The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-03-17
VOL, X-N0. II.


cation, not pleasure, found the coin un
touched. Another day passed, and his oh
ject was not gained. He was, however
determined that the boy should take il, an,
SO he LEI il remain.
The continued temptation was 100 mucl
for the boys resistance. The dime wa
taken. A simple present for iha, little sis
ter was purchased with it. But while re
turning home 10 gladden. her heart, his owr
was made heavy by being arrested. for {
lhef!-a crime, the nature Of which he
knew but little. These circumstances were
subsian,aled by several Of his employer.
workmen, who were also parties 10 ile plot
An attorney urged upon the necessity o
making This little rogue" an example foI
others by punishment. His address had
great effect OH all who heard il. Before,
could see many tears of sympathy for The
lad, his widowed mother and faithful sister
But their eyes were all dry now, and non,
looked as il they cared for, or expected
aughl else but conviction.
The accuser sat in conspicuous place
smiling, as if in fend.like exulla,ion, owe
that poor, but once happy Trio.
We felt that there was bu, little hope fo
him; aud the youthful appearance Of the
attorney who had volunteered in his de
ience, gave no encouragement -as We
learned II was The young mans maiden
plea his first address. He appeared srea,
y confused, and reached the desk near him
from which he took the Bible that had beer
used TO solemnize the testimony. Thi:
movement, was received with general laugh
ter, and ,aunting remarks-among which
we heard harsh fellow close by us cry
out
He fo'geis where he is; thinking tc
take hold Of some ponderous law book, he
has made a mistake and got hold OF the
Bible"
Justice wants no other book.o
His confusion was gone, and Instantly ht
was as calm as the sober Judge upon III,
bench.
The Bible was opened, and every eye wa,
upon him as he quietly and leisurel,
turned over The leaves. Amid brealhlesi
silence, he read 10 The jury this sen
tence.
Lead us not into temptation"
A minute Of unbroken silence followed
and again he read
Lead us not into temptation"
We felt our heart ibrob at the sound o
his words. The audience looked at eacl
other without speaking and the jurymer
mu,ely exchanged glances, rs tho appro
pirate question carried its moral 10 lhei
hearts. Then followed an address, which
70, its pathetic eloquence, we had neve
heard excelled. lis influence was lik,
magic. We saw The guilty accuser lcav,
the room in fear Of personal Violence
The prisoner looked hopeful, the mothe
smiled again, and before its conclusion
there was not al eye in The court that WA
not moist, The speech affecting 10 that de
gree which caused tears-il held lis hearer,
spell-bonnd.
The lille time that was necessary Il
transpire, before the verdic, of The jury
could be learned, was period of great anx
ieiy and suspense. But when their whis.
perings ceased and the happy words, Mo-
guilty." came from the foreman, they passed
like a thrill Of electricity from lip 10 lip
The aas,ere dignity of lbe court was forgot.
ten, and not voice was there, that did not
join in the accamaion lha, hailed The lads
release.
The lawyers first plea was a successful
one. He was soon a favorile, and repre-.
sen,s his district in The councils of the ma.
ton. The lad has never ceased his re.
mcmbrance, and ,re, by the affecting scene
herein attempted 10 describe, have often
been led 10 think how manifold greater is
The crime o! the temp,er than that Of The
,empled.-Iiome Ga:etie.