Year: 1870

| am gone you may tell my comrades. |
can't now-You know promised Jenny
Carl's mother that would look after her
boy, and when he fell did all could for
him. He was not strong when he was
ordered back into the ranks. and the day
before that night carried all his baggage
besides nv own. on our march Towards
night we went in on double-quick, and
the baggage began to feel very heavy
everybody else was tired too, and rs for
Sammy, if had not lent him an arm now
and then, he would have dropped by the
way. | was all tired out when | went
into the camp, and then it was Jemmy's
turn to be sentry, and would take his
place; but | was too tired father. could
not have kept awake if had had u gun
at my head But didn't uutil-well it
was too latc.n


God be thankcd!' interrupted Mr..
Owen revcrcntly. II knew Bcnnic was
not asleep carelessly at his post"


They tell me to-day that | have a
shor, seprieve given me BY circumstances
time to write YOU. our good Colonel
says Forgive him, father he only does
his duty. He would gladly save mel he
could And do not lay my death against
Jenny The poor boy is broken-hcarted,
and does nothing but beg and entreat
them to let him die in my stead.


Il can't bear to think OF mother and
Blossom. Comfort them, father. Tell
them that 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 me. it is very hard TO bear
Good-by. father. God seems near and
dear 10 me-not at all as if He wished me
TO perish forever, but as ii He felt sorry
for his poor sinful child, and would take
me to Him and be my Savior, in a better,
better lie. p"


"A great sob burst from Mr., Owens
heart. Amen he said olcmnly. Amen y


TO. night in the early twilight, shall
see the cows all coming home from pas
ture-Daisy and Brindle aud Bett Old
Billy. too. will neigh for his stall, and
precious little Blossom stand waiting for
me. but shall never. never come. God
bless YOU all. Forgive your poor, poor
Bennie."


Late that night the door opened softly,
and little figure glided ont and down
the foot path that leads to the road by the
mill She seemed rather flying than walk
inc, turning her heal neither TO the tight
nor left. starting as the full moon sketch
cd queer fantastic shapes all around her,
looking only now and then to heaven and
folding her hands rs if in prayer.


Two hours later the same young girl
stood n: the mill Depot, watching the
coming of the night train. and the con
ductor. rs he reached down to lit her in
wondered at the sweet, tear stained face
that was up turned towards the dim
lantern 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
did for Blossom.


She was on her way to Washington, to
ask President Lincoln for her brothers
lie. She had stolen away, leaving only
note To tell her father where and why
she had gone. She had brought Benny's
letter with her; no good, kind heart like
the Presidents could refuse 10 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 lile


And so, in an incredibly short time,
Blossom reached tho capital and was
hurried at once to the White House. The
| President had Just seated himself to his
morning task of overlooking and signing
important papers, when, without one
word of announcement the door softly
opened, and Blossom. with eyes cast
down and folded hands, stood before him.


well, my child" he said in apleasant
! CHEEKY tone, what do you want so early
in the morning"


"Bennie's lie, please sir" faltered out
Blossom.


"Bennie? Who is Bennie?


my brother, sir They are going TO
shoot him for sleeping at his post.


"Oh, yes, and Mr.. Lincoln ran his eye
over the paper before him. 'Iremember.
1t was fatal sleep. You see child, it
was time of fatal danger. Thousands
of lives might have been lost for his
culpable negligence"


$50 my father said," said Blossom.
gravcly, "but my poor brother was so
tired sir, Jenny was too tired"


"What is this you say, my child? Come
here. don't understand" aud the kind
man caught eagerly as ever at what
seemed to be justification Of an offense,


Blossom went to him he put his hand
tenderly on her shoulder, and turned up
the pale, serious face toward his. How
tall he seemed and he was the President
of the United States, too. A dim thought
of this kind passed through Blossoms
| mind hnf she told hnr story simnlY and