' Then I dishonestly kept the money.
"Again the same thing happened, and again I kept the money that did not
belong to me. This was the beginning of evil, and here I am. If he had
shown any mercy to me, I might have kept silent and made no defense."
The young man covered his face with his hands, and sat down overpowered
with his feelings. His mother who was near him, sobbed aloud, and
bending over, laid her hands on his head. "My poor boy! my poor boy!"
she murmured.
There were few undimmed eyes in the court-room. In the silence that
followed, Mr. Carman exclaimed:--
"Is my character to be thus blasted on the word of a criminal, your
honor? Is this right?"
"Your solemn oath that this charge is untrue," said the judge, "will
clear your reputation in the eyes of the people."
[Illustration: "_Let him take his oath if he dare!_"]
At these words, James Lewis stood up again instantly. It was the unhappy
boy's only opportunity, and the court felt bound in humanity to hear
him. Turning his eyes upon Mr. Carman, he exclaimed:--
"Let him take his oath if he dare!"
Mr. Carman consulted with his counsel, and withdrew.
The judge then arose to pass sentence.
"In consideration of your youth, and the temptation to which in tender
years you were subjected, the court gives you the lightest
sentence,--one year's imprisonment.
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