The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-09-21

have kept silent. But now l interpose the
truth, and may II incline you to show some
consideration for the unhappiest being that
is alive to-day!'
The young man covered his face with his
hands, and sat down overpowercd by his feel,
ings. His mother who was near him, sobbed
out loud, and, bending over, laid her hands
on his head, saying
MY poor boy My poor boy'
There were few eyes in the court-room un'
dimmed. In the silence that followed, Mr..
Carman spoke out
.Is my character to be thus blasted on the
word of a criminal, your hoDorsT Is this
right? Is this Just? Is this the protection
citizen finds in the court room?'
Your solemn oath that this charge 10 un-
true said the judge, will place you all right.
1t was the unhappy boys only opportunity
and the court felt bound, in humanity to
hear what he wished to say =,
James Lewis stood up again instantly, and
turned his white face and dark piercing eyes
upon Mr.. Carman:
Let him take the oath IL he dare! he ex-
claimed.
The counsel for the prosecution now in
tcrfered, and called the proceeding an out
rage ON Justice, and unheard OF before IN
court-room. But the judge commanded or
der. and then said to Mr.. Carman:
The court offers you the only way OF re-
paration in its power. Your oath will scat
ter the allegation of criminal to the winds.
Will you swearT
Mr.. Garman turned with distressed look
towards his counsel, while James kept his
eye fixed upon him. There was u brief con.
ference, and the lawyer said:
The proceeding is irregular, and have
advised my client to make no response. AT
the same time he protests against oil this as
an oatrage upon the rights of u citizen
The judges bowed, and Mr.. Carman with
drew. After brief conference with his
associates, the presiding judge said, address
ing the criminal
In consideration Of your youth, and the
temptation to which, in tender years, you were
unhappily subjected, the court gives you its
lightest sentence, one years Imprisonment.
At the same time, in pronouncing this sem
tence, let me solemnly warn you against any
further steps in the way you have taken.
Crime can have no valid excuse. 1t is evil in
the sight of God and man, and leads only to
suffering. When you come forth again from
your brief incarceration, may it bc with
resolution to die rather than commit crinie'
And the curtain fell on the Fad scene in
the boys life. When it lifted again, and he
came forth from prisona year afterwards
his mother was dead. From the day her
pale face faded from bis vision as hc passed
from the COURTROOM, he never looked upon
her again. rN
Ten ycars afterwards man sat reading
newspaper, in far western town. lie had
n calm serious face, and looked like one who
had known suffering and trial.
Brought to justice at last" he said to
himself, as the blood came into his face
Convicted on charge of fraudulent insol-
yency, and sent to the states prison. SO
much for the man who gave me-in tender
years the first lesson in wrong doing Too
well, alas did remember his words. But,
thank God ,other words have been remcmberd:
when you come forth again, said hejudgc,
.may il be with tho resolution to die rather
than commit a crime?' and have kept this
injunction in my heart when there seemed no
way of escape except through crime; and,
God helping me, will keep it to the end y