Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-06-09
A Bcaufifui Illusirntion.

OSlll ctutC ysStt' AAS "os ~
ness of the scene In one OF the higher
courts of New York.
A little girl, nine years OF ago, was
offered as witness against prisoner.
who was on trial for felony committed
In her fathers houss.
"New, Emily" said the counsel for the
prisoner, upon her being offered NJ wit-
ness, 81 desire to know u you understand
the nature Of an oathf"
al don't know what you mean," WAS
the simple answer.
"There, your honor" said the counsel.
addressing the court, "is anything fur
ther necessary to demonstrate the validity
of my objections This witness should b
rejected. She does not comprehend tho
nature Of an OATH"
"Iet US see," said the judge. "Coms
here, NV daughter"
Assured by the kind tone ans manner
Of the Judge, the child stepped toward
him, and looked oonildingly up Into bis
face with calm, clear eve, and With
manner so artloss aud frank that Il went
straight to the heart.
''Did you ever take an oathy" inquired
the Judge The little girl stepped back
with look of horror, and the red blood
mantlsd IN blush all over her face Ms she
answered:
"No, SIR"
She thought that he intended to inquire
If she ever blasphemcd.
II do not mean that" said the judge,
who saw her mistake; ~ mean, were you
ever n witness befores"
"No, was never in court before, was
the answer.
He handed her tho Bibo, opon.
''Do you know that book, my daugh-
teri"
She looked at II and answered:
eyes, sir; ii is the Bible"
"Do you ever read itY" he asked.
eyes, sir; every evening"
"Can YOU tell me what the Bible ist"
inquired the judge.
"It Is the word Of the great God, ;" she
answered
"Well, place your hand upon this Bible,
and liston TO what say;" and he repeat
ell slowly and solemnly the oath usually
administered to witnesses.
"Now," said the judge, ''you have
sworn ~ n witness, will you tell me what
will befall you II you do not tell the
truth?"
81 shall be shut up in State prison."
answered the child
Anything elso?" asked tho judge.
81 shall never 60 to heaven" she re-
piled.
GLOW do you know this1" asked tho
Judge again.
The child took the Bible, and turning
rapidly to the chapter containing tho
commandments, pointed to the injunc-
tion, "Thou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor." 81 learned that
before could read"
elias any one talked with you about
your being witness here against this
man'" inquired the judge"
"Ycs, SIR" she replied. "My mother
heard they wanted me to be n witness.
and last night she called mo to hor room
and asked Inc to tell her the ton command
ments, and then we knclt down together,
and she prayed that might understand
how wicked IL WAS TO bear falso witness
against my neighbor, and that God would
help me, littlo Child. 10 tell he truth -
IL was before him. And when cagBe up
here with my father, she klsssd me, snd
told me 20 remember tho nInth command
ment and that God would hear every
word that said"
"Do you believe thiss" asked tho
Judge, while a tear glistsnsd In his ego
and his lip quivcred with emotion.
eyes, SIR" said the child, with voice
and manner that showed her convIetisa
OF the truth WAS perfect.
God bless you, my child" said the
Judge; "you have a good mother. This
witness Is competent" he continued.
"were on trial for my life aud innocent
OF the charge against me, would prsyte
God for such witnesses as this. Let her
be examined"
she told her story with the simplicitysf
a child, as she was, but there was direct
meas about IL that carried conviction OF It's
truth to every heart. She was rigidly
cross-examincd. The counsel piled her
with indefinite and ingenious questions
ing, but she varied from her first state
mont in nothing. Tho truth as spoken by
that little child was sublime. Falsshoed
and perjury had preceded her. The pris-
oper had entrsnchcd himself Ia lies. Wit
nesses had falsiaed facts In bis favor, and
yillainy had man ufactured for him sham
defense. But before her testimony h Was
scattered like chat. The little child, foe
whom the mother had prayed for strength
to be given TO speak tie truth ~ it was
before God, broke the cunning devices Of
matured villaiDy like a pottsr's vessel.
The strength that her mother prayed for
was given, and the sublime aud tsrribls
simplicity-terrible. mean 70 the pris-
oner and his associzte-with which che
spoke, was like revelation from God
himself.
A Cincinnati man caught in the bei:ing
and whirled around at the rate Of mile
in about two minutes, was rescued unin-
jured. When asked il he wasn't dread.