Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1853-12-24
Lead US not into Temptation" /"


Among the prisoners in the box, we saw
lad Of but tender years, whose sad and pen
sive coun,enance, caused him 10 look sadly
ou, Of place among The hardened criminals
by whom he was surrounded. Close by the
box, aud manife.ling The greatest interest in
the proceeding, sal fearful woman, whose
anxious glance from the Judge to the boy,
left us M room TO doubt that it was his mo-
ther. We turned with sadness from the
scene 10 enquire Of the offence Of the prison.
er, aud learned he was accused of stealing
money. is,t s-Hf g.4G
The case was soon commenced and by
the interest manifested by tha, large crowd,
we found that oui heart was not the only one
in which sympathy for the lad existed
How we piieJ him The bright smile had
vanished from his face aud now il more ex-
pressed The cares Of the aged His young
siser-a bright eyed airl-had gained adtnis-
sion 10 his side, and cheered him with The
whisperings OF hope Blu, that sweet voice,
which before caused his heart 10 bound with
| happiness, added only 10 the grief of his
shame had brought upon him.
The progress of the case acquainted us
with The circumstances Of the loss, the ex-
tent Of which was but dime-no more
The lads employer, wealthy, miserly
aud unprinciped manufacturer, had made
use Of it, lor the purpose of what he called
''iesiing the boys honesty" 1t was placed,
where from lis very position the lad would
oftenest see II, and least suspect the trap
A day passed, and The master, TO his morifi-
cation, no, pleasure, found the coin untJuch-
ed, Anohor day passed, and yet his object
was not gained This continued temptation
was TOO much for the lads resistance. The
dime was taken. simple present for tha,
! little sister was purchased with it. These
circumstances were sustained BY several OF
his employers workmen, who were also
parties Of The plot. An attorney urged upon
! the Jury the necessity OF making the ''litile
rouge" an example 10 others, by punishment
| His address had great effect npon all who
heard it. Before conld see many tears OF
sympathy for The lad, his widowed mother,
and his faithful sister. But their eyes were
all dry now, and none looked as If they cared
| for or expected aneht else but conviction.
| The, a"cusar sat in conspicuous place,
| smiling as il in fiend-like exuniion over the
misery he had brought upon that poor, but
once happy trio.
We felt iha, there was bu, little hope for
the boy and the youthful appearance of the
attorney who had volunteered his defence,
| gave no encouragement--as we learned tha,
it was the young mans maiden plea-hs
frs, address. He appeared greatly confused
and reached to desk near him, from which
| he took The Bible that had been used 10 sol
emnize the testimony. This movement was
received with general laughter and iauu,ing
remarks-among which we heard fellow
close by us say, Ole forgeis where he is -
! Thinking 10 take hold Of some ponderous law
book, he has made mistake and goi the
Bible"
The remark made The young attorney
flush with anger, and tuning his flashing
eye upon the audience, he convinced them
il was no mistake, saying, "Juslice wants nc
other book" His confusion was gone, and
instantly he was as calm as the sober Judge
on the bench.
The Bible was opened, and every eye wat
upon him, as he quietly and leasurely turnec
over The leaves Amidst breaihless ST
lence, he read 10 The Jury this sentence
'LeQd as not INFO Temptation 4"
We feh our heart ihrob at the sound o
those words. The audience looked at eaci
: other without speaking-aud the JurymeI
mulely exchanged glances, as The appropriate
quotation carried its moral 10 their hearts :
Then followed an address whose inluenc
> was like magic, We saw The guilty accuse
leave the room in fear OF personal violence
| The prisoner looked hopeGul-he mothe
' smiled again-and, before its conclusion
, there was not an eye in the Court that wa
no. moist. The speech, affecting TO that de
5 gree which caused tears, held lis heareT
spell-bonnd.
The little lime that was necessary I
: tran.pire before The verdict Of the July coul
OO iNo'HNhi "NS PS''NN VI S'N~'
and suspense But when The whispering
consultation ceased, and those happy word
oNot guilty." came from the Foreman The
passed like thrill of electricity from lip I
lip.
q The young lawyers FIST plea was sue
) cessful one. He was soon fayorite, an
b now represents his district in the councils {
e the Commonwealth. The lad has neve
e ceased his grateful emembrances-and W,
BY the efIectng scene herein attempted |
be described, have often been led 10 thin
how manifold greater ia the crime Of In
) tempter than ofithe tempted. Es
Il .di nj hs!syff.g Ia sns .gos5 bgR \
1.-THE above incident, narrated by eorrei
!. ponden of Arlhuf's Home Gazette, occurre
in the Cour at Harrisburg The ayouihfI
attorney" alluded 10, who made such bri
liant debft, was JoHs C. KuNKEL, now one ,
IS the abiest and most successful lawyers in IN;
n judicial district, For several years he rel
A resented Daupiin county in The populs
:" branch Of The Legislature, and subsequent
" elected 10 the Safe Senate Of which dislil
guished body he is now the Speaker.