The Empire County argus. [volume] (Coloma, El Dorado County, Cal.) 1853-1857, 1853-12-31
COLOMA EL DORADO COUNTY, CA SATURDAY MORNING. DECEM

employers workmen, who were also parties to the
plot An attorney urged upon the jury the neces-
sity of making this "lttle rogue an example to
others, by punishment His address had great ef-
feet upon all that heard it. Before, I could see
many tears of sympathy for the lad, his widowed
mother and faithful sister But their eyes were all
dry now, and none looked as if they cared for, or
expected ought else but conviction,
The accuser sat in conspicuous place smiling,
as if in fend-ike exuaion, over the misery he had
brought upon that poor but once happy trio.
We felt that there was but little hope for the at
torney who had volunteered his Defence gave no
encouragementas we learned that it was the
young mans maiden plea-his first address. He
appeared greatly confused and reached to desk
near him. from which he took the Bible that had
been used to solemnize the testimony. This move
ment was received with general laug liter and taunt-
ing remarks, among which we heard harsh fellow
close by us, cry out,
He forgets where he is. Thinking to take hold
of some pondcrous law book he has made mistake,
and got the Bible
The remark made the young attorney flush with
anger, and turning his flashing eye upon the aud
ience, he convinced them that it was no mistake,
saying:
"Justice wants no other book
His confusion was gone, and instantly he was as
calm as the sober-lookng judge upon the bench
The Bible was opened, and every eye was upon
him as he quietly and leisurely turned over the
leaves. Amidst breathless silence, he read these
words:
LEAD as not into temptation.'
A minute of unbroken silence followed and he
again read:
q Lead as not into temptations"
We felt our heart throb at the sound of those
words The audience looked at each other without
speaking, and the jurymen mutely exchanged
glances, as the appropriate quotation carried its
moral to their hearts. Then followed an address
which, for its pathetic eloquence, we have never
heard exceled. Its influence was like magic We
saw the guilty accuser leave the room in fear OF
personal violence. The prisoner looked hopeful
the mother smiled again, and before its conclusion
there was not an eye in court that was not moist
The speech was affecting to that degree which
causes tears; it held its hearers spel-bound.
The little time that was necessary to transpire be-
before the verdict of the jury could be learned
period Of great anxiety and suspense. But when
their whispering consultation ceased and those
man. they passed like thrill of electricity from liz
to lip--the austere dignity of the court forgot
ten, and not voice was there that did not join the
acclamations that hailed the lads release
The lawyers first plea a successful one. He
was soon tavorte, and now represents his district
in the counses Of the nation. The lad has never
ceased his grateful remembranees, and are, by the
affecting scene herein attempted to be described
have often been led to think how manifold greater
is the crime of the tempter than that of the tempt
ed Arthur'S Magaeine.
The above touching incident is literally true, the
circumstances being well known to us. 1t occurred
in Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania, and the
then youthful, but eloquent advocate, is the Hon
John c. Kunke, the present able Representative ii
Congress from the Dauphn District.-Daily Sun