True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1855-02-22
agJistellapgg,
LsaduS not into Temptation.
AN AFFECTING COURT SCENE.

verse to the designs of its Legislators; and
in its application, frequently defeats the
object which it was intend to sustain.
We have, however, numerous instances
wherein honest juries have given their YER
diets confOrmably to the promptings Of
justice; and, happily, when such decisions
have not been too widely different from
the 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 hearts leap with joy at its happy
termination.
In the spring Of 1S4-we Glanced to be
spending few days in beautiful inland
country town, in Pennsylvania. 1t was
court week, and to relieve us somewhat
from the monotonous incidents of village
life, we stepped into the room where the
court had convened.
Among the prisoners in the box, we saw
q lad but ten years Of age, whose sad and
pensivo coUntenance, his young and inno-
cent appearance, caused him to look sad
ly out oft the place among the hardened
criminals by whom he was surrounded.
Close by the box, and manifesting the
greatest interest in the proceedings, 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 enquire Of
the officer 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 pitied him! The bright smile
had vanished from his face, and now it
more expressed the cares of the aged. His
young sister-a bright-eyed girl-had gain
ed admission to his side, and cheered him
with whisperings ofhope. 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
the circumstances of the loss, the extent Of
which was dime-no more!
The lads employer, wealthy, miserly
aad unprincipled manufacturer, had made
use oft, for purpose Of what he called
Testing the boys honesty 1t 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 and chagrin 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 remain.
This continued temptation was too much
for him to resist. The dime was taken.
A simple present for that little sister was
purchased with it. But while returning
home to gladden. her heart his own was
made heavy by being arrested for theft
crime the nature of which he little knew
These circumstances were sustained by sew.
eral Of his employers workmen, who were
also parties to the plot. An attorney ur.
ged up the jury the necessity of making
the little rogue an example to others, by
his 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 faithful sis
ter. But their eyes were all dry now, and
none looked as if they cared for or expected
aught else but conviction. The accusel
sat in conspicuous place, smiling as if
fend-like exultation over the misery hi
had brought upon that poor but once happy
trio.
We felt that there was but little hope foi
the boy, and the youthful appearance of tht
attorney who had volunteered his defenc,
gave no encouragement, as we learned tina
it was the young mans maiden plea-hi
first address. He appeared greatly confus
ed, and reached to desk before him, from
which he took the Bible that had been usec
to solemnize the testimony. This move
ment was received with general laughte
and taunting remarks-among which w
heard harsh fellow close by us cry out:
"He forgets where he is. Thinking t
take hold of some ponderous law book
he has made mistake and got the Bi
ble."
The remark made the young attorne
flush with anger, and turning his fashin
eye upon the audience, he convinced ther
that it was no mistake, saying:
"Justice wants no other book"
His confusion was gone, and Instant
he was as calm as the sober judge on tn
bench.