court, and offered as
a witness against a prisoner who was on trial for a crime committed in her
father's house.

2. "Now, Emily," said the counsel for the prisoner, "I wish to know if you
understand the nature of an oath?"

3. "I don't know what you mean," was the simple answer.

4. "Your Honor," said the counsel, addressing the judge, "it is evident
that this witness should be rejected. She does not understand the nature
of an oath."

5. "Let us see," said the judge. "Come here, my daughter."

6. Assured by the kind tone and manner of the judge, the child stepped
toward him, and looked confidingly in his face, with a calm, clear eye,
and in a manner so artless and frank that it went straight to the heart.

7. "Did you ever take an oath?" inquired the judge.

8. The little girl stepped back with a look of horror; and the red blood
rose and spread in a blush all over her face and neck, as she answered,
"No, sir." She thought he intended to ask if she had ever used profane
language.

9. "I do not mean that," said the judge, who saw her mistake; "I mean were
you ever a witness?"

10. "No, sir; I never was in court before," was the answer.

11. He handed her the Bible open. "Do you know that book, my daughter?"

12. She looked at it and answered, "Yes, sir; it is the Bible."

13. "Do you ever read in it?" he asked.

14. "Yes, sir; every evening."

15. "Can you tell me what the Bible is?" inquired the judge.

16. "It is the word of the great God," she answered.

17. "Well," said the judge, "place your hand upon this Bible, and listen
to what I say;" and he repeated slowly and solemnly the following oath:
"Do you swear that in the evidence which you shall give in this case, you
will tell the truth, and nothing but the truth; and that you will ask God
to help you?"

18. "I do," she replied.

19. "Now," said the judge, "you have been sworn as a witness; will you
tell me what will befall you if you do not tell the truth?"

20. "I shall be shut up in the state prison," answered the child.

21. "Anything else?" asked the judge.

22. "I shall never go to heaven," she replied.

23. "How do you know this?" asked the judge again.

24. The child took the Bible, turned rapidly to the chapter containing the
commandments, and, pointing to the one which reads, "Thou shalt not bear
false witness against thy neighbor," said, "I learned that before I could
read."

25. "Has anyone talked with you about being a w