The Winchester home journal. [volume] (Winchester, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-03-18
A Beautiful Narrative.

we think we have nowhere seen
more simple, touching and beautiful mar
tatiVc, showing forth the power Of truth,
than this which follows. 1t is from the
pen of S. H. Hammond, the author OF
"Country Margins" dnd most pleasant
and genial writer;
witnessed short time ago, in one Of
our higher Courts, beautiful illustration
OF the simplicity and power Of truth. A
little girl, nine years Of age, was offered
as witness against a prisoner who was
on trial for felony committed in her
fathers house, "Now, Emily" said the
counsel for the prisoner, upon her being
offered as witness, 81 desire to know il
you understand the nature Of an oath 7"
81 don't know what you mcan," was
the smp Die answer.
"rhere, your Honor" said the coun.
sci, addressing the Court, sis anything
further necessary to demonstrate the
validity Of my objection this witness
should be rel ectcd. She does not COM
prehend the nature Of an oath"
"Let US see," said the Judge. "Comc
here, my daug ~ Assured by the
kind tone and manner OF the Judge, the
child stepped toward him, and looked
conGdngly up in his face, with calm,
clear eye, and in manner so artless and
frank that it went straight to the heart.
"Did you ever take an oath % inquired
the Judge. The little girl stepped back
with look Of horror, and the red blood
mantled in a blush all over her face and
neck, as she answered,
"No, sir" She thought he intended
to inquire if she had ever blasphemed.
81 do not mean that" said the Judge,
who saw her mistake, 81 mean were you
ever witness be(orc?'
"No, sir, ! never was in court BEFORE"
was the answer.
He handed her the Bible, open. "Do
you know that book, my daushtcr?"
She looked at it, and answered, eyes,
sir it is the Bible"
"Do you ever road it ?" he asked.
eyes, sir, every evening"
"Can you tel what the Bible is in.
guired the Judge.
at is the word of the great God" she
answered.
"Well, place your hand upon this
Bible, and listen TO what say;" and he
repeated slowly and so emily the oath
usually administered to Witnesses
Nov, )" said the Judge, "you have been
sworn as a witness, will you tell me
what will beIall you if you do not tell
the truth J"
81 shall be shut up in the State Prison, "
answered. the child.
"Anything else ?" asked the Judge.
81 shall not 60 to Heaven she re
pIieI.
GLOW do you know lhis?" asked the
Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the
Commandments, pointed to the nJunc
ton, Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbour 81 learned that,
she said, "before could read
elias any one talked TO you about
being a witness in court here against thi:
man ?" inquired the Judge.
Eyes, sir" she replied. "My mother
heard they wanted me to be witness
and last night she called me to her room
and asked me to tell her the Ten Com
mandments, and We knceled down TO
gether, and she prayed that | might un
derstand how wicked it was to bear falls
witness against my neighbor, and tina
God would help me, little child, to tel
the truth as it was before him. And whe1
| came up here with father, she klsse
me, and told me to remember the mint
Commandment, and that God would hea
every word that | said"
"Do you believe this?" asked tn
Judge, while tear glistened in his eye
and his lips quivered with emotion.
) eyes, SIR" said the child, with a voic
and manner that showed her conviction
, OF the truth was perfect.
, "God bless you, my child" said tn
Judge, "you have good mother. Ihl
witness is competent" he continued
"We,e on trial for my life, and limo
cent of the charge against me, wonl
pray God for such witnesses as this. LIE
her be examined"
She told her story with the simpicit.
OF child, as she was, but there wa
drectness about it which carried convic
ton of its truth to every heart. She wa
rigidly cross.examined. The counse
piled her with infinite and mgeniou
questionings, but she varied from her fir
statement in nothing. The truth a
spoken by that little child was sublime
Falsehood and perjury had preceded hi
testimony. The prisoner had entrenche
himself in lies, until he deemed himse
impregnable. Witnesses had falsifie
facts in his favor, and vllainy had man
ufactured for him sham defence. Br
before her testimony falsehood was seal
tered like chat. The little child, 70
| -Lo,. ~ ,s,o,ho. b,I provaI fnr cfrnn OF