Page:Abraham Lincoln, A Story and a Play.djvu/77

 you have heard the case. We wait for your decision.

(The jury go out of the room, but return very shortly.)

(speaking to the jury),—Gentlemen of the jury, what is your decision?

(handing paper to the judge),—Guilty, or not guilty?

(reading the paper),—Not guilty! Release the prisoner at the bar.

(The crowd rises. Talking together and laughing, they leave the court-room.)

Hannah Armstrong, the boy's mother, enters by another door, shaking with excitement, and rushes towards Lincoln, after the jury have all shaken hands with her.

(tears running down his cheeks),—Hannah, what did I tell you? The boy is as free as I said that he should be, and I pray to God that he may be a good boy hereafter, and that this may prove in the end to be a good lesson to him and to others.

,—May God reward you as you deserve, Mr. Lincoln. You have a great heart, as well as a wise head. May you live to do great deeds for your country.