home. Good bless you ALL Forgive
your poor Bennie."
Late that night a 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 turned
toward the dim lantern he held in his
hand.
A few questions and ready answers
told him all, and no father could have
cared more ten1erly For his own child
than he for our little Blossom. She
was on her way to Washington to ask
President Lincoln for her brothers
life. She had brought Bennies letter
with her. No 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 President had just
seated himself at his evenings task,
when the door softly opened and Bios
som, with downcast eyes and folded
hands stood before him.
"Well, my child,' he said in his
pleasant cheerful tones, "what do you
want?'
"Bennie's life," please sir, faltered
Blossom.
ssBennie! who is Bennie?"
"My brother sir. They are going to
shoot him for sleeping at his post"
"Oh, yes; ! recollect 1t was fatal
sleep. You see child, it was time Of
special danger. Thousands of lives
might have been LOST by his negli-
gence."
$50 father said," replied Blossom,
gravely. "But poor Bennie was tired,
sir, and Jimmie was SO weak. He did
the work for two, sir, and it was jim
mics night, not his; but Jimmie was
too tired. Bennie never thought OF
himself, and he was tired too" VI
"What is that you say, child? come
here. ] do not understand" and the
kind man, ! ever, caught eagerly at
what seemed to be . justification Of any
offense. e