The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-10-01
ABEAUTIFuL LITTLE STORY.

ABEAUTIFUL LITTLE STORY. =
A few WEEKS since, in coming down the
Nnrih River, was sra,ed in the cahin Of the
magnificent steamer Isaac Newton, in conver.
sation with some friends. II was becoming
late in the evening. and one after another,
seeking rePose from the rares and tolls of the
day, made preparations to retire 10 their berths
Some. pulling of boots and coats, lay them
selves down 10 resi-; others, in attempts to make
il seem as much like home as possible, threw
of more of their clothing-each one as his
comfort or apprehension nf,Ianser dictated. ~.
" had noticed on deck fine looking boy, Of
about six years ofage, following around man
evidently bis father, whose appearance indica.
ted him 10 be foreigner, probably a German
"a man Of medium height. and respectable
dress. The child was unusually fair and fine
looking, handsomely featured. with an intelli-
gent and affeclionaie expression Of counte.
nance; and from under bis German cap fell
chesnui hair, in thick clustering curls.
After walking abou, the cabin. for time
the father and son stopped within few feet'of
where we were seated, and hogan preparations
TOR going to he'd [ watched them. He ad.
justed and arranged the bed the child was 10 oc.
c,lpy. which was an upper berth, while The lit.
tie fellow. was undressing himself Having
finished this, his father tied handkerchief
around his head TO protect his curls, which look
ed as ifihe sunlight from his young happy hear,
always roasted there. This done, looked
for him to seek his resling place; but instead
ofthi.. h- quietly kneeled down upon the floor,
put his hands together. so beautifully child like
aud simple, resting his arms upon the lower
berth, against which be knelt, began his vesper
PRAYER.
The father sat down by hi. side; and awaited
the conclusion. 1t was, for a child, long
prayer, hut well understood. Icould hear the
murmuring Of his sweet voice, but could not
distinguished ,hewords he spoke. There were
men around him--Cbrislian men-reliring to
res, wi,hnu, prayer; or ifpraying at all, men.
tai desire for protect,on, without sufficient cour.
age or piety 10 kneel down in steamboats,
goodness Of God, or ask his protecting love.
This WAS the training of some pious mdher.
Where was she now! How many times had
her kind hand been laid on those sunny locks,
US she taught him to lisp his prayers?
i,eauifill sight il was, that child al prayer
in the midst Of the busy. thong ltless throng.
He alone. ofihis worldly multitude, draws nigh
10 heaven. thank the parental love that
taught him to lisp his evening prayer, whether
Catholic OF Prniesiant. whether dead or living.
whether Ear offor nigh. could scarce refrain
from weeping then, nor ran now, as | see
again, that sweet child in the The crowded lu.
multi ola Steamboat cabin, brndng in devotion
before bis Maker.
But little while hefi re, sas crowd Of
admiring listeners gathering about a company
of Italian singers in the upper sal"on--a moth.
er and two sons, with voice and harp and vic.
lin; but no one needed, 10 one cared for the
child'at prayer.
When the little boy had finished bis evening
devotion, he alose and kissed his father most
affacIionalely, who put bin into hi, berth to
rest E,r The night. fel, strong desire to
speak to them. but deferred il till morning.
When morning came. The confusion Of landing
prevented me from seeing them again. But,
ifever meet that hoy In his happy youth. in
his anxious manhood in his declining years III
hank him for the influence aud example of that
,her that tangh, him.
Scarcely any passing incident of my life ever
made deeper impression on my mind. ! went
t0 my room, and thanked God that | had wit.
messed il, and for its influence on my heart
Who prays on a steamboat! Who trains up
their children to pruy, even at home?
EE ~ Home Journal.