Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-06-17
AN AFFECTING COURT INCIDENT.
From Correspondent Of Arthur's Home Gazette
aLEAp US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

"LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION"
We take pleasure in relating incident which greatly
enlisted sympahies, held spel-bound by its nte
rest and finally made hearts leap with joy at its hap
py termination.
In the spring of 1888 CHANGED to be spending few
days in beautiful inland country town in Pennsylvania
1t week, aud relieve from the somewhat
monotonous incidents of village life stepped into the
room where the court had convened
Among the prisoners in the box we saw lad but ten
years of age whose sad pensve his young
and appearance caused him look sadly out Of
place among hardened criminals by whom he was
rounded Close by the box and manfestng the greatest
interest in the proceedings sat fearful woman, whose
anxious glance from the Judge to the boy left US no room
doubt that his mother. We turned with sadness
the quire Of the offence of the prisoner and
learned he accused Of stealing money.
The commenced and by the interest mani
tested by that crowd found that heart not
the only in which sympathy for the lad existed How
pitied him The bright smile had vanished from his face
brgheyed girl had gained admission to his side, and
cheered him with the whispering Of hope
But that voice. which before caused his heart to
bound with happiness added only the grief his shame had
brought upon him.
The Of the case acquainted us with the
of the oss-he extent Of which but dime,
more!
The lads employer wealthy misery, and unprinciped
manufacturer had made for the purpose Of what he
called "tesng the boys honesty" placed where
from its very position the lad would oenest and least
seann not pleasure fonna The coin nntonched Another
day passed. and yet his object gained He how
that the boy should take it. aud SO he let
remain.
This continued temptation much for TIE boys
sistance The dime taken. simple present for that
little sister purchased with it. But while returning home
to gladden. her heart his made heavy by being
rested for theft crime the nature Of which he tto knew
These circumstances sustained by several his employ
er workmen who also parties to the plot An attorney
urged upon the jury the necessity of making the little
rogue example others by punishment Before Icould
any sympathy for the lad, his widowed mother
and faithful sister. But their all dry and
looked if they cared for aught else but conviction
in min mtlinOn
like EMULATION misery he had brought upon that
but once happy trio.
We felt that little hope the boy and the
youthful appearance of the attorney who had volunteered in
his defence gave encouragement learned that
the young mans maiden plea FIRST address He appeared
greatly confused and reached desk him. from which
he took the Bible that had been used to the es
mony This movement was received with general laughter
and haunting remarks among which heard harsh fellow,
He forgets what is Thinking to get hold of some
ponderous lawbook, he has made mistake and got the
Bible.n
The remark made the young attorney blush with anger,
and turning his flashing the audience he convinced
them that there mistake saying, "Juscc wants
better book His confusion gone and instantly he
calm the sober Judge on the bench The Bible
opened and him. he quietly and leisure
~ turned tho leaves Amidst breahess silence read
the jury this sentence " Lead temptation"
We felt heart throb at the sound Of these words The
audience looked each other without speaking and the
urymen exchanged gances the appropriate quotation
red its moral to their hearts Then followed address
which for pathetic eloquence have heard exceed
It's influence like magic We the guilty leave
the in fear Of violence The prisoner looked
hopeu the mother smiled again and before its conclusion
there not eye in the that moist
The speech affecting to that degree which caused tears held
its hearers spell bound
The little time that necessary to transpre before the
verdict of the jury could be learned period of great
anxiety and suspense But when their whispering consutn
ton ceased, and those happy words Net guilty. came from
the foreman they passed like thrill of electricity from lip
to lip the austere dignity the forgotten and not
voice there that join in the reclamation that
hailed the lads release. The young lawyers 6r plea
successful Hewas favorite, and represents
his district in the councils of the Commonwealth.
The lad has ceased his grateful remembrances and
we by the affecting scene herein attempted be described,
have often been led think how manifold the crime
Of the tempter than of the tempted.