A Day of Reckoning

     One day a young lawyer was riding on his horse to his office.  He was enjoying the quiet of the summer morning when he heard a loud noise approaching from behind.  He turned and saw a runaway carriage with no one in it as it rushed past.  He spurred his horse and in a short time was racing along side.  He reached over to the handrail and pulled himself into the drivers seat.  After much difficulty, he reached down, grasped  the fallen reins, and pulled  the frightened horses to a halt.  It was only then that he heard the crying of a baby.  He jumped down, opened the door, and saw a newborn baby lying on the floor.  He thought he was only stopping a runaway coach.  Instead, he saved the life of a little boy.

     Twenty years passed and this young lawyer was now a respected judge.  One day an accused murderer was brought before him.  When the man's name was announced, the judge recognized it as that of the baby whose life he had saved many years before.  The young man also recognized the judge.

     Through the course of the trial, it became clear that the young man was guilty.  On the final day, the judge gave his decision and sentenced the young man to death.  The young man was asked if he had anything he wished to say.  The young man acknowledged his crime and then lamented of the inconsistency of how the judge had once saved his life and now he was taking it away.

     The judge thought for a moment and then said in a solemn, kindly tone, "Young man, twenty years ago I saved your life.  I remember it as though it was yesterday.  Yesterday I was your savior.  But today I am your judge!"

              -- Author Unknown