Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-05-25
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Truthful Witness.

1AO IL VI 4IAOGDI
A little girl, nine years of age, was offered
as a witness against prisoner, who was on
trial for felony committed in her fathers
house.
"Now Emily" said the counsel for the prs-
oner, upon her being offered as witness, 81
desire to know if you understand the nature
of an oath 2"
81 don't know what you mean," was the
simple answer.
'There, your honor, said the counsel, ad-
dressing the Court, sis there anything further
necessary to demonstrate the validity of my
objection This witness should be rejected.
She does not comprehend the nature of an
oath"
"I4et US see" said the Judge. ''Come here,
my daughter"
Assured by the kind tone and manner of
the Judge, the child stepped towards him,
and looking up confdiDgly in his face with a
calm clear eye, and in manner so artless and
frank, that it went right to the heart.
"Did you ever take an oath ?" inquired
the judge.
The little girl stepped back with look of
horror, and the rcd blood mantled in blush
over her fuce and neck as she answered.
"No, sir"
She thought he meant to inquire if she had
ever blasphemed.
II do not mean that" said the Judge, who
saw his mistake; II mean were you ever
witness before"
No, sir; I never was in Court BEFORE"
was the answer.
He handed her the Bible open.
"Do you know that book, my daughter ?"
She looked at it and answered, "Yes, sir
it is the Bible"
"Do you ever read it ?" he asked
eyes, sir; every evening"
'sCan you tell me what the Bible is 2" in.
quired the Judge.
'It is the word of tho great God" she an
swerod.
well, place your hand upon this Bible,
and listen to what l say" and he repeated
slowly and oolemnly the oath usually admins.
tered to witnesses.
Now" said the Judge, "you have sworn
as a witness. Will you tell me what will be-
fall you if you do not tell the truth z"
81 shall be shut up in the State Prison"
answered the child.
'AuJthing else?" asked the Judge.
81 shall never go to Heaven" she replied.
"IIow do you know this 2" said the Judge
again.
The child took the Bible, and turning
rapidly to the chapter oontainfng the COM
mandments, pointed to the injunction. "Thou
shall not bear false witness against thy neigh
Dor" and said, 81 learned that before could
read"
"Has any one talked with you about your
being witness here in court against this
man ?" inquired the Judge.
Eyes, 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 commandments and then we
kneeled down together, and she prayed that
I 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. And when
I came up here with father she kissed me,
and told me to remember the ten command
ments. and that God would hear every word
[ said"
"Do you believe this ?" asked the Judge,
while tear glstened in his eye and his lip
uuivered with emotion.
Yes, sir" said the child, with a voice that
showed that her conviction of its truth was
perfect.
"God bless you, my child, said the Judge,
ssyou 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 a witness as
this Let her be examined"
She told her story with the simplicity of
child, as she was, there was directness about
it which carried conviction of its truth to
every heart. She was rigidly cross examined.
The counsel piled her with Infinite and inge.
nious questiOnings, but she varied from her
first statements in nothing. The truth. so
spoken by that little child, was sublime
Falsehood and perjury had preceded her
testimony. The prisoner had entrenched him
self with lies until he deemed himself i'm
preguabIe. But before her testimony, false
hood was scattered ike chaff. The little
child for whom mother prayed for strength
to be given her to speak the truth, as if it
was before God, broke the cunning devices
Of matured villainly to pieces like potter's
vessel. The strength her mother prayed for
was given her, and the sublime simplicity
terrible, mean, to the prisoner and his as
sociates-with which she spoke, was Ike rev.
elation from God himself