I
cannot, now.
"You know I promised Jemmie Carr's mother I would look after her
boy; and when he fell sick I did all I could for him. He was not
strong when he was ordered back into the ranks, and the day
before that night, I carried all his luggage besides my own on
our march. Towards night we went in on double quick, and though
the luggage began to feel very heavy, everybody else was tired,
too; and as for Jemmie, if I had not lent him an arm now and then
he would have dropped by the way. I was all tired out when we
came into camp, and then it was Jemmie's turn to be sentry. I
would take his place; but I was too tired, father. I could not
have kept awake if a gun had been pointed at my head; but I did
not know it until--well, until it was too late."
"God be thanked" interrupted Mr. Owen, reverently, "I knew Bennie
was not the boy to sleep carelessly at his post."
"They tell me to-day that I have a short reprieve, 'time to write
to you,' the good Colonel says. Forgive him, Father, he only
does his duty; he would gladly save me if he could; and do not
lay my death against Jemmie. The poor boy is heart-broken, and
does nothing but beg and entreat them to let him die in my place.
"I can't bear to think of mother and Blossom. Comfort them,
Father! Tell them I 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 me! It is very hard to bear! Good-bye, father,
God seems near and dear to me; not at all as if he wished me to
perish forever, but as if he felt sorry for his poor sinful,
broken-hearted child, and would take me to be with him and my
Savior in a better life.
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