Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-06-29
n(i5rfllorlcouLs.
nLead us not into Temptation"

We take pleasure in relating IN incident which
rsy ss!S% Ges ha our
leap with joy al It's happy termination.
In the spring Of 1888 We Glanced to be spend
inr few days in beautiful inland country
town in PENNSYLVANIA. 1t was court week, and
10 relieve us from The somewhat monotonous in-
cidcniS of village iifc we stepped into the room
where the court had convened.
Among the prisoners in the box we saw lad
but ten wears of age, whose sid, pcnsire coun,c-
nance his Young and innocent appearance, caus-
ed him 10 look sadly out of place among the
hardened criminals by WHOM he was surrounded
Close bv the box. and manilesting the greatest
incrcS, in the proceedings. sat fearful woman
whose anSinuS glance from The Judge to the boy
.il Us no room 10 dnub, that it was his mother.
We iurucd with sadness from the scene 10 III
qurc Of The offence of the prisoner, and learned
ne WAS accused of stealing money.
The case was soon commenced, and, by the
interest manifested by that largc crowd, we
fuund that our heart was not the only one III
which sympathy for the lad existed How We
p led him! The bright smile had vanished from
his face, and now il expressed the cares of the
aged His young sister, 4 brighi-cycd girl had
r:ued admission to his side. and clecred hin
with the whispering of hope.
But that sweet voice, which before caused his
heart to bound with happiness, added only TO the
gricf his shame had brought upon him.
The progress Of the case acquainted us with
the circumstances of the loss-the extent o!
which was bnt dime, no more
The lads employer, wealthy, misery, and
unprncipied manufacturer, had made use of il
Ill loI tI,f
BOYS honesty" 1t was placed where, from it.
very position. the lad would oilenc>t sec it, and
least suspect the trap The day passed. and tho
master. to his modification, not pleasure, fuunt
the coin untouched Another day passed. anC
We, his object was not gained. lie, however
determined that the boy should take it, aud st
ie let it remain.
This continued temptation was TOO much foI
the boys resistance. The dime was taken. A
simple present fer that sister Was purchased will
it. But willie reluruin. home to GLADDEN. he
heart, his own WAS made heavy by being arrest
ed for ,hrlt Il crime the nature of which III
| little knew These circumstances were sustain
ed by several Of his employers woriinrn, wh'
were also parties to the plot. An attorney urgct
upon ;he jury the necessity OF making The g lii
lie rogue" an example TO others 10y punishment
| Before, could see many tears of sympathy 10
the lad. his widowed mother, and faithful sister
But their eyes We're all dry now. and none look
cd is if they cared for aught else but conviction
Tie accuscr sat in u conspicuous place. slnll
ag as if in iend-Ike exultation over the misery
! he had brought upon that poor but ONCE Iapp.
! trio.
We felt that there was but little hope for th
/ boy, and the youthful appearance of The aitor
ncv vino had volunteered in his defence gave M
encouragement, us we learned that it was th
young mans maiden plca-his first address. II
appeared greatly confused, and reached 10 des
near him, from Which he took the Bible that hat
! been used to soIemnize the testimony. Til
movement was received with general laugltc
aud tanning remarks, among Which we heard
Ear>I fellow, close TO us, cry out:
.IIe fnrgcts what it is. Thinking to get hol
of some pondcrous law book, he has made
mistake and got the Bible"
The remark made the young attorney blus
with anger, and turning his flashing eyes upo
the audience, he convinced them that there wa
no mistake, saying, Justice wants no belle
; book" His confusion WAS gone, and Instant
he was as calm rs the sober Judge on the bench
| The Bible was opened and every eye WAS upo
him, as lie quietly and lcisureIy turned over I'll
! leaves. Amidst breahlcSs silence he read til
jury this sentence: Lead US not into tcmpta
! ton"
We felt our heart throb at the sound of thes
words The audience looked at each other with
out speaking land the jurymen exchanged glance
as the appropriate quotation carried It's moral t
their hearts. Then followed an address, whic
for pathetic cloquencc we have never heard cA
ccled. It's influence was like magic W. s3,
the guilty accuser leave the room in fear {
! persona! violence. The prisoner looked hope