Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-08-24
AN AFFECTING
AN AFFECTING--------
From correspondent Of ArtA
"Lead us NOD into Temptati,

| CoN 10 Hot AAAto
We take pleasure in relating an n,
dent which greatly enlisted our symps.
ties, held US spellbound by its interest,
and finally made our hearts leap with
joy at its happy termination.
In the spring of 1886 we chanced to
be spending few days in beautiful in
land country town in Pennsylvania. 1t
was court week, and to relieve us from
the somewhat monotonous incident of
the village, we stepped into the room
where the court had convened.
Among the prisoners in the box we
saw a lad but ten years of age, whose
sad pensive countenance, his young and
innocent appearance, caused him to look
sadly out of place among hardened
criminals by whom he was surrounded.
Close by the box, and manifesting the
greatest interest in the proceeding, sat
fearful woman, whose anxious glance
from the Judge to the boy left us no
room to doubt but that she was his mo-
ther. We turned with sadness from the
scene to inquire of the offence of the
prisoner, and learned he was accused of
stealing money.
The case was soon commenced, and
by the interest manifested by the large
crowd we found that our heart was not
the only one in which sympathy for the
lad existed. How we pitied him! The
bright smile had vanished from his face
and now it expressed the cares of the
aged. His young sister. bright-eyed
girl had gained admission to his side,
and cheered him with the whispering of
hope.
But that sweet voice, which before
caused his heart to bound with happi-
ness added only to the grief his shame
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, miser-
ly, 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. The day passed,
and the master, TO his modification, not
pleasure, found the coin untouched
Another day passed yet his object was
not gained. He, however. determined
that the boy should take it, so he let it
remain,
The continued temptation was too much
for the boys 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 be-
ing arrested for theft! crime the ma
ture of which he little knew. These
circumstances were sustained by several
of his employers workmen who were al
so parties to the plot. An attorney
urged upon the jury the necessity of
the little rogue an example to
others by punishment. Before, 1 could
see many tears of sympathy for the lad
from his widowed mother and faithful
sister. But their eyes were all dry
now, and none looked as if they cared
for aught else but conviction.
The accuser sat in a CONSPICUOUS place,
smiling as if in iendlike exultation over
the misery he had brought upon that
poor but once happy trio.
We felt that there was little hope for
the boy, and the youthful appearance
Of the attorney who had volunteered in
his defence gave no encouragement, as
we learned it was the young mans
maiden plea-his first address. He ap-
peared greatly confused, and reached to
the desk near him, from which he took
the Bible that had been used to solemn
ize the testimony. This movement was
with general laughter and
taunting remarks; among which we
heard a harsh fellow, close to US cry
out:
"He forgets what it is. Thinking to
get hold of some ponderous Law book,
be has made a mistake and got the BIZ
ble."
The remark made the young attorney
blush with anger, and turning the fash
ing eyes upon the audience he convinc-
ed them that there was no mistake, say
ing: Justice wants no better book"
His confusion was gone, and instantly
he was as calm as the sober Judge upon
the bench. The Bible was opened, and
every eye was upon him, as he quietly
and .oasurely turned the leaves. Amid
breathless silence he read the jury this
sentence: LEAD US not into feDlpta-
tion."
We felt our heart throb at the sound
Of the words. The audience looked at
each other without speaking, and the
jurymen exchanged glances as the ap-
propriate quotation carried its moral TO
their hearts. Then followed an address
which for pathetic eloquence we have
never heard excelled. Its influence
was ike magic. We saw the guilty ac-
,user leave the room in fear of person
Al violence. The prisoner looked hope
ful; the mother smiled again, and be-
iore its conclusion, there was not an
sye in the court room that was not
moist. The speech affecting to that de-
gree which causes tears, held its hearers
/,
The little time that was necessary 10
ranspire before the verdict of the jury ,
,ould be learned was q period of great
,rx;a4v aud susnanse But when their