Christmas with Grandma Elsie by Martha Finley

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"Papa, I have re-written that composition and hope you will find it a
great deal better, I have studied my lessons too, till I think I can
recite them creditably."

"Ah, that is well," he said, laying a hand tenderly on her head and
smiling affectionately down into the eyes upraised to his. "I will go
with you presently to hear the lessons and examine your little essay."

When he had done so, "I am very glad indeed, daughter," he said, "to be
able to bestow hearty praise on you this time; you have greatly improved
your composition, and your recitations were quite perfect."

He drew her to his knee as he spoke, she blushing with pleasure at his
words.

"I missed my eldest daughter, from the family circle this evening," he
went on smoothing her hair caressingly; "indeed I think we all missed
her. I hope we will not be deprived of her company in the same way
again."

"I hope not, papa; I do mean to be more faithful in preparing my
lessons. I'm sure I ought when I have such a kind, kind teacher," she
added looking lovingly into his eyes. "Dear papa," putting her arm round
his neck and laying her cheek to his, "I do love you so, _so_ much!"

"My darling," he responded, "your love is very precious to me, and I
don't think it can be greater than mine for you. My daughter's worth to
her fond father--could not be computed in dollars and cents," he added
with a happy laugh.

"I hope Grandma Elsie found your sewing well done?"

"Not so very, papa," she replied, her tone expressing some
mortification; "she said it was not so nicely done as the last."

"That is a pity; it will hardly do to keep on so--going backward instead
of forward as regards improvement in that line of work."

"No, papa, I don't mean to; I didn't bring home quite so much this time,
though some of the girls did look as if they thought I was growing
lazy--and it was dreadfully mortifying to have them think so--and I'm
going to try Eva's plan. She says she divides her work into as many
portions as there are days to do it in, and won't let herself miss doing
at least one portion each day. She says she gets it done quite easily in
that way, often finished before the day when it is to be handed in."

"But it can't be that she puts it off for story-reading, games and what
not?"

"No, sir; and I don't mean to any more. I'll put that sewing first after
what you say are more important duties, and not let myself have any play
till it's done. I think I can 'most always do it before breakfast, now
that you don't require me to sweep or dust my own rooms. I'm very much
obliged to you, papa, for saying I needn't do those things any more
while I have so many lessons."

"I want my daughters to understand all kinds of housework so that
they may be competent to direct servants, if they have them, or be
independent of them if they have not," he said; "but now that you have
learned how to sweep and dust, I do not think it necessary for you to
make use of that knowledge while your time can be better employed, and I
am able to pay a servant for doing the work."

CHAPTER XIX.

One morning at breakfast, Max asked, "Papa, have you told Lu yet?"

"No," replied the captain, "I wished her to eat her meal first in peace
and comfort; therefore I am sorry you spoke, as I see you have roused
her curiosity."

"Yes, papa; mayn't I know what you are talking about?" asked Lulu,
giving him a disturbed, rather apprehensive look. "Oh does the court
meet to-day?"

"It's been meeting for several days," returned Max, "and the trial of
our burglars comes up to-day."

"And we'll have to attend as witnesses?"

"Yes; but you needn't be alarmed; you ought to be quite used to it since
your experience in the magistrate's office," answered Max sportively.

"I don't think I'd ever get used to it, and I just wish there was some
way to keep out of it!" sighed Lulu.

"But as there isn't, my little girl will make up her mind to go through
with it bravely," the captain said, giving her an encouraging smile.

"I'll try, papa," she answered, but with a sigh that sounded rather
hopeless.

Violet and Grace both expressed their sympathy, but were sure Lulu would
do herself credit, as she had on the former occasion.

Lulu brightened a little and went on with her meal. "How soon do we have
to go papa?" she asked.

"In about half an hour after breakfast," he answered. "That will take us
to the town for the opening of to-day's session of the court. We may not
be called on for our testimony for hours, but must be at hand in case we
are wanted."

Lulu wasted no more breath in vain wishes or objections, but her usual
flow of spirits had deserted her. As they drove toward the town her
father noticed that she was very quiet and that her face wore a look of
patient resignation and fortitude as if she had made up her mind to go
courageously through a difficult and trying ordeal.

"Don't be anxious and troubled, dear child," he said, taking her hand
and pressing it affectionately in his; "you are not going alone into
that crowded court room."

"No, papa; and I'm ever so glad you will be with me."

"And not only I, dear, but a nearer, dearer, more powerful Friend. Jesus
says, 'Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the World.' He
says it to every one of his disciples, and that always must include this
time that you are dreading.

"He will be close beside you and you can ask him at any instant for the
help you need to know exactly what to say and do; the help to be calm
and collected, and to answer clearly and perfectly truthfully every
question put to you."

"Papa, it's so nice to think of that!" she exclaimed, looking up
brightly and with glad tears shinning in her eyes; "thank you so very
much for reminding me of it. Now I shall not be at all afraid, even if
the lawyers do ask me hard, puzzling questions, as I've read in the
papers, that they do to witnesses, sometimes."

"No, you need not be afraid; I am not afraid for you; for I am sure you
will be helped to say just what you ought; and if--as I believe will
happen--you are enabled to acquit yourself well, remember, when people
commend you for it, that having done so by help from on high, the honor
is not fairly due to you, and you have no reason to be conceited and
vain in consequence."

"I hope I'll be kept from being that, papa," she returned. "I don't
think that for anybody with as good a memory as mine, having told a
straightforward truthful story is anything to be puffed up about."

"No, certainly not."

The wealth and standing in the community of Captain Raymond and his
wife's relatives; caused a widespread interest in the case about to be
tried; especially in connection with the fact that he and two of his
children were to be placed upon the witness stand to testify to the
identity of the burglars and their attempt to rob his house.

The Court House was crowded, and there were very many of the better
class of people among the spectators, including members of the families
residing at the Oaks, the Laurels, the Pines, Ion, Fairview and
Roselands.

Dr. Conly, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Travilla and Mr. Leland were there when
the Woodburn party arrived; and presently Grandpa Dinsmore and his wife,
and Cousin Ronald, who was still staying at Ion, followed.

These all sat near together, and Lulu felt it a comfort to find herself
in the midst of such a company of friends.

Greetings were exchanged, some kind, encouraging words spoken to her and
Max, then their father and the other gentlemen fell into conversation.

The children had never been in a court-room before, and were interested
in looking about and observing what was going on. They were early; in
season to see the judges come in and take their seats on the bench, and
the opening of the court.

Some lesser matters occupied its attention for a time, then there was a
little stir of excitement in the crowd as the sheriff and his deputy
entered with Ajax and his fellow burglar, but it quieted down in a
moment as the prisoners took their places at the bar, and the voice of
the presiding judge sounded distinctly through the room, "Commonwealth
against Perry Davis and Ajax Stone. Burglary. Are you ready for trial?"

"We are, your Honor," replied the district attorney.

"Very well," said the judge, "arraign the prisoners."

Then the two prisoners were told to stand up while the district attorney
read the indictment, which charged them with "burglariously breaking and
entering into the mansion-house of Captain Raymond of Woodburn, on the
second day of January last passed," and while there attempting to break
into and rob his safe and to carry off articles of value from other
parts of the dwelling.

The court-room was very quiet during the reading of the indictment, so
that Max and Lulu who were listening intently, heard every word.

Lulu looked her astonishment when the prisoners pleaded, "Not guilty."

"Why they _are_! and they know they are!" she whispered to Max.

"Of course," he returned in the same low key, "but do you suppose men
who break into houses to steal, will hesitate to lie?"

"Oh no, to be sure not! How silly I am!"

The next thing was the selecting of jurors; a rather tedious business,
taking up all the rest of the time till the court adjourned for the noon
recess.

That was a rest for Max and Lulu. Their father took them to a hotel for
lunch, they chatted a while in its parlor, after satisfying their
appetites, then returned to the court-room in season for the opening of
the afternoon session.

The district attorney made the opening address, giving an outline of the
evidence he expected to bring forward to prove the prisoners' guilt.
Then Lulu was called to the witness stand.

She rose at once and turned to her father, looking a trifle pale, but
quite calm and collected.

He took her hand and led her to the little railed platform. She stepped
upon it and he stood near to encourage her by his presence.

"You are very young, my child," the judge said in a kindly tone, "What
do you know of the nature of an oath?"

"I know, sir, that it is a very solemn promise in the presence of the
great God, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth."

"And what will happen to you if you fail to do so, my dear?"

"God will know it, and be angry with me; for he hates lying and has
said, 'All liars shall have their part in the lake that burneth with
fire and brimstone!'"

Lulu's answers were given in a low, but very distinct tone and in the
almost breathless silence were quite audible in every part of the large
room.

"Administer the oath to her," said the judge addressing the clerk of the
court, "she is more competent to take it than many an older person."

When she had done so, "What is your name?" asked the district attorney.

"Lucilla Raymond."

"You are the daughter of Capt. Levis Raymond late of United States
Navy?"

"Yes, sir, his eldest daughter."

"How old are you?"

"I was twelve on my last birthday; last summer."

"Look at the prisoners. Did you ever see them before?"

"Yes, sir."

"When and where?"

"The colored man has lived in our family, and I saw him every day for
months."

"And the white man?"

"I have seen him three times before to-day; first on the second day of
last January, when my brother and I were riding home through the bit of
wood on my father's estate. That man was leaning against a tree and my
pony nearly stepped on him before I knew he was there, and he seized her
bridle and said fiercely, 'Look out there and don't ride a fellow
down!'"

"And what did you answer?"

"Let go of my bridle this instant and get out of the path!"

"Plucky!" laughed some one in the audience.

"What happened next?" asked the lawyer, and Lulu went on to tell the
whole story of the adventure in the wood.

"That, you have told us, was your first sight of the prisoner calling
himself Perry Davis, when did you see him next? and where?"

"That night, in what we call the strong room where papa's safe is."

She was bidden to tell the whole of that story also, and did so in the
same clear, straightforward manner in which she had told it in the
magistrate's office, told it simply, artlessly--as not aware of the
bravery and unselfishness of her conduct in attempting the capture of
the burglars at the risk of being attacked and murdered by them--and in
the same calm, even, distinct tones in which she had spoken at first.

A murmur of admiration ran through the court-room as she concluded her
narrative with, "Papa was asleep and I couldn't speak just at first for
want of breath; but when I put my arm round his neck and laid my face on
the pillow beside his, he woke and I told him about the burglars and
what I had done."

The prisoners had listened with close attention and evident interest.

"So 'twas her--that chit of a gal, that fastened us in--caught us in a
trap, as one may say," muttered Davis, scowling at her and grinding his
teeth with rage. "Pity I didn't hold on to that ere bridle and kerry her
off afore we ventur'd in thar."

A warning look from his counsel silenced him, and the latter addressed
himself to Lulu.

"You say you had seen Davis three times before to-day. Where and when
did you see him the third time?"

"In the magistrate's office, the next morning after he and Ajax had been
in our house."

"Did you then recognize them as the same men you had seen in the strong
room of your home the night before at work at the lock of the safe?"

"Yes, sir; and Davis as the man who had seized my pony's bridle in the
wood."

"But you had not seen Ajax Stone's face; how then could you recognize
him?"

"No, I had not seen his face, but I had the back of his head and how he
was dressed, and I knew I had fastened him in there, and that he didn't
get out till the sheriff took him out; and then I heard his voice and
knew it was Ajax's voice."

The cross-questioning went on. It was what Lulu had dreaded, but it did
not seem to embarrass or disturb her; nor could she be made to
contradict herself.

Her father's eyes shone; he looked a proud and happy man as he led her
back to her seat, holding her hand in a tender, loving clasp.

She was surprised and pleased to find Grandma Elsie and Violet sitting
with the other relatives and friends. They had come in while she was on
the witness stand.

"Dear child," Violet said, making room for her by her side, "you went
through your ordeal very successfully, and I am very glad for your sake,
that it is over."

"Yes, my dear, we are all proud of you," added Grandma Elsie, smiling
kindly upon the little girl.

But there was not time for anything more.

"Max Raymond," some one called.

"Here, sir," replied the lad, rising.

"Take the witness stand."

"Go, my son, and let us see how well you can acquit yourself," the
captain said in an encouraging tone, and Max obeyed.

He conducted himself quite to his father's satisfaction, behaving in a
very manly way, and giving his testimony in the same clear, distinct
tones and straightforward manner that had been admired in his sister.
But having much less to tell, he was not kept nearly so long upon the
stand.

There were other witnesses for the prosecution, one of whom was Capt.
Raymond himself.

He testified that the burglars had evidently entered the house through a
window, by prying open a shutter, removing a pane of glass, then
reaching in and turning the catch over the lower sash.

When the evidence on that side had all been heard, the counsel for the
accused opened the case for the defense.

He was an able and eloquent lawyer, but his clients had already
established an unenviable reputation for themselves, and the weight of
the evidence against them was too strong for rebuttal. Their conviction
was a foregone conclusion in his mind, and that of almost every one
present, even before he began his speech.

He had but few witnesses to bring forward, and their testimony was
unimportant and availed nothing as disproof of that given by those for
the prosecution.

After the lawyers on both sides had addressed the jury, and the judge
had delivered his charge to them, they retired to consider their
verdict.

In a few moments they returned and resumed their seats in the jury box.
They found both the accused guilty of burglary, and the trial was over.

"Is it quite finished, papa?" Lulu asked as they were driving toward
home again.

"What, my child? the trial? Yes; there will be no more of it."

"I'm so glad," she exclaimed with a sigh of relief. "You said they would
have to go to the penitentiary if they were found guilty; and the jury
said they were; how long will they have to stay there?"

"I don't know; they have not been sentenced yet; but it will be for some
years."

"I'm sorry for them. I wish they hadn't been so wicked."

"So do I."

"And that I hadn't had to testify against them. I can't help feeling as
though it was unkind, and that their friends have a right to hate me for
it."

"No, not at all. It was a duty you owed the community (because to allow
criminals to go unpunished would make honest people unsafe), and indeed
to the men themselves; as being brought to justice may prove the means
of their reformation. So set your mind at rest about it, my darling; try
to forget the whole unpleasant affair, and be happy in the enjoyment of
your many blessings."

"There's one thing that helps to make my conscience perfectly easy on
the score of having testified against them," remarked Max, "and that is
I couldn't help myself, but had to obey the law."

"True enough," rejoined his father. "And Lulu was no more a free agent
than yourself."

"No, sir; but she did more to catch the rogues than anybody else," Max
went on, giving her a merry, laughing glance. "Don't you wish, sis, that
you had let them go on and help themselves to all they wanted, and then
leave without being molested?"

"No, I don't," she answered with spirit. "I wouldn't want papa to lose
his money, or Mamma Vi her jewels. Beside they might have gone upstairs
and hurt some of us."

"We are all much obliged to you, Lulu dear," Violet remarked, looking
affectionately at the little girl. "How brave and unselfish you were!
That burglary following so immediately upon the festivities of our
delightful Christmas holidays, seemed a most trying and unfortunate
afterclap; but we will hope for better things next time."

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