The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1868-03-06
The Truthful Witness.


A little girl, nine yeaIs of age, was offer
ed as witness against prisoner, who was
on trial for a-felony committed in her faith
ers house.
Now, Emily, said the counsel for the
prisoner. upon her being offered as wit
! ness, II desire to know if iyou understand
the nature Of an OATH
Il don't know what you mean," was the
simple answer.
There, your Honor, said the counsel,
addressing the court, lis there anything
further necessary 10 demonstrate the valid
ity of my objection2 This witness sholld be
rejected. She does not comprehend the
nature of an oath.
Let us see," said the judge. ''Come
here my daughter"
Assured by the kind tone and manner of
the Judge, the child stepped towards him,
aed looked up con6dingly in his face with
calm, clear eye, and in manner so art
less and frank that it went right to the
hear.
did you ever take an oath?' inquired
the Judge.
The little girl stepped back with look
of horror, and the red blood mantled in
blush over her face and neck as she an
swered.
NO, SIR
She thought he meant to inquire if she
had ever bias phemed
Il do not mean that" said the Judge,
who saw his mistake II mean, were you
ever a witness before p
mo, sir | was never in court before"
was the answer.
He handed her the Bible, open.
do you know that book, my daugh-
ter p
She looked at it and answered, eyes,
sir it is the Bible. y
DO you ever read it?'' he asked.
les, sir every evening.
Can you tell me what tke Bible is?
inquired the Judge.
1T is the word of the great God, she
answered
well, place your hand upon this Biole,
and listen to what say - and i.e repeated
slowly and solemny the oath usually ad-
mlnlstered to witnesses.
Now" said the Judge, you have
sworn as a witness. VIII you tell me
what will betal you if you do not tell the
TRUTH
II shall be shut up in the State Prison."
answered the child.
Anything ese?'' ask ed the Judge.
Il shall never 60 to heaven, she re-
piled.
How do you no know this?' said the
Judge again,
The child took the Bible, and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the COM
mandments, pointing to the injunction,
Thou shalt not bear false witness against
thy neighbor,' and said, II learned that
before could read y
Has any one talked with you about
yon being witness here in court against
! this 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 and
asked me to tell her the ten command
ments; and then We kneeled down together
and she prayed that | might understand
how wicked it was to bear false witness
against my neighbor, and that God would
help me little child, to tell the truth as if
it was before him. Aud when | came up
here with father she kissed me, and told
me te remember the ninth commandment,
and that God would hear every word |
said.
DO you believe this p ask I'd the judge,
while tear gistened in his eye, and his
lip quivered with emotion.
Yes; sir, said the child, with a voice
that showed her conviction Of its truth was
perfect
God bless you, my child" said the
judge, you have good mother. This
witness is competent" he continued
Were on trial for my life, and innocent
of the charge against me, would pray
God for such witness as this. Let her be
examined"
She told her story with the simplicity of
! child, as she was, but there was direct
ness about it which carried conviction Of
its truth to the heart. She was rigidly
cross examined. The counsel pied her
with infinite and ingenious questionings.
but she varad from her first statements in
nothing The truth, so spoken by that
little child, was sublime. Falsahood and
perjury had preceded her testimony. The
prisoner had intrenched himself with lies
till he deemed himself impregnabe But
before her testimony falsehood was scat
tered like chaff The little child for whom
a mother had prayed for strength to be
given her to speak the truth as if it was be-
fore God, broke the cunning devices of
matured villainy to pieces like a potter
vessel The strength that her mother
prayed for was given her, and the sublime
mplicity-terrible, | mean, to the pris
| oner and his associates-with which she
spoke, was like revelation from God him