The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1858-03-18
TRUTH.

from the pen of s. II. Hammond, former
ly editor Of the Albany State Register.-
He was an eye-wiInes Of the scene in one
of the higher courts
| A little girl nine years Of age, was Of
fered asa witness against prisoner who
was on trial for felony committed in her
fathers house.
"Now Emily" said the counsel for
the prisoner, upon being offered as wit
ness, I" l desire to know the nature of an
oath" ....-...
H don't know what you mean," was
the simple answer.
"There, your Honor" said the counsel
addressing the Court, sis anything fur
ther necessary to demonstrate the validi-
ty ofmy 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 looking conidingly up in his
face, with calm, clear eye, and in a
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 rcd 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 blasphemcd.
81 do not mean that" sal the Judge,
who saw her mistake, II mean, were you
ever witness before?"
"No sir, | was never in court before
was tie answer.
He handed her the Bible open.
"Do you know that book, my daugh-
ter?"
She looked at it and answered. eyes
sir, it is the Bible.
"Do you ever read it?" he asked.
eyes sir, every evening.
"Can you tell me what the Bible is?"
inquired the Judge.
at is the word of the great God," she
answered.
"Well," said the Judge, "place youl
hand upon this Bible, and listen to what |
say" and he repeated slowly and SOL
emnly the oath usually administered to
Witnesses.
"Now" you havs sworn as a witness,
will you tell me what will become Of you
if you do not tell the TRUTH"
III shall be shutin State Prison." an
swered the child.
"Anything else?" asked the Judge.
81 shall never go to Heaven"
GLOW do you know this?" asked the
Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the com
mandments. pointed TO the injunction,
"Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbour" Il learned that before
could read.
"Has any one talked with you about
your being awitness in court here against
this MANI" inquired the Judge.
"Yes 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 then we kneeled down
together and she prayed that 1 might un-
derstand how wicked it was to bear false
witness against my neighbor, and that
God would help me, little child, to tell
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, aud that God
would hear every word that I said"
"Do you believe this?" asked the
Judge, while tear glistened in his eye,
and his lip quivered with emotion.
Eyes SIR" said the child, with voice
and manner that showed her conviction
ofits truth was perfect.
"God bless you, my child" said the
Judge, "you have good mother. This
witness is competent" he continued
were on trial for my life, and innocent of
the charge, 1 would pray God for such
witnesses as this. Let her be examined" >"
She told her story with the simplicity of
a child, as she was, but there was a
directness about it which carried convic-
ton Of its truth to every heart. She
was rigidly examined. The coun-
sci piled her with infinite and ingenious
questioning. but she varied from her first
statement in nothing. The truth, as
spoken by that child was sublime. And
falsehood and perjury had preceded her