Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-09-16
The Young Witness.

A little girl, nine years of age, was a wit
ness against prisoner, who was on trial
for crime committed in her fathers house.
Nov, Emily" said the counsel for the
prisoner, upon her being put in the witness
box. Il desire to know if ycu 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, is there anything
further necessary to show the force of my
objection? This witness should be rejected
an cath. "
Let US see,'' said the Judge. Come
here, my little girl. -
Assured by the kind tone and manner of
the Judge, the child stepred toward him
and looked up confdingly in his face, with
calm, clear eye, and in manner so art
less and frank that it went straight to the
heart
Did you ever take an oath ?" inquired
the Judge. The little girl stepped back
with look of horror, and the blood man
tied in blush all over her face and neck as
she answered.
No, sir ~
She thought he meant to inquire if she
had ever blasphemed.
Il do not mean that, said he, when he
saw his mistake. Il mean, were you ever
witness before?"
No, sir: | was never in a court before, -
sheanswered
He handed her the Bible-open.
DO you know that book p
She looked at it and answered, ''yes, sir {;
its the Bible
Do you ever read the Bible?" asked
the Judge.
Yes, sir; every evening"
''Can you tell me what the Bible is 2"
inquired he
1T is the word of the great God 2 she
answered
We'll, place your hand upon this Bible,
and listen to what | say" and he repeated
slowly and solemnly the oath usually given
TO witnesses.
Now, said he, you have sworn as a
witness. Will you tell me what will befalI
you if you do not tell the truth ?'
Il shall be shut up in prison., answered
she
Is there anything else," asked the
Judge
Yes, sir; shall never go to heaven, :"
she replied
How DO you know this?' asked the
Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and turning rap
Idly to the chapter containing the command
nents, pointed to this one-s'Thou shalt
hotOeaTtalse witness against thy neighbour. y
l earned that before could read -
Has any one talked with you about your
beng witness in court here against this
man.
Yes, sir, she replied. My mother
heard they wanted me to be witness, and
last night she called NE to her room, and
asked he tote.l her the ten commandments !;
and then We kneeled down together and she
iiayed that | might understand how wick
ea II Vas 10 bear false witness against my
L-isl60r, and that God would help me, a
L-le child, to tell the truth as it was before
HIN, Aud when | came up here with faith
e. she kissed NE aud told me to remem Der
I7 ninth commandment, and that God
'y-.l hear every word that said. u
DO You believe this p asked the Judge,
'nl.s tear giIs.ened in his eye, and his lip
eli'eTei with emotion.
les, sir. said the child, with a voice
''nai showed her conviction of its truth was
Perfect.
Uod bess You my child" said he; '.you
lave asood mother This witness is com.
ieeni' he continued. Were [ on tria
AZ my life, and innocent of the charge
s-iasl me, | would pray God for such a
ele>s ~ as this Let her be examined -
sue told her story with the simplicity o.
'N-4r as she was; but there was direct
l72s about it that carried convict on of its
-'l 10 every heart She was rigidly cross
1Ii,i'ed. The counsel asked her many
''u0iesone and awkard questions, but she
'4rIsa from her first statement in nothing
i'e truth 50 spoken by that little chiiC
vas sublime. Falsehood and perjury haC
f'e.eeied her testimony, but before he
s'.noney tal>ehood was scattered Hk,
A4H' The little child, for " HON mothe
1 prayed for strength, TO be given her t
epeaA the truth as it was before God, brok
'ae cunning devices and matured villainy t
pieces.
ueed not say that the man was foun
s4",y' and that he was sent to prison TO
two Years. | hope he was bette
nan after he came out.
ouhg ladies' use pain for the same reasc
"''aers do rosin, TO aid in drawing the 'bo "