The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-07-17

The following beautiful illustration Of the
sim plicity and power OF truth ia from the
ri pen Of 8. Hammond. formerly editor OF
the Albany State Register He was an eye
witness OF the scene in one nf the higher
= eourts: HU-a aaH
ro A little girl nine wears Of aga was offered
IS witness against prisoner who was on
trial tor felony committed in her fathers
house. y rs s..s.
:" Now. Emily said the counsel for the
prisoner. upon her being offered as Wit
ness. :. desire to know if you understand
the nature OF an oath ?"
z" don't know what you meao,'' was the
simple answer.
-" There, your honor" said the counsel.
3 addressing the Court 4" is anything further
y NECESSARY to demonstrate the validity OF my
=. oblecti N? This witness should be reject
cd Sac does not comprehend the validity
Of an oath"
:, - Lat me see . said the Judge : Come
here, my daughter. - .a
az Assured By the kind manner and tone of
the Jades the child stepped forward toward
him.rendI looked con6liogly up in his face,
With Gslsa. clear eye, osnd in . m inner so
srtlsss and igsuk that it went strai sht to the
heart. ,..,o+.. "A "a .!1 s+
= =. Did you ever take an ,o.th,?'. inquired
the Judge. The little girl stepped back
with a look Of horror. and the red blood
sDantled all over her face and neck as she
answered:
~. No. sir"
i, Sue thought he intended to inquire il she
had ~ver. blssphemsd. ~ rfop Z. 7..i ie
Il do not mean that. said the Judge,
who saw her mistake. !" mean were you
ever q witness before -
nI I" No sir, I never was in court before"
wss the answer
He handed her the Bible open.
"Do you know that book. my daughter ?"
She looked at It and and riswered, Yes,
cir. it is the Bible
81" Did you ever read il - he asked.
I" Yes. sir. every evening.
al" Can You tell me what the Bible is ?"
inquired the Judge.
:. 1t 10 the word of the great God" she
answersd.
Well. place your hand upon this Bible.
and listen to what l say ~ and he repeated
slowly and solemnly the oath usually ad.
ministered to witnesses.
Now" said the Judge, You have sworn
ass witness. will you tell me what will be.
tall you it you do not tell the truth 80
% i shall be shut up in the State Prison."
answered the child.
- Anything else % asked the Judge.
4" s. all never go to Heaven" she re-
piled.
:. How do you know this 90 asked the
judge.
The child took the Bible. and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the com
msndments pointed 60 the injunction. Thou
shalt not bear false witness agains thy neigh.
bor' ~ learned that before could read"
" Has any one talked 10 YOU about your
~
man ?" 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 aui
asked me to tell her the Ten Go nm and ments.
and then we kneeled down together and she
prayed that might understand how wicked
il Was to bear false witness against my
neiyhbor. aud that God would help me, q
little child. TO tell the truth a. il was before
him. And rs l came up here with father
che kissed me and told me to remember the
Ninth Commandment, and that God would
hear every word that said
DO you believe this 80 asked the Judge.
vie a ear gl,stened in his eye. and his lip
luivered with ernoioa.
Yes. SIR" said the chill. with voice
and m .nner that showed her conviction Of
AZ ruth Was perfect.
God bless you. my csild,' said the
judge. " you have good mother" This
witness is competent" be contiuasd- Were
on Gial for my life. and innocens of the
charges against me | woa,d pray God for
such witness As this. Let her be exsmin
ed" fesyoF# wrN SlTRC 2
She told her story with the simplicity Of
child, rs she vas. but there vas direct.
ne-s about il that carried conviction Of its
truth to ths'hesrt. She was rigidy cross
e<+"'ned. The counsel piled her with in.
hfs and isgenious questioning. lbst she
var ed from her 6rst statement in nothing.
Inc truth As spoken BY that little child. was
ssei'."e Fs'-ehood and perjury had pre-
ceded her testimony The prisoner had en-
..sssS'sd. .ss .hsyT!s 10 hss siii he deemed him {
tac.s in his fGvor. and villauy had- -n.nur.s.
sarsd Tor him sham dsiepse. But before