Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-11-23

since the death Of her husband She was
i full of painful anxiety, and was very often
famished for want of food. and endured
| great hardships Her only son had Just left
school, and was so unhappy at that state TO
which his mother was reduced, that he went
| about everywhere, seeing what he could do
for. her.
We must die Of hunger said be one day;
let me so to sea, perhaps may be able to
earn something for yoa'
His poor mother st last gave way 10 his
sntreaties, bpt it.eost great deal to let him
60, and almost broke her heart fhe young
boy went to the nearest seaport to see ii he
could get on board Of a merchant vessel =
He asked great many captains to take him,
but it was all in vain. After going from
one to another, weary and sad he thought
Of being burden to her, made hin desper,
ately miserable just then he thought he
saw a captain looking at him Johns(thas
was the boys name) went up to him direct
ly, aud said
Please, sir, don't you want a cabin boy.
I'm locking out for rone here, said the
oh, then, dear sir, do takesme.'
Show me your testimonials
No one knows me here, sir; if we're in
my own parish, could easily get some
i can't take boy into my ship without
any recommendation
oh, sir, III be SO ebedient; I'll do what
ever you bid me-
ooh that's well enough to say, my good
fellow but once for all, say I'll not have
boy without his certificates
Poor John thought moment, and looked
about him with great sadness Suddenly
be recollected he had got his Bible He
took il out of his pocket, and showed the cap
tain what was written Gu the first page.
Well, my boy I'll take you on that re.
commentator. Follow me quick TO my
ship
John is now on board, on his way to ST.
Petersburg. Aftey few days, violent
confusion and alarm, John took out Bis BIZ
Bile, aud read the list Pslam aloud to them.
He then keelt down, and earnestly prayed
to God to make the storm cease, and 70 save
them from its eury One by one, tho
sailors, and even the captain, fell on their
knees and prayed with him, II pleased God
to hear their prayer; the wind ceased, and
the ship went on her way in safety !
1T was happy for me when | decided to
take you; my boy said the captain. AS.
soon as we reach St Petersburg, you shall
have day on shore, for your prayers have
saved the ship.
He kept his promise, and the boy employ,
ed his holiday in going all over that large.
and beautiful CITY He stopped IN front 81
the Emperor's palace, and stood still. adml-
ring all the magnificent carriages which we're
passing to and fro While thus employed,
be saw something fall cut Of one Of them
He picked it3up it was beautiful diamond
bracelet. He ran after the carriage, and
called out to the coachman to stop, but it
was useless. The carriage was soon cut Of
sight John went back directly to the cap
tain. and showed him what he had found.
sYoure.a lucky fellow, John: these are
very valuable diamonds
But they are not mine, answered John.
where did you find them =
They fell out close TO me ! picked them
| mn and ran after the carriage, but the coach
man drove on, and neither s1w nor heard
me
Well. John, yoa aid all Jon could do to
| give them back TO their owner; and they are
yours, You can sell them in London, and get
q great deal Of money for them. :
+. But John was too honest 70 be caught b
the bait.
NO. no., Captain, the sdiamonds are mol
mine. If we had storm in returning tc
England, | could not pray to the Lsrd
With sueh. dishonest inteutionsi 10 my heart
and what would become OF US thenl
+ An. had not thought Of that said th'
kcautain. who only wanted Il tgy him, Gene
WELT try ana lad the ewnef
4 He was soon discovered and John feceis
ed ESQ as a reward 70 his hote.IJ A in
Hense sum for bin At 10 CaplAin's ca
vice. BE laid, it out IN furs, which he sfteT
wards sold in England for double theRrie
they had cost him. With this little f0rsuRf
and light, joyous heart. he began bis jors
ney home He saw the cottage where b
/ had left his poor mother but the path ~
all grown ever withgrass, the Eindews yer
shut up, the house was empty Poor ~
was almost broken hearted. Doubtless b
thought my poor mother died Of want an
misery But he Just recognized one Of tn
! neighbors. who ran up to him, and told hi
: his mother was still living. and was vel
though in the simshouse With what d
light to take care Of her, and TO support he
with bis labor.
Now. dear children, It vas the Bible tb:
7 made John an honest, faithful and INTEL
gent youtL--that gave bin the kHesiede
] Of Christ--that led him to he SAVIOR,
: whose spirit his heart was changed, and !
: became the JOY ef his mothers heart, ana
blessing tosthe world
n
L. 81