The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-08-26

infinitely less poison than others. You
are saved many debt, many deception,
many headache. And, lastly, ii you
have true friend in the world, you are
sure, in very short space Of time, to
learn it. #e -
SUBLIME AND BEAUTIFUL NARRATIVE.
We ask our readers, and especially
youths to read the following sublime mar
rative, which We copy from an exchange.
l shows that the heroine possessed a prin-
ciple. actuated by love of duty and
truth and fully demonstrates, in its true
light, the influence exercised over child
by the mother:
Witnessed short time ago in one Of
our higher courts, a beautiful illustration
of the simplicity and power of truth. A
little girl nine years of age was offered
as a witness against a prisoner who was
on trial for felony committed at her faith
er's house. e 1
"Now, Emily" said the counsel for
the prisoner, upon being offered as wit
ness, II desire to know if you under
stand the nature of an oath ?"
Il do not know what you mean," was
the simple answer.
"There, your honor" said the counsel,
addressing the court; is anything fur
ther necessary to demonstrate the valid
ity 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
Assured by the kind tone and manner
of the Judge, the child stepped toward
him, and looked confidently up in his face,
with calm, clear eye, and in manner
so artless and frank that it went straight
to the heart.
Ibid you ever take an oath Z" inquir-
ep 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 I"
She thought he intended to inquire if
she had ever blasphemed.
II do not mean that" said the judge,
who saw her mistake; II mean were you
ever witness before e.
"No, sir. / never was in court be-
FORE" was her answer,
He handed her the Bible open.
"Do you know that book, my daugh-
ter :"
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 is r.
inquired the judge.
alt is the word of the great God
she answered.
"Well, place your hand upon this Bi
BILE, and listen to what | say and he
repeated slowly and solemnly, the oath
usually administered to witnesses.
Now said the judge, "you have
sworn as a witness; will you inform me
what will become Of you If you do moi
tell the truth Z"
II shall he shut up in the State pris
on answered the child.
"Anything else e. asked the judge.
81 shall not go to heaven she re-
piled.
"How do you know this y asked The
Judge again.
Il The child took the Bible, and, turning
rapidly to the chapter containing tht
Commandments, pointed to the injunc
ton,
Thou shalt not bear false soitnes'
against Thy neighbor."
Il learned that" said she, before
could read.'
HAS any one talked to you about be
ing witness in court against this mana
inquired the judge.
"Yes, sir,n she replied. My mothel
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 com
mandments and then we kneeled dow
together, and she prayed that I nigh
understand how wicked it was to bea
false witness against my neighbor. AM
that God would help me, little child. t.
4 tell the truth as it was in Him. An,
when / came up here with father, sh
kissed me, and told me to remember th
ninth commandment, and that God woul
hear every word that | said"
"Do YOU believe this Z" asked tn
Judge, while a tear glistened in his ey
and his lips quivered with emotion.
4 . Yes. sir" said the child, with voic
and manner that showed her convictio
, that the truth was perfect. ="
;. "a" God bless You, my CHI tn
{ Judge. "you have a good m Srb
f witness is competent" he "a d.
sleWere on trialfor my lif 7