Year: 1866

without making any direct reply. She
has not been justly herself since. 1t is
merciful thing she is sort of stunned, It
seems to me she makes no wall. Poor
mother, If my heart was not 60 near brok-
en- il would almost kill me to see her so.
Bennie was her idol. told her often God
had said, Thou shalt have no other gods
before me-"


Mr.. Allan looked in establishment at
the bowed man as he came now and stood
before him. These few hours bad done
the work of years. The sinewy frame
was tottering, the eyes we're dimmed, and
the sudden sorrow had written itself in
deep wrinkles all over his manly face
He recognized the power Of the great
kind heart, simple and almost childlike in
its innocent childlike affection how could
this be reconciled with the stern, strong
head--the head that to common observers
outlined the character Of the man p" God
have mercy on you; he is trying you in
furnace seven times heated" he exclaimed
almost involuntarily.


81 would be ashamed, father y he said,
"when / am man, to think | never used
this great right ARMAND he held il out
so proudly before me-" for my country
when it needed it. Palsy it, rather than
keep it at the plough"


"Go, Bennie, then 60, my boy" | said,


God keep you. God has kept him, i


think, Mr.. Allan !" and the farmer repeat


ed these words slowly, as if in spite of his


head, his heart doubted them.


Like the apple of his eye, Mr.. Owen,


doubt it not"


Blossom had sat near them listening with


blanched cheek. She had not shed a


tear to-day, and the terror in her face had


been SO very still that no one had noticed


it. She had occupied herself mechanical.


ly in the household duties, which her moth


er's condition devolved entirely upon her


Now she answered gentle tap at the


kitchen door, opening TO receive from I


neighbor's hand letter. g ii is from him,


was all she said.


Twas like message from the dead
Mr.. Owen could not break the sesl for hi
trembling fingers, and held it toward MI
Allan with the helplessness of child.
e The minister opened it, and obe9ient


motion from the father, read as follows


DEAR FATHER When this reache


you / shall be in eternity. At first
" seemed awful to me but | have thongl
I so much about it that now it has no terro
!, They say they will not bind me nor bin


me, but that may meet my death like


man. I thought, father, it might hav


been on the field for my country, and tha
when fell it would be fighting gloriously
!. but to be shot down like dog for nearl.
betraying it, TO die for neglect Of duty /


Oh, father, ! wonder the very thought doe
not kill me. But shall not disgrace you
] am going to write you all about it, ant
when am gone you may tell my comrades
can't now.


You know promised Jemmy Carr
mother l would look after her boy, an
when he fell sick did all could for him
, He was not very strong when he was OF
dered back to the ranks, and the day be
fore that night carried all his luggage be
side my own on the march. Toward
:, night we went in on the double quick, an
though the luggage began to feel yer
: heavy, every body else was tired too, an


as for Jenny, if had not lent him a


arm now and then he would have droppe


by the way. was all tired out when W
I. came into camp, and then it was Jemmy
1 turn to he sentry, and / would have take
J. his place, but was too tired. father.
r could not have kept awake If had had
gun at my head, but did not know unit
s well too late"


!" God be thanked" interrupted M
= Owen, reverentially, " knew Bennie WI
r, not the boy to sleep carelessly at bis post
j They tell me to-day that | have
r short reprieve, given to me by the circun
a stances, time to write TO you our goo
y Colonel says. Forgive him, father,
d would gladly save me if he could, and o.
1t ly does his DUTY. Don't lay up my dea
lie against Jenny. The poor boy is broke
pt hearted and does nothing but entreat the
IS to let him die in my stead.


is 81 can't bear to think of mother al
i Blossom. Comfort them, father. Te
he them die as brave boy should, and th
ol when the war ends they will not be asian
y ed of me as they must be now. God he
e. me; it is very hard to bear. Good by
l. father. God seems near and dear to m
is not at all as If be wished me TO perish fo
lr ever, but as if he fe.t sorry for this poe
he sinful, broken hearted child, and wou
s. take him to be with Him and my Savio