Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-07-06


We take pleasure in relating an incident
which greatly enlisted our sympatbies, held
US spell bound by its interest, and finally
mndc our hearts leap with JOY at its happy
termination,
In the spring of 1888 We CHANGED 10 be
spepding,a few days in beautiful inland
country town in Pennsylvania 1t was
court week. aud to relieve US from the
somewhat monotonous incidents Of village
life we stepped intothe room where the court
had convened.
Among the prisoners in the box we saw
q lad but ten years Of age, whose sad, PEN
sTvs countenanee, his young and innocent
appearance, caused him to look sadly ont
Of place among the hardened criminals by
whom be was surrounded Close by the
box, and manifesting the greatest interest
10 the proceedings, sat fearful woman,
whose anxious glance from the Judge to tae
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, aud 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 ptied him The bright smile had
vanished from his face, and now itexpressed
the cares Of the aged His young sister, .
lfbright.eyed girl. had gained admission to
bis side, and cheered him with the whisper
ling of hope
/ but that sweet voice, which before caused
! bis heart to bound with happiness, added
only TO the grief his shame had brought up
! Oh him.
III The progress Of the case acquainted Us
| with the circumstances of the loss-the
extent o: which was but dime, no more
I The lads employer, wealthy, misery,
and unprincipled manufacturer. had made
use Of il 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
| The day passed, and the master, to his NOR.
kitiEcation, not pleasure, found the coin IN
touched. Another day passed, and yet his
object was not gained. He, however, de
| aerminsd that the boy should take it, and 81
1 hei let il remain
H This continued temptation was too much
fcf the boy resistance The dime was -
ken A simple present for the little sis
tSr was purchased With IT, But while re.
turniBg home 70 gladden. her heart, his own
MS made heavy BY bling arrested for theft
h5erimo she nature Of which be little knew
These circumstances we're sustained by sew.
i s}al Of bis employers workmen. who were
| hiso parties 70 ibs plot An attorney urged
apoB the jssy The necessity Of making the
/ ssiiitls rogue an ssamplo 70 others by pun
sJhmeit l5sf0fs, ! could see many tears o.
1 StmDsihy fyf Tie W from bis widowed moth
| a aud fsitLfal sistaf But their eyes we're
ill dry nov, sed pene looked as il theJ
istkred fof sBght elAs but conviction.
I ( Tie socsssf ~ IN conspicuous place
Smiling - " u asnd Ike emulation ovel
Eiissry be bad bfeazh. upon that poor bu
s4nce happy trio
1 / We fslt that there vas but little hope fol
the boy, and ihs youihfal appearance Of th,
attorney who had volunteered in bis defenc,
gave no encouragement. - uo learned tha
4 was the young mans maiden plea-hi
krst address He pppeafed greatly eoafus
I'd and rescued 10 desk near him. frou
uhieh he took the Bible that had been uss,
3 solemnisl the testimony This move
thent vas ro.eiyea with general laughte
snl taLntIi remarks; among which Vi
heard harsh felloR. close 10 rs. erv ont:
i. He forgot What il L. Thinking TO ee
bold Of some pondsrous law-book. lie IA
made mistake and got the Bible,
The remark made the young sttor-e-
blush With anger. and turning bis asshinl
I eyes upon the audience, be convinced thcr
that fhara wan M rnfsfaka ~.-e-- -.