Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1863-09-26

OF 1h 1,hotn =, h.,, , seem ,, more more
..ippR, i.orchiDg .ud h be.ptifal n.rr,sive s
sboving forth The power Of .ruth, than tbiis
which follows. Il |. from The pen .of 4;
: so1t 1Htrnnm'oend ne o.u'hor of Go, ,"sco,uo''Iry
Marg'n.,"I : most pleasant and genial
writer ~ witnessed > short time ago j.
one 9f our higher courts, beautiful illus.
trstion Of the simplicity and power oi
truth, A ,little girl, nine years Of sgs.
was offered - a'wi.ne,s sgainst ; prison.
er who was on trial for felony committed
at her fathers house. .I.'
Nov, Emily" said the, counsel for tie
prisoner. upon her being offered as ; Wit
ness, Il desire to know If you understand
The nature Of 80 oath 2 "Ido not know
what you mean,"' was the simple answer.
"There, your honor" said the counsel,
addressing the court, ''is anything further
necessary to demonstrate the validity Of
my objection The witness should be
rejected-shs does no: comprehend the
nature Of On OATH" .u
lie: me see,' said the Judge. Come
here my daughter" Assured BY the kind
tone and manrer Of the judge, the child
stepped toward him, and looked conf
IDENTIFY up in his face, with a calm, clea.
eye, and 10 manner so artless and frank
that it went straight t. the heart. ibid
yot ever take an oath?' Inquired the
Judge. The little girl stepped back with a
look Of horror, and the rich blood mantled
in blush all over her face and neck as
she answered, No, SIR, She thought be
intended to inquire if she had ever bias.
phened. II do not mean, that" said the
judge, who sav her mistake Il mean,
were you > Witness before 2 mo, sir;
never Was in court before was :he an.
swer. He handed her The Bible, open.-
"Do you know that book, my daughter p
She looked at it and answered-"Yes,
sir it is the Bible.' DO you ever read
it?' he asked. "Yes, sir, every evening"
"Can you tell what the Bible is p inquir.
ed the judge. ut is the word Of the grea,
God,' she answered.
"Well, place your hand upon this Bible
and listen to what | say;"" aud he repeat
ed, 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 you do not tell the truth % Il
shall be shu. up in the State Prison." au.
swered the child.
Anything else ?" asked the judge. Il
shall not 60 to Heaven she replied
How do you know this p asked the judge
again.
The child took the Biole, and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the
Commandments, pointed to The injunction
Thou shalt not scar false witness
against thy ueighbor." II learned that
said she, before could read
HAS any one talked to you about being
. witness against this man?'' inquired
the Judge.
"Yea, SIR she replied. my mother
heard they wanted me for witness, and
last night she called mo to her room and
asked me to tell her the Ten Command.
ments, and then We kneeled down togeth.
er, and she prayed that ! might under
stand how wicked it was to bear false
witness against my ueighbor, and ,ha,
God would help me, little child. to tell
the truth - it was before Him and when
it 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." .~~ s.4.u.,.
'Do you believe this p asked the Judge,
while . tear glis.ensd in bis ego aud biz
lip quivered with emotion. 4...,,....s
""Yes, sir" ssid the child, With voice
and manner that allowed her CONVICTION ol
the truth vas perfect. r,e T.; yt>,4 id 1.a
Il "God blsss ,you, ny child = said the
Judge, you have , good mother, Thi.
wi.ne'. is coUps'en.," be continued =
We're on trial for my life and innocent
Of the charge sgains. NE, ! would pra,
fos Just sach : ~i.oes. - this Let be,
be examined" ..g...... ~. .~.....-...
She told her, story With the simplicity
Of : child, - che was, but, there was d,
fectnsss about it which carried conviction
Of its truth 70 every heart She vas rig
idly cross. examined. The counsel piled
her with infinite and ingenious question
ings, bu. she varied from her 6r,. state.
msns in nothing The truth . spoken ,,
that child vas sublime. Flsshood and
perjury ! had = preceded her ,e.,inooy,---
The prisoner had sn,rsnnehed ~ sn 4 himself -
lisp, until ha deemed, himself inpreena.
BE. Wittesss1 hAS ttlSded ttut6 Il hi,