The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1899-10-05

so srtless and frank, that II went straight
to the heart.
Ibid you ever take an oathf" inquired
the judge. The little girl stepped back
with look Of horror, and the red blood
mantled in q blush all over her face and
neck a. she answered.
"No sir"
She thought he intended to inquire IL
she has ever blssphemed.
81 do not mean that" said the judge,
who saw her mistake. II mean we're you
ever a witLess beforeY'
"No, sir: | 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, "ies'
sir; il is the Bible"
ado YOU ever read III" be asked.
"Yes, sir; every evening"
"Can YOU tell me what the Bible isl
inquired the judge.
alt is the Word Of the great Cod" she
answered.
"Tell place your hand upon this Bible,
and listen to what say" and he repeated
slowly and solemnly the oath usually adj
ministered to witnesses.
"Now." said the judge, "you have sworn
as witness, will you tell me what will
befall -ou il YOU do not tell the TRUTH"
"Ishall lie shut up in the State prison,
answered the child.
Anything elsc?" asked the judge.
81 shsllnevergo to heaven" she replied.
GLOW do YOU know tbis?" asked the
Judge.
The child took the Bible, and, turning
rapidly to the chapter containing the COM
mandments, pointed to the injunction
"Tbou shalt not bear false witness against
thv peichbor." II learned that before !
learned to read"
Has any one talked with you about be-
ing a witness here against this MANI in
quired the judge.
ayes, sir" she replied. any mother
heard they wanted me to be witness and
last night abe called me to her room, and
asked me TO tell her the Ten Command
ments; and then we kneeled down tosefh-
er, and she prayed that ] might under
stand how wicked il was 10 bear false
witness against my neighbOr, and that
God would help me "a little child, to tell
the truth as it was, before Him. And
when | came up here with father. she
kissed me, and told me to remember the
Ninth Commandment, and that God would
hear every wor! that said"
"Do you believe thisr asked the Judge
while tear gli-teued in bis eye, and his
lip quiyered with emotion.
eyes, SIR" said she child with a voice
and manner that showed her conviction Of
its truth was perfect.
"God bless you, nv child" said the
Judge "you have q good mother. Tins
witness is competent" be continued
"were on trial for my life and innocent
of TIE charge against me, ! would pray
God for such witnesses. Let her be
examined.
She told her story with the simplicity OF
child a. she was but there was a direct
ness about it which carried conviction OF
its truth to every heart. She was rigidly
cross examined The counsel piled her
with infinite and ingenious questioning
but she varied from her first statement in
nothing. The truth, as spoken by little
child, was sublime. falsehood and per-
Jury had preceded her testimony. The
prisoner had ntrenched himself in lies,
which he deemed impregnable. Witnesses
had falsilied facts in his favor, and villainy
had manufactured for him sham defence.
But before her testimony, falsehood was
scattered like chat. The little child for
whom mother had prayed for strength TO
be given to her to speak the truth as it
was before God. broke the cunning devices
of matured villisny to pieces like a pot
ler's vessel. The strength that her
mother PRAYED for was given her, and the
sublime and terribly simplicity-terrible
mean to the prisoner and his associates
with which she spoke, was like revel-
alton from God Himself.