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

And would not swerve from what he thou Sht
In law. he knew no sentiment,
Nor could his rulings eer be bought.
1t chanced one day there was arraign'd,
Before his court, n 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
fiush-that told her end was near.
The old judge slowly took his seat,
And turning to the lawyers, said
al 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 to-day"
"Is this the woman p queried he
"Who has her case? What's her offense
A tramp she secms-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 hayward steps, long prone to stray,
Before your honor and this court
o, that they'd stray'd some other way!
Defense, o, judge, can't come from me,
For | am what the world calls base;
poor lost waif as you may seeD
A Theodore in disgrace!
"P dying judge-behold my check
Deaths signet seal is grav'd thereon;
Though law may Oh me vengeance wreak,
Its rulings | regard with scorn.
l long for rest which soon must come,
If portcnts can my end forelell;
Though life be sweet-so sweet to some,
To ire it's torture worse than hell
a hacking cough her language drown'd-
The judges eye-lids seemd to fall
As he beheld her wrap around
Her thin, scant form n tattered shawl.
Anon, when vioce its utt rance 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 became its tattered guest.
Vain fashions gay and votive throng,
Ny 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 e'er gatherd there.
He hop'd that she would grace his rame,
That yet no stain nor blemish wore:-
| Alas poor man! his hopes were 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 low 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 contrition, how'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 er 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 Il 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 how'r upon its stem
| Appeal she'll make to His high court.
Who did not Magdalene condemn"
The list ming lawyers forward rush'd,
AS they q crimson current saw,
Ooze from the pallid lips, now hush'd,
To ope OH earth again no more.
| With gentle arms around her neck,
They sympathized in kindly tone
| But breath was gone-no word she spoke
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 acts between,-
No change was shown upon his face.
Al length, attention to him turned
A hand was laid upon his head
A voice proclaimed This courts ad ourn d
bo inIoa b;o both n arn dool