National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1868-03-27
The Truthful Witness.

was offered as IA witness against a
prisoner, who was on trial for fcl-
ony committed in her fathers house.
Now, Emily. said the counsel for
the prisoner, upon her being offered
as a witness, Il desire to know If
you understand the nature OF an
cath p
4 dout know what you mean
was the simple answer.
There, your Honor, said the
counsel, addressing the court, is
there anything further necessary to
demonstrate the Validity Of my OBJ
lection? This witness should be
rejected. She does not comprehend
the nature of ali OATH
'Lct us see,' said the judge.
Come here, my laughter
Assured by the kind tone and
manner Of the Judge. the child
stepped toward him, and looked up
confidently i'll his face with Il cain,
clear eye, and IL q manner so artlcss
and frank that 1t went ligL, to the
heart.
Odd you ever take an oath 2 in.
qu:red the Judge.
The little girl stepped back will
a look OF horror, ana the red blood
manted III II blush over her face
and neck as she answered,
No. SIR
She thought l.c meant 10 inquire
if she had ever biiSpliemCd.
Il 10 not mean tha5,' said the
Jndge, who saw his mistake; I
mean, were you ever 1ituess be
fore 2
No, sir; ] never was in court be-
fore was the answer.
He handed Lcr the Bible. open.
DO YOU know that book, my
daughter "
She looked at it and answered,
Yes, sir; il is the Bible
DO you ever read it 2 lie asked.
1es, sir: every evening"
Can You tell me What the Bible
is :? inquired the Judge.
1t is the word of the great God
, she answered.
well, place your hand upon this
Bible, and listen to what | say and
he repeated slowly and soiemnly
, the oath usually administered to
, witnesses.
'Now, said thc judge. You have
; sworn As II witness. viii YOU tell
me what will befali yen if YOU don't
, tel. the truth =
t Il shall he Shut up in State Prs-
: on, answered the child.
'ArytnlDg else Z ashed Tic Judge.
! Il shall never go TO ueaven,' she
replied.
. .How do YOU know this p said the
Judge again.
The c!i!d took The Bible, and
turning rapidly TO the chapter con
tanning the commandments, pointed
to the injunction, Thou shalt not
bear false witness against thy neigh
, bor,' ana said. y learned that be.
fore could read
? 'lias any one talked with you
about your being n witness here in
3. court against this man 2 inquired
, the judge.
! 'Ncs, sir she replied. MY moth.
' er heard they wanted me to he Il
| witness. and last night she called
. me to her room and asked Inc to
q tell her the ten commandments
and then We kneeled down togetil-
l cr, and she prayed that | might TN
derstand how wicked 1t was TO bear
D false witness against my ncghbcr,
$ and God would help me, little
2 child, to tell the truth as II it was
=, before him. And when came up
; here, with father she kissed me and
told me to remember the ninth com
mardment, and that God would
, hear every word ! said
= 'Do you believe this = asked the
judge, while tear glistcned in his
!. eIc, and his lip Quivcred with emo,
/ ten.
c Yes. SIR said the Child. with a
voice that showed her conviction o.
e its truth was perfect.
God bless YOU, my child, salt
:. the judge, 'you have II good moth
/, or. This witness Is competent Ii,
r continued. Were ! oi trial soy mS
}. life, and innocent of the charge
Il against me. | would pray God iol
IS Such Il witness as this. Let her l.,
tt examined!
She told her story with the sim
II plicity OF II child, ~ size was, bu
n there was dircctncss about i
y which carried conviction Of its trutl
Il 10 the very heart. She was rigidl,
e. cross examined. The cuuasel pie,
i. her with infinite opd Ingenious qucs
i tionsings, but she varied from he
re- first stvtemeit in hotbias. 1h'
5. truth, so SPOKEN oy that little el,ii,i
II was sublime. Fa.schood and pen
i. jury had preceded her testimony. =
Is .'he prisoner had in:rouchcd himscl
IN with lies till he deemed himself i'm
i. prrgnablc. But before her testilno
~ ny iilschood was scattered lik
1t chaii. 1hc little child for whom
d mother had prayed for strength {
~ he given her To speak :he truth q
Id ii H. was before God, broke the cut
Di ming devices of ma,uycd villainy 1
II. pieces like n pottcrs vessel. th
" strength that her mother prayed 'o
G. was given her, and The sublime sil'
~ plicity--icrrihlc, ! mcaii to the pris
Is. Ouer and his assUcintcs---witii wliic,
II she spoke, Was like revelations iron
God himso!f.