Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1858-05-20
A Beautiful Narrative.

W
! more simple, touching and beautifi
: narrative. showing forth the powe
! OF truth, than this which follows.
is from the pen of s. III. Hammond
the author of "Country Margins,
a most pleasant and genial writer
| witnessed a short time ago i
one of our higher courts a beautifu
illustration of the simplicity and pow
er of the truth. A little girl min,
years of age was offered as wit
ness against prisoner who was OIL
trial for felony committed at hel
/ fathers house.
Now, Emily" said the counsel
for the prisoner, upon her being offer.
ed as a witness, 81 desire to know
if you understand the nature of an
oath?"
81 don't know what you mean, -
was the simple answer.
"Thcre, your honor" said the
counsel, addressing the Court, sis
anything further necessary to DEM
onstrate the validity of my objection?
This witness should be rejected. She
does not comprehend the nature of
an OATH
"Let us see," said the Judge.
"Come here, my daughter" Assur-
ed by the kind tone and manner Of
Judge, the child stepped toward him,
and looked confidently in his face,
with a calm, clear eye. and in man.
ner so artless and frank that it went
straight to the heart. add you ev-
er take an oath?" inquired the Judge.
The little girl stepped back with a look
of horror, and the rich blood man
tied in blush all over her face and
neck as she answered,
"No, sir.n She thought he meant to
inquire if she had ever blasphemed.
Il do not mean that" said the
Judge, who saw her mistake, 81 mean
were you ever a witness before!"
mo, sir, / never was in court be-
rore," was the answer.
He handed her the Bible open.
''Do you know that book, my daugh-
terri"
She looked at it and answered,
YES, sir, it is the Bible"
"Do you ever :ead it?'' he ask
ed.
"Yes, sir, every evening"
"Can you tell me what the Bible
50" inquired the Judge.
at is the word Of the Great God,
she answered.
"Well, place your hand upon this
Bible, and listen to owhat l say" and
he repeated slowly aud solemnly, the
oath usually administered to witness
es. "Now,' said the Judge, "you
have sworn as a witness, will you tell
me what will befall you if you do not
tell tue truth2"
II shall be shut up in a State
Prison." answered he child.
anything else2" asked the
Judge.
Il shall not go to heaven" she re-
Piled.
"How Go you know thia2" asked
the Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and
turning rapidly to the chapter con-
tanning the commandments, pointed
to The injunction, "Thou shalt not
bear false witness against thy neigh
bor." 81 learned that, she said, "be-
fore I could read"
"Has any one talked to you about
being witness in court here against
this MANI" inquired the Judge.
"Yes, sir" she replied. "My
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 commandments, and
then we kneeled down together, and
she prayed that ! might understand
low wicked it was to bear false WI
ness against my neighbor, and that
God would help me a child, to tel
the truth as it was before him. And
when / came up here with father, she
kissed me, and told me to remember
the ninth commandment, and that
God would hear every word SAID. /
"Do you believe this?' asked the
Judge, while a tear glistened in his
eye and his lips quivered with emo
tion.
ayes, SIR" said the child, with a