Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1858-02-05
TRUTH.

,ther's house. 4
Now, Emily" said the counsel Cor the {
upon her being offered as a Wit 5
Tess, Il desire to know if you understand |
he nature of an oath ?
Il don't know what you mean" was the
imple answer.
There, your Honor" said the coun-
iel, addressing the Court, "is anything
urther necessary to demonstrate the va
idity Of my objection: : This witness
should be rejected. She does not con-
prehend the nature of an oath"
"Lot US see" said the Judge. ~Come
here my daughter"
Assured by the kind tone and manner
of the Judge, the child stepped toward
him, and looked confdingly up in his
aoe, with a calm, clear eye, and in man
ner SO artless and frank, that went straight
to-the heart.
did you ever take an oath ?" inquired
the Judge. The little girl stepped back
with a look of horror, and the red blood
mantled in a blush all over her face and
neck as she answered:
mo, sir"
She thought he intended TO inquire if
she had ever blasphemed.
Il do not mean that" said the Judge,
who saw her mistake; 81 mean were you
ever witness before?"
"No, sir; never was in court before, .
was the answer.
He handed her the Bible open.
do you know that book, my daush'
ter ?"
She looked at it and answered. "Yes,
sir it is the Bible.
"Do you ever read it 7" he asked.
"Yes, sir, every evening"
"Can you tell me what the bible is ?
inquired the Judge.
1T Is tbs word Of the great God" chs
answered.
"Well, place your hand upon this Bi
BILE, and listen 10 what say Z" and he re
peated slowly and solemnly the oath usu
ally administered TO witnesses.
"Now," said the Judge, "you hav
sworn as a witness, will you tell me wha
will befaIl you if you do cot tell me tn
; tru,h?"
a shall be shut up in the State Pris
on" answered the child.
' Anything else ?" asked the Judge.
: 81 shall never 90 to Heaven" she re
e Piled.
: "IIow do you kaow this?" asked th
f Judge again.
e The child took the Bible, and iurnin
It rapidly to the chapter containing the con
l. man lmentS, pointing TO TIE injurctiO
E. Thou shalt not bear false witness again
Is thy neighbor." 81 learned that before
n could read"
Of Has any one talked with you abo
al your being a witness in court here again
De this man 7" inquired tie Judge.
f. "Yes, sir" she replied. my moth
Of heard they wanted me to be witne
n and last night she called me to her roC
and asked me to tell her the Ten Co
d maudmcnts, and then we kneeled dov
h together and she prayed that / might {
lis derstand how wicked it was TO bear ia
IL witness against my neighbor, and q
IN God would help me, little child, to
er, the truth as il was before him. a
.en when | came up here with father,
IN kissed me and told me 10 remember
ted Ninth Commandment, aud that {
On would hear every word that said"
i'm. @Do you believe this r asked
tn Judge, while tear glistened ia his &
ar, and his lip quivered with emotion.
es- ayes, sir," said the child, With a "
rds and manner that showed her conyie.
TT Of its truth was perfect.
ned "God bless you, my child" faid
nd, Judge, "you have a good mother.
me- witness is competent" be continued
lis aWere | on trial for my life, and inno
pro- Of the charge against me, ! would {
ted God for such witnesses as this. Let
, Of be examined"
all She told her story with she simPl
Gil Of child, A. she was, bat there was
uHl. rectness about il which carried eouvi'
% 10 Of is truth to every heart. She waa
r 81 idly cfoss-examined. The counsel
won her With infinite and ingenious qaes
good ing. but she varied from her hrsi :
nily menl 10 nothing. The truth as ~.
lied By that llule child wss sublime. i
.rms hood and perjury bad preceded her
cess mouy, The prisoner bal intrenelisd
Nor self n les, tili be deemed himssh inl