Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-09-30
The Young witness.

A little girl, nine years Of age, was wit
ness against prisoner, who was on tlial fol
q crime committed in her fathers house.
snow, Emily" said the counsel for the
prisoner, upon her being put in the witness
box, II desire to know if you understand
the nature Of an OATH" .-.a
II don't know what you mean," was the
simple answer.
''There, your Honor" said the counsel,
addressing the court, sis there anything
further necessary to show the force Of my
objection? This witness should be rejected.
You see she does not know the nature Of an
OATH"
LET ua see," said the Judge. "Come
here, my little girl."
Assured by the kind tone and manner Of
the judge, the child stepped toward him and
looked up cop6dinsly in his face, with o
calm, clear eye, aud in manner so artless
and frank, that it went straight to the heart.
did you ever take an oath? p 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
sho answered.
mo, SIR"
She thought he meant to inquire if she
had ever blasphemed.
II do not mean that" said he, when he
saw his mistake. II mean, were you ever
q witness bcfore?''
"No, sir; ! was never in court before, ="
she answered. ...-. -.
lie handed her the Bible-open.
do you know that book?"
She looked at it and answered, "yes, sir ;
it's the Bible"
DO you ever read the Bible" asked the
Judge.
''Yes, sir; every evening""
"Can you tell me what the Bible is?' in
qui,ed he.
1T is the word Of the great Godr' she
answered.
swell, place your hand upon this Bible,
aud listen 10 what say" and he repeated
slowly and solemDly the oath usually given
to witnesses.
Now" said he, "you have sworn as a
witness Will you tell me what will befall
you if you do not tell the truth?'
II shall be shut up in prison." answered
she.
rs there anything else?' asked the
Judge.
Eyes, sir; I shall never go to heaven"
she replied.
''How do you know this?" asked the
Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and turning
iapidly 10 the chapter containing the COM
mandments, pointed to this ope-''Thou
shalt not bear false witness against thy
neishbor." Il learned that before could
read"
''Has any one talked with you about your
being witness in court here against this
man?'
'Yes, SIR" she replied. my mother
heai d they wanted me to be a witness, and
last night she called me to her room, and
asked me to tell her the ten commandments;
and then we kneeled down together and she
prayed that might understand how wicked
it was to bear false witness against my
neighbor, aud that God would help me,
little child, to tell the truth as it was before
Him. And when / came up here with faith
cr, she kissed me and told me 10 remember
the ninth commandment, and that God
would hear every word that said"
do you believe this?'' asked the Judge,
while tear glistened in his eye, and bis lip
quivered with emotion.
''Yes, sir" said the child, with voice
that showed her conviction of its truth was
perfect.
God bless you, my child" said he;
'you have good mother. This witness is
competent" he continued. "Were l 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
o child, as she was; but there was direct
ness about it that carried conviction Of It's
truth to every heart. She was risidly cross
examined. The counsel asked her many
troublesome and awkward questions, but she
varied from her first statement in nothing.
The truth so spoken by that little child
was sublime. Falsehood and perjury had
preceded her testimony, but before her tes-
timony falsehood was scattered like chaff.
The little child, for whom mother had
prayed for strength to be given her to speak
the truth as it was before God. broke the
cunning devices and matured villaiuy to
pieces.
l need not say that the man was found
guilty, and that he was sent to prison for
nearly two years. hope he was q better
man after he came out.
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