The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1883-07-20

"hiCu COulu Interpret well the law.
They knew him honest in intent,
And would not swerve from what he thou xht
In law. he knew no sentiment
Nor could his rulings e'er be bought.
It CHANGED one day there was arraign'd,
Before his court, a woman frail;
Some one against her had complained,
But none had heard her pitecus tale.
All clad in meagre shreds of woe,
She look the picture of despair;
Upon her cheek was seen glow
fush-that told her end was near.
The old judge slowly took his seat,
And turning to the lawyers, said:
81 would Of ye this morn entreat,
That cases brought be not delayed
Consume no time in long debate
Waste not your words in vain display
And thus you'll prove considerate,
For one who is not we'll o-day."
els this the woman p aueried he
"Who has her caser What's her offense
A tramp she seems-from whence came she ?
The woman Observation-Disclosures"
And pausing, looked in mute amaze,
Staring his honor full in face;
His eyes returned her curious gaze,
But statute.like, he sat in place.
"Chance, judge" continued she, "has brought
My wayward steps, long prone to stray,
| Before your honor and this court
0, that they'd stray'd some other way
Defense, o, judge, can't come from me,
For am what the world calls base;
A poor lost waif as you may seeo
A Theodore in disgrace
M dying, judge-behold my cheek
Deaths signet seal is grav d thereon;
| Though law may on me vengeance wreak,
It's rulings regard with scorn.
l long for rest which soon must come,
If portents can my end forelell;
| Though life be sweet-so sweet to some,
To ire tbs torture worse than HE'LL
A hacking cough her language drown'd-
| The judges eye-lids seem'd to fall,
As he beheld her wrap around
Her thin, scant form tattered shawl.
| Anon, when vioce its utt' france gained,
Her words were tremulous and weak
Their grating sound the audience pain'd
| AS she again essayed to speak.
II once was fair, Of promise bright,
Admired, courted and caressed
Society was my delight.
And I became its battered guest.
Vain fashions gay and votive throng,
My foolish whims would initiate
Obsequious beaux would list my songs,
And my accomplishments debate.
"My father loved his darling child.
While she for him warm love did bear
| Our home, like spring, was bland and mild,
No low ring clouds 'er gatherd there.
He hopd that she would grace his rame,
That yet no stain nor blemish wore:-
Alas poor man! his Iopes we're vain,-
His plant, no buds Of promise bore.
'This daughter whom he idolized,
Recreant to his wishes prov'd;
For lack of thought she sacrificed
| His hope-her peace, because she lov'd.
She lov'd not wisely, but too we'll
gaud she gain'd at fearful cost;
Through heedlessness, forsooth to tell,
She sorrows reap'd and station lost.
"Soon came tormenting troubles tread,
Her ideal from intemp' rance died;
She, in oontrition, bow'd her head,
| While thought its piercing barb applied.
And, OH too soon her sweet babe slept,
To wake no more on earth again
Beside its pauper grave she wept
! With aching heart and frenzied brain.
Immersed in grief, she ne or forgot
| Her father, whom she asked for aid;
His answers came: Il know you not
You have my mandates disobey'd."
In desperation's frantic mood,
| Again she wrote one bitter morn;
But he replied in language rude,
| You've spread your couch-repose thereon
"Harden'd she from that letter turn'd,
And soon became what you'll infer;
Her early teachings then she spurn'd,.
And 10 proud judge, behold her here
Behold the wreck that wrath has wrought
A blasted fiow'r upon its stem
Appeal she'll make to His high court,
| Who did not Magdslene condemn"
The lisfning lawyers forward rush'd,
AS they crimson current saw,
Ooze from the pallid lips, now hushd,
| To ope on earth again no more.
With gentle arms around her neck, a.
They sympsthized in kindly tone;
But breath was gone--no word she spoke q
l Her spirit from its cell had flown.
| A silent witness to the scene,
The old judge yet maintained his place
| No words he said, the soss between, -
No change was shown upon his face.
At length, attention to him turned
A hand was laid upon his head
A voice proclaimed --"This courts adjourn, d
The judge-his daughter--ho,h are dead r..