Year: 1866

Twas a letter from the dead. Mr.
Owen could not break tic seal for his
trembling fingers, and held it toward
Mr.. Allan with the helplessness of a
child.


The minister opened it, and obedient
to motion from the father, read rs fol-
lows: ....


"DEAR FATHER:-When this reaches
you, l shall be in eternity. At first, it
seemed awful to me; but l have thought
about it so much now that it has no ter
ror. They say they will not bind me,
but they will let me meet my fate like a
man. l thought, father, that it might
have been OH the field of battle, for my
country, and that when I fell, it would
be Sighting gloriously; but to be shot
d9kn like dog for nearly betraying it,
to die for neglect of duty!-oh, father, l
wonder that the very thought does not
kill me. But shall not disgrace you.-
| am going to write you all about it.;
when am gone, you may tell my COM
radcs; I can't now.


"lou know promised Jenny Carr's
mother would look after her boy, and
when he fell sick did all | could for
him. He was not strong when he was
ordered back into the ranks, and that
day before that night l carried all his
luggage beside my own, on our march.
Toward night we went in on double
quick, and though the luggage began to
feel very heavy, everybody else was tired
too, and as for Jenny, if l had not lent
him an arm now and then, he would
have dropped by the way. l was all
tired out when we came into camp, and
then it was Jemmy's turn to he sentry,
and would take his place, but l was
too tired, father. could not have kept
awake, if had had gun at my head,
but did not know it until-well, until
it was too late"


God be thanked" interrupted Mr..
Owen, fervently, II knew Benny was
not the boy to sleep at his post"


They tell me to-day that I have a
short reprieve, given to me by circum-
stances; time to write to YOU our good
Colonel says. Forgive him, father, he
, only does his duty; he would gladlysave
me if he could; and don't lay my death
up to Jenny. The poor boy is broken
hearted, and does nothing but to 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 brave boy should, and
that when the war is over they will not
be ashamed of me; it is very hard to
bear. Goodbye father, God seems near
ana dear to me; not at all as fhe wished
me to perish forever, but as II he felt sor-
ry for his poor, sinful, broken-hearted
child, and would take him to be with
him and my Savior, in better life


A great sob burst from Mr.. Owens
heart. "Amen" he said, solcmnly,
"Amen!'


Tonight in the early twilight, shall
see the COWS all coming home from pas
ture. Daisy and Brindlc and Bet; old
Billy, too, will neigh to me from his
stall, and pretty little Blossom standing
on the back stoop waiting for mc-but
shall never-never come. God bless you
all; forgive your poor Bennie."


Late that night the door of the back
stoop opened softly and little figure
glided out, and down the footpath that
led to the road by the mill. She seemed
rather flying, than walking, turning her
head neither to the right nor the left;
starting not, as the full moon stretched
queer, fantastic shapes all around her,
looking only now and then to heaven,
and folding her hands as if in prayer.
Two hours later the same young girl
stood at the Mill Depot, watching the
coming of the night train; and the con-
ductor, as he reached down to lift her i'm,
wondered at the sweet, tcar-staincd face
that was upturned toward the dim Ian
tern he held in his hand.


A few questions and ready answers
told him all, and no father could have
cared more tenderly for his own child
than he for our little Blossom.


She was on her way to Washington
toaok President Lincoln for her brothers.
life. She had stolen away, leaving only
note to tell her father where, and why
she had gone. 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 they reached New
York, and the conductor found suitable
company for Blossom and hurried her on
to Washington. Every minute now,
might be year in her brothers. life.


And SO in an incredibly short time,
Blossom reached the capital, and was
/ hurried at once to the White House.


The President had but seated himself
| To his MORNINGS task of fOyerlnnl, inu and