Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-03-05
far the Npllle Gittle.
A FRIEND IN COURT.

A FRIEND IN COURT.
A little fellow, ten years of age, was ar
rested in London some years since, for steal
ing. He was brought by the policeman
into court and placed upon the stand before
the Judge. He was very much aifrighted
and trembled as he glanced around the
court-room.' The Judge, moved by his ten
der years and his gentle face, which gave
evidence that he could not have been long
in the company of vicious boys, asked hin
kindly if he had no friends in the courtroom
The little fellow cast timid look over the
faces of the crowd attending the trials, and
then turning his childish, appealing face to
the Judge, said "No; sir" He had hard.
ly made the answer, when turning around
again, and pointing towards the door, he
shouted out "There comes my father p
The Judge called the father forward to
the stand. He wore the thread-bare gar
ments of soldier. His face was yet thin
and pale. He limped as he came through
the crowd, which separated to let him pass.
He was bowed down either through feeble
ness OF SOTTOW, dIlu udu d FCly oAAiooS VA
preston upon his countenance.
To the inquiry of the Judge about the
act for which his little son had been arres,
ted, he said, with much feeling, he knew
nothing oft, until he heard he was in court.
He feared the boy had done wrong. He
did not know what he could do about it,
''but it will break my heart" he said, ''to
have him sent to Jail. This little boy" he
continued, els all that is left to me Of my
family, and if the Judge is pleased to hear
me, I shall be glad to say few words a.
bout myself ..,.
He was encouraged to 60 on, the Judge
expressing much interest in his story.
ga little more than ten years ago." said
the feeble soldier, "when the child was an
infant, his mother lay upon her dying bed.
She besought me in her last moments to
watch over the little motherless babe that
she was about to leave behind her. prom
|ised her that he should never be away from
me, if I could help it, and that I would do
all I could to bring him up good boy
Just after my wife died, was drafted as
soldier in the army, and I had no means
of securing substitute. Icould not leave
my helpless child behind when our regi-
ment was sent to India. so I took him with
me. He always slept with me, and I tried
to teach him, as soon as he could speak,
the prayers that he would have learned of
his mother if she had lived. Wherever 1
went, from camp to camp, I took him with
me. In the tent, in the barracks, under
my blanket upon the ground, the boy al
ways slept by my side. ..
'When the war broke out and our regi-
ment moved to the front, my child accom-
panied me. I have carried him for days in
my arms during our weary marches. He
was both the care and the comfort of my
life. In severe battle was wounded in
several places, it was thought at first NOR
tally, and fell upon the field. I was car
Iried by my companions to the hospital, and
they took such carcass they could of my
child. Contrary to the expectation of the
surgeon, I did not die of my wounds, but
after long period of weakness, began slow:
BBr,tt-ra.5J' -vonettusio.r
been broken down, and I left my bed a
lame, feeble man, unable to endure the la.
Dor and fatigue of the camp. After time,
discharge was obtained for me: and was
permitted to come back to my native land.
I determined to return to the town where
had formerly lived, and was known, and
try to find some light employment by which
1 might be able to support myself and my
little boy.
ssI reached London few weeks since,
and was taken sick almost Immediately up.
on landing. During my sickness 1 was
sometimes delirious, and could take no care
of my child. The people where boarded
were all strangers to me. In this time the
boy wandered into the streets and fell a.
mong bad companions, fear. When
became conscious of my situation found
he was not in the house.
"You may imagine my distress, sick and
helpless as I was. AS soon as I could gel
out, commenced making inquiries for him
in every direction, and finally, throug III the
police, heard of the arrest of child about
his age. And here he is" said the father
with trembling lip, as he turned his melt:
eyes upon the weeping boy. "What can
do for him? I have done something for my
country, and bear the marks of it. Per,
haps for this, the first crime of my child
may be forgiven" The old soldier open,
ed the worn garments that covered his
breast, and showed the terrible scars of the
lately healed wounds which he had brought
from the field of blood. The Judge, and
all in the courtroom, were deeply affected
by the simple and touching recitals.
sTake your boy" said the Judge, his
voice husky from his emotions. "You have
been brave soldier; you deserve we'll from
your country, and [ know you will be q
good father to watch over him and KEEP
him from temptation in the future"
The ''dock" where the boy sat was open
ed and he sprang into his fathers arms
All in the court cheered them as the two
passed slowly, hand in hand, out Of the
room, and started once more upon then
weary journey.
What comfort to that boy, in his trou'
BILE, it was to find friend in court, one a.
BILE to speak for him, one that loved him sc
we'll, and one that was able to save him!
Dear little readers have we not sinned
Does not something within us sit as Judge
and seem to condemn us? Have we frienc
who can save us? We look all over the
n I IL