Grass Valley telegraph., 1854-05-11
From Arthur's 5 Home Gazette.

ssLead us not into Temptation
Law-though framed for the protection of
society, for the indiydual benefit of its mem
bers-often admits of a construction adverse
to the designs of its legislators and its ap-
plication, frequently defeats the object that
it was intended to sustain. We have, howev-
er, numerous instances, wherein honest ju-
ries have given their verdict, conformably to
the promptings of justice; and, happily,
when such decisions have not been too wide
ly different from. expressed rule, they have
escaped from the appeal.
We take pleasure in relating an incident,
which greatly enlisted our sympathies, held
US spell bound by its interest. and finally
made our heart leap with joy, at its happy
termination. 3sA' s1
In the spring of 184-, we CHANGED to be
spending a few days in beautiful inland
country town [Harrsburg] in Pennsylvania.
1t was court week, and to relieve us from the
somewhat monotonous incident of village life,
we stepped into the room where the court had
convened.
Among the prisoners in the box, we saw
lad about ten years of age, whose sad and
pensive countenance, his young and innocent
appearance, caused him to look sadly out of
place among the hardened criminals by whom
he was surrounded, Close by the box, and
manifesting the greatest interest in the pro-
ceedings, sat a fearful woman, whose anxious
glance from the Judge to the boy. left US no
room to doubt that it was his mother.-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 that large crowd, we
found that our heart was not the only one in
which sympathy for the lad existed. How
we pjtied him! The bright star Of youth had
vanished from his face, and now it more ex-
pressed the cares Of the aged. His young sis
ter-a bright eyed girl-had gained admis-
sion to his side, and cheered him with the
whisperngs Of hope. But that sweet voice,
which before had 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 but a dime-no more
The lads employer. a wealthy. miserly and
unprincipled manufacturer, had made use of
it. for the purpose of what he called ''testing
the boys honesty" It was placed where
from its very position 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, determined
that the boy should take it, and SO let it re-
main.
This continued temptation was too much
for the lads resistance. The dime was taken
A single present for that little sister was pur-
chased by it. But while returning home to
gladden. her heart, his own was made heavy
by being arrested for theft the nature of
which he little knew These circumstances
were substantiated by several of his employ
Ct WofKmen, who Were!alsO parties TO the
plot An attorney urged upon the jury the
necessity of making this 'lttle rogue" an
example to others, by punishment His ad-
dress had great effect upon all that heard it.
Before could see many tears Of sympathy
| tor 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 convictions as "alz -a
The accuser sat in conspicuous place,
smiling, as in fend-iiked exultation, over the
misery he had brought upon that poor. but
once happy trio. aoeego 3ea
Wefelt that there was but little hope for
the boy; and the youthful appearance of the
attorney, who had volunteered his defence.
gave no encourage mcnt- we learned that