The hydraulic press., 1860-07-28
NORTH SAN JUAN, NEVADA CO, SATURDAY, JULY 2s, L
Trrfh.

oeiico VI atcieS pelhS puoliSheu III the AL
bany Morning Express. 1t is from the pen
of 5. II. Raymond, formerly editor of the
Albany State Register:
| 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 witness
against prisoner who was on trial for a
felony committed in her fathers house.
Now, Emily" said the counsel Tor the
prisoner, upon her being offered as witness,
II desire to know if you understand the na-
ture of an oath 2"
81 do not know what you mean," was the
simple answer.
There, your Honor" said the counsel ad
dressing the court; is nything further wanted
to demonstrate the validity of my objectlonF
This witness should be rejected. She does
not comprehend the nature OF an eath.D
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 confdingly up in his face, with a
calm, clear eye, and in a manner so artless
and frank, that went straight to the heart
Did You ever take an oath? 2" inquired
the Judge.
The little girl stepped back with look Of
horror, and the red blood mantled in blush
all over her face and neck, as she answered
"No, sir"
She thought he intended to inquire if she
had ever blasplrened.
81 do not mean that" said the Judge, who
saw her mistake; | mean were you ever q
witness bef0re?'
No, sir; / never was in court before r
was the answer.
He handed her the Bible open.
"Do you know that book my daughter?"
She looked at it, and answered {. Yes, sir !;
it is the Bible"
g Do you ever read it," he asked.
I" Yes, sir; every evening"
"Can you tell me what the Bible ISL" in
quired the Judge.
1t is the word of the great God" she an
swcred.
/" Well, place your hand upon this Bible,
and listen to what say J" and he repeated
slowly and solemnly the oath usually ad-
ministered to witnesses. "Now,n said the
59&ge, you have sworn as a witness, will
you tell me what will befall you if you do
net tell the truth p
81 shall be shut up in the State prison."
answered the child.
"Anything else" asked the Judge.
81 shall never go to Heaven she replied.
How do you know this?" asked the
Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and turning rap
idly to the chapter containing the command
ments, pointed to the injunction, Thou
shalt not bear false witness against thy
neighbor." ~ learned that before could
read"
Has any one talked with you about your
being witness in court here against this
man 2" 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 Command
nents, and then we kneeled down together,
aad she prayed that might understand how
wicked it was to bear false witness against
my neighbor, and that God ould help mc,a
little child, to tell the truth as it was before
him. And when l came up here with father,
she kissed me, and told me to remember the
Ninth Commandment, and that God would
hear every word that | said"
"Do you believe this 2" asked the Judge,
while a tear glistened in his eye and his lip
quivered with emotion.
Yes, SIR said the child, with voice
and manner that showed her conviction of
its truth was perfect.
"God bless you, my child" said the
Judge, "you have a good mother. This
witnessis competent" he continued. "Were
on trial for my life, and innocent of the
charge against me, would pray God for such
a witness as this. Let her be examined"
She told her story with the simplicity of a
child as she was, but there was directness
about it which carried conviction of its
truth to every heart. She was rigidly cross
examined. The counsel piled her with inf
mite and ingenious questioning, but she va
ried from her nrst in nothing. The truth,
as spoken ny that little child, was sublime.