American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-06-25
a 31AUvIFUr STORY,

VI ouI IiSneT courts, DcautlIul llluSi
tration of the simplicity and power of
truth A little girl nine years of age
was offered as witness against the
prisoner who was on charge for fel.
ony committed in her fathers house.
Now Emily, said the counsel for
the prisoner, upon her being offered as
la witness, i desire to understand
ii you know the nature of an oath.
4 don't know what you mean, was
the simple answer.
'There your Honor, said the coun
sci addressing the court, is there any
thing further necessaryto demonstrate
the validity of my objections 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 tone and manner of
the Judge the chill stepped towards
him and looked confidently up in his
face with a calm, clear eye, and in
manner so artless and frank that it
went straight to every heart.
Did you ever take an oath 2 inqur
cd the Judge.
The little girl stepped back with
look Of horror and the red blood man
tied in blush all over her neck and face
as she answered, mo sir. She thought
he had intended to inquire if she had
ever blasphcmcd.
Il DO not mean that, said the Judge
who saw her mistake. 4 mean we're
yon ever witness.
NO sir. | never was in court be-
fore lie handed her the bible open.
30 you know that book my daugh-
teri! asked the Judge.
She looked at it and answeredi
Yes sir, it is the Bible
do you ever read it?'
Yes sir; every evening.
Can you tell nee what the bible is?'
he inquired.
1T is the word of the great God she
answered.
'WelI, place your hand upon this BIZ
bic and listen to what | say;' and he
repeated slowly and solemnly the oath
usually administered to witnesses.
Now, said the Judge you have been
sworn as a witness will you tell me
what will befall you if do not tell the
truth?
q shall be shut Hp in The State pris-
on, she answered.
Anything else?' asked the Judge.
| 4 shall never so to Heaven, an
swercd the child
How doyou know asked the Judge
again.
The child took the Bible and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the
commandments, and pointing to the in
junction, Thou shall not bear false
witness against thy neighbor.' Il
learned that said the child before
could read
"lIas any one talked with you about
your being a witness in Court against
this man?
Yes sir, she replied. My mother
heard they wanted me to be witness,
and she called me to her room and ask
cd me to tell her the ten command.
ments, and then we kneelcd down to-
gcther and she prayed that / might
understand how wicked it vas to bear
false witness against my ncighbor and
that God would help 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 romcm.
Der the ninth commandment and that
God would hear every word | said
DO you believe this p asked the
Judge, while Il tear glistened in his eye
and his lips quivercd with emotion.
Yes sir, said the child in voice
and manner that showed that her con-
victlon in the truth was perfect.
| God bless you, my child said the
Judge, you have a good mother. This
witness is competent he continued
'Were | on trial for my life and inno-
cent Of the charge against me, would
pray God for such a witness as this. -.
Let her be examined.
'She told her story with the simplic-
iity of q child as she was, but there was
u certain directness about it which car
riod conviction to every heart. She
was rigidly cross-o2amincd. The coun.
sci piled her with infinite and ingeni.
GUS questioning, but she varied from
her first statement in nothing. The
truth as spoken by that child was sub.
lime. Falsehood and perjury had pre-
ccded her testimony. The prisoner
had cntrcnchcd himself in lies till he
doomed himself impregnable. Witncs.