The Yazoo Democrat., 1854-04-05
9 Lead us not into Temptation

ing few days IN beautiful inland country
town in Pennsylvania. 1t was Court week
and to relieve US from the somewhat monoto-
nous incidents of village life, we stepped into
the room where the court had convened.
Among the prisoners in the box. we saw a
lad OF but tender years, whose sad and pensive
countenance, 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 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
af the offence of the prisoner and learned he
was accused of stealing money.
The case was soon on1menced, 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
pitied him The bright smile had vanished
from his face, and now it more expressed the
cares of theaged. His young sister-a bright
eyed girl-had gained admission to his side,
and cheered him with the whisferings of hope
But that sweet voice which before 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 buaa dime-no more The lads
employer, wealthy, miserly and unprincipled
manufacturer, had made use of it for the pur-
pose of what he called " testing the boys hon.
esty." 1t was placed where, from its very po-
IL 1
least suspect the trap. A day passed, and the
master. TO his modification, moi pleasure, found
the coin untouched. Another day passed, and
yet his object not gained. A simple pre-
sent for that little sister was purchased with it.
These circumstances was sustained by several
of his employers workmen who were also
parties to the plot. An attorney upon the Ju-
ry the necessity of making Z" the little rogue
an example to others by punishment" His
address had great effect upon all who heard it,
Before, | could 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
ought else but . conviction:sL The accuser sat
in conspicuous place, smiling as if in fiend-
| like exultation over the misery he had brought
upon that poor bus once happy tho.
We felt that there was but little hope for the
boy; and the youthful appearance of the at
torney who had volunteered his defence, gave
no encouragement-as 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 solemnze the testimony
| This movement was received with genera
laughter and taunting remarks-among which
we heard fellow close by us say: ''He for
gets where is. Thinking to take hold fsome
| ponderous law-book, he has made a mistake
aud gothic Bible"
The remark made the young attorney flush
with anger, and turning his flashing eye upon
the audience, he convinced them it was no mis-
take, saying, " Justice wants no 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 was
upon him. as he quietly and leisurely turned
over the leaves Amidst breathless silence,
he read to the jury this sentence:
/ isL6ad US into Temptation"
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 quota
ton carried its moral to their hearts. Then
followed an address whose influence was like
magic We saw the guilty accusef leave the
room in lear of personal violence-the mother
smiled again-and before its conclusion there
was not an eye in the Court that was not moist.
The speech, affecting to that degree which
caused tears, held its hearers spell-bound.
The little time that was necessary to trans
pire before the verdict of the Jury could be
Learned, was period of great anxiety and sus-
pense. But when the whispering consultation
ceased, and those happy words, q Not Guilty" !"
came from the Foreman, they passed like a
thrill of electricity from lip tolip.
The young lawyers first plea was successful
one. He was soon a fayorite, and now repre-
sents his district in the councils of the Com
monwealth. The lad has never ceased his
grateful remembrances-an we, by the affect
ling scene herein attempted to be described, have
often been led to think how manifold greater is
the crime of the tempter, than of the tempted.
Lyme IN BED WITH THE HEAD HTGH.-It is
often question amongst people who are unac-
lquainted with the anatomy and physiology o.
man, whether lying with the head exalted Of
leven with the body, was the most wholesome
Most consulting their own ease on this point
arone IN favor of that which they prefer. Now