North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-11-21
SIMPLICITY OF TRUTH

/
our high courts, a beautiful illustration of
! the simplicity and power of truth.
A little girl nine years of age, was offer
cd AS a witness against prisoner who was
on trial for felony committed in her fathers
house.
"Now, Emily" said counsel for the prs-
oner, upon her being offered as witness,
Il desire to understand if you know the na-
ture of an oath 2"
II don't know what you mean," was the
simple answer
There your honor" said the counsel,
addressing the court. "Is anything neces-
sary to demonstrate the validity OF my OBJ
ipction! The witness should be rel cted.
She does not comprehend the nature of an
oath"
"Let us see," said the Judge come here
my daug hter"
Assured by the kind tone and manner
of the Judg"rhe chill stepped towards h,m
and locked confidently mp III his face with
a calm, clear eye, and in manner so art
less it Went straight 10 the heart.
did YOU ever take an oath ?" inquired
the Judge.
The little girl stepped back with look
of horror, AID the red blood mant'ed in a
blush all over her face and neck, AS she
answered, No, sir" She thought he in
tended to in quire if she had ever blasphem-
ed.
81 don't mean tn It" said the Judge.who
saw her mistake, Il mean were you ever
a witness before ?"
He handed her the Bible open.
"Do you know that book my daugh'er?"
Sh locke at it and answered, Yes Sir
II is the Bible.
"Do you ever read it ?" lie asked,
"Yp$, sir - every evening
"Can you tell me what The Bible is T.
at is the Word of the Grea; God,' she
answered 81
well place your hand ufol this Bible,
and listen to what say AMI he repeated
slowly and solemnly the oath usually ad
mini>teled TO Witnesses.
Now" said the Judge, you have been
sworn as witnss-wiII you tell me what
will telal yon if you do not til the truih!"
Il shall be shat up in the State prison.
answered ,le child.
Anything else,' a>kei the Judge.
81 shall never go to Heaven
"riow do you know ? asked the Judge
again.
The child took the Bible, and turning
rapidly to the chapter conraini, z the COM
,nandmcmt<, pointed to the inju ctrom
.Thou shalt not bear false wiInc>s against
thy n-ighhor."
Ill armed that" she said before could
read.
"Has any one talked to yon about your
being witness in Court here against tbs
man 2" mqnir' the Judge. ..s,.. ...
"Yes, SIR she replied ''my mother
heard they wanted me to be a witness, and
asst ni.ht she called me into her room aud
asked me t" tell her the ten commandments.
and then We kncrled dowu together, AMI
-he prayed that might und rsiand how
wicked it was to bear false witness against
nv neighbor, and that God would help me-
"A lttlr CHI d, to tell the truth as it was be
fore Him. And when came here with
father, she kissed me, and told me to re
member the ninth commandment aud that
God would hear every word | said.
"Do You believe this p said the Judge,
with tear glslening in his eye and his
lips quivering with emotion.
Yes, SIR said the child, with a voice
aud manner that showed her conviction OF
the truth was perfect.
"God bless you, my child,' SAID the
Judge, you have good mother. This viii
ness is competent, he continued. Were |
on trial for my life, and innocent of the
charges against me, would pray God for
such witness as this.
She told her story with the simplicity of
a child, as she was, but there WAS direct
ness about it which carried conviction of
its truth to every heart. She was rgidly
cross examined. The counsel piled witt
infi it, aud ingenious questioning, but she
varied from the first statement IN nothing
The truth AS spoken by that ctlld was sub
lime. Falsehood and perjury proceeded
her testimony. The prisoner lad cnirrncll
ed himself in lies. until he deemed him
self imp,eynable. Witnesses had faIsfie
facts in his favor, and vilainv had manutac-
iured sham detenc., but before her tr>ti
mony, fal>eho"d WAS scattered like chaft, -
The littlo child, for whom a mother had
prayed for strength to be given her speak
the truth as il was before God, troke The
cunning devices of matured yil'ainy in pie
ces like poitcr's vessel, The strength
that the mother had prayed for was 9 ver
her and he sublime AID terrible >impl cily.
(terrlblr, | mean, to the priS"n.r and his
prrjured associates.) with which she spoke,
vas like revelation from God himself
A SoLID DEMOCRATIC BoRoUGH.-The
new borough of Chapman. in Northamp'
on 'unty at the late .li:t east h T st
vote solid for the Democratic tick 't-n"t
a solitary Republican, vote. We hope
Chapman will always continue in that tack.