Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1858-04-07
A Little Girl in a Court of Justice.

VI Nilt many tACclltHl lllIllSs hIllltu ny
our excellent friend, Samuel Hammond,
(says the American Agriculturist,) former
ly in the Albany Register, and latterly in
the Albany Express, we have read but few
narratives which have touched our feel
ings more than the following, which re-
Gently appeared in the latter paper:
witnessed short time ago in one of
our higher courts, beautiful illustration
of the simplicity and power Of truth. A
little girl, nine years Old was offered as
witness against prisoner who was on tri-
al for felony committed in her fathers
house.
Now, Emily, (said the counsel for the
prisoner, upon her being offered as wit
ness | desire to know you understand
the nature of an oath ?"
Il don't know what you mean" was
the simple answer.
There, your honor, (said the counsel,
addressing the court, is any thing further
necessary to demonstrate the validity Of
an objection? The witness should be re.
jected. She does not comprehend the
nature Of an oath"
Let us see, (said the Judge.) Come
here my daughter"
Assured by the kind tone and manner
Of the Judge, the child stepped towards
him and looked conidingly up in his face
with a calm clear eye, and in manner so
artless and frank that went straight TO the
beart.
Did you ever take an oath ?" inquired
the judge.
The little girl stepped back with look
r l. l, llool 1,l -,
blush all over her face and neck, as she
answered IN ,, SIR" She doubtless thought
he intended to inquire if she ever bias
phemed.
II do not mean that (said the Judge,
who saw her mistake | mean were you
ever witness before"
mo sir, | never was in court before"
was the answer.
He handed her the open bible. DO
you know that book, my daughter?"
She looked at it and answered
"Yes, sir it is the Bible"
"Do you ever read it?" he asked.
"Yes, sir every evening"
"Can you tell me what the Bible is2" in
quired the Judge.
at is the word of the great God; :" she
replied.
well place your hand upon this Bible,
and listen to what | say, and he repeated
slowly and solemnly the oath usually ad-
ministered to witnesses. Now, (said the
Judge you have sworn as witness will
you tell me what will befall you if you do
not tell the truth?"
81 shall be put up in the State prison"
answered the child.
"Any thing else ?" asked the Judge.
81 shall never so to heaven )" she re-
piled.
"How do you know that" asked the
Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the
commandments, pointed to the injuuc-
ton: Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor. | learned that be-
fore could read"
"Elas any one talked to you about your
being a witness in court aginst this man ?"
inquired the Judge.
"Yes, sir, (she replied) NY mother
heard they wanted me to be a witness, and
last night she called me to her room and
asked me to tell her the ten command
ments, and then we kneeled down togeth-
er, and she prayed that | might under
stand how sinful twas to bear false witness
a, ainst my neghbor, and that God would
help me, little child, to tell the truth
as it was before him. And when ] came
up here witt my father, she kissed me
and told mo to rene nber the ninth COM
mandment, and that God would hear ev.
cry word said.
'Do you believe this 2" asked the Judge,
while tear glistened in his eye and his
whole frame quivered with emotion.
"Yes, sir" said the child with voice
and manner that showed her conviction
Of it's truth was perfect.
God bless you my child, said the
judge, you have n good mother. The
witness Is competent. We're on trial for
'iar itc aud nuoeen. OF the charges
nsa.n,t nae, IUoad .mly God Tor such
witnesses ~ this. Let her be aEhnued.
She told her story with the simplicity
ofa child. "a size was, hut there was a d.
rec,ness about 1t which carried conviction
of its truth to every heart. ;'he was ri
gidiy crc-s exam ned. Tie coun ei Piled
her with infinite md Ingenious question
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