Columbia gazette., 1853-12-17
MISCELLANY.
.LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTA
TION."
A COURT INCIDENT.

Law--though framed for the protec-
ton of society, for. the individual bene-
1t OF its members--often admits of a
construction adverse to the designs Of its
legislators; and in its apple ,tion, fire.
quenfiy defeats the object which it was
intended to sustain. We have, howev-
er. numerous instances, wherein honest
jurles have given their verdicts, con-
formally to the promptings of justice;
and, happily, when such decisions have
not been too widely different from the
expressed rule, they have escaped from
the appeal.
We take pleasure in relating an Incl
dent, which greatly enlisted our sympa-
thies, held us spell bound by its interest
and finally made our heart leap with JOY
at It's happy termination.
In the spring Of ls4- we Glanced to
be spending few da,s in beautiful in
land country town in Pennsylvania 1t
was court-week, and to relieve US from
the somewhat monotonous incidents Of
village life, we stepped into the room
where the court had convened.
Amongthc prisoners in the box, we
saw lad but ten years of age, whose
sad ana pensive countenance, his young
and innocent appearance, caused him to
look sadly out of place among the hard
ened criminals by whom he was surroun-
ded. Close by the box and manifest
ing the greatest interest IN the proceed
| ingS, sat fearful woman, WHO in anx-
i"us glanccs from ihe Judge to the boy,
left us no room to doubt that it was his
mother We turned with sadness from
the scene, to inquire the offence of
the prisoner, and learned he was accused
of stealing money.
The case was soon commenced, and
by themterest manifested by that large
crowd, We found that our heart was not
the only one in whicl, sympathy for the
lad existed. How we pittied him! The
bright smile of youth had vanished from
his face, and now it more expressed the
cares of the agcd.--His young sistcr-a
brie h:-eyeS girl--had gHined ,dmission
to his side, and cheered him with the
whisperings Of hope. But that sweet
voice, which before caused his heart to
bound with happiness. added only to the
grief his shame had brought upon him.
The progress of the case acquainted
us with the circumstances of the loss,
the extent OF which was a dime--no
more!
The lads employer, wealthy, mis-
erly and unprincipled manufacturer, had
made use of it, for the purpose Of what
he called ''testing the boys honesty"
1t was placed where from its very posi-
ton the lad would oftenest see it, and
least suspect the trap. A day passed,
and the master, to his modification, not
pleasure, found the coin untouched.
Another day passed, and yet his object
was not gained He was, however, de-
termined that the boy should take it, and
so let it remain.
This continued temptation was too
much for the lads resistance. The
dime was taken. A simple present for
that little sister was purchased with it.
But while returning home to gladden. her
heart, his own was made heavy by being
arrested for theft!--a crime, the nature
of which he little knew. These circum-
Stances were subtantiated by several of his
employers workmen, who were also par
ties to the plot. An attorney urged
upon the jury, the necessity of making
this little rouge an example to others,
by punishment. His address had great
effect upon all that heard it.-Bcfore, /
could see many tears Of sympathy for
the lad, his widowed mother and faith
full sister. But their eyes were all dry
now, and none looked as if they cared
for, or expected ought else but a convic-
ton.
The accuser sat in conspicuous place
smiling, as if in fend-like exultatioa.
over the misery he had brought upon that
poor, but once happy trio.
| We efelt that there was but little hope
for the attorney, who had volunteered
his defence, gave no encouragement
as We learned that it was the young
mans maiden plea-his first address.
He appeared greatly confused and reach
ed to desk near him, from which be
took the Bible that had been used to
solemnize the testimony. This move
was received with general laughter, and
taunting remarks-among which we
heard harsh fellow close by US, cry
out
! "He forsets where he is Thinking