Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-09-04
a BEAUTIFUL LITTLE STORY.


"A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE STORY.
A few weeks since, in coming down the
North River, was seated in the cabin Of
the, magnificent steamer Isaac Newton, in
conversation with some friends, 1t was
becoming late in the evening, and one af
ter another, seeking repose from the cares
and tolls of the day, made preparations TO
retire to their berths. Some, pulling off
their boots and coats, laying themselves
down to rest; others, in the attempt to
make it feel as much like home as rossi.
bic, threw off more Of their clothing
each one as his comfort or apprehension
of danger dictated. ...-
! had noticed on deck fine looking
boy, of about six years of age, following
around a man, evidently his father, whose
appearance indicated him to be foreign
er, probably a German-a man of medi
um height and respectable dress. The
child was unusually fair and 6ne- looking,
handsomely featured, with an intelligent
and affectionate expression of cuuntc~
nance; and from under his German cap
fell chestnut. hair, and thick, clustering
cuFls.r ..-
After walking about the cabin for 4
time, the father and son stopped within IL
few feet ofwhere we were seated, and
began preparations for going to bed
l watched them. The father adjusted
and arranged the bed the child was to oc
cupy. which was an upper berth, while
the little fellaw was undressing himself
Having finished this, his father lied a
handkerchief around his head, to protect
his curls, which looked as if the sunlight
from his young. happy heart, always rest
ed there. This done, 1 looked for him to
seek his resting place; but instead Of this.
he quietly kneeled down upon the floor,
put his little hands together, so beautiful
ly Child-liko and simple, resting his arms
upon the lower berth, against which he
knelt. he began his vesper prayer.
The father sat down by his side, and
waited the conclusion. 1t was, for a
child. a long prayer. but we'll understood
1 could hear the muymuring of his sweet
voice, but could not distinguish the " ords
he spoke. There were men around him
christian men retiring to rest without
prayer; or if praying at all, a kind of men
tai desire for protection, without sufli
cient courage or piety to kneel down in
the steamboats, cabin, and before stran-
gers, acknowledge the goodness of God,
to ask his protection and love.
This was the training of some pious
mother. Whero was she now How
many times had her kind hand been laid
on the sunny locks. as she he taught him
to lisp his prayers
A beautiful sight it was, that child at
less throng. He, alone, of this worldly
A. \ :o.l |.
the parental love that taught him to lisp
his evening prayer, whether Catholic or
Protestant, dead or living, whether far
off or nigh: 1 could scarce refrain from
weeping then; nor can now, as | see
again that sweet child. in the crowded
tumultsofthe steam boats cabin, bending
in devotion before his Maker. ....s cd ID
But little while before, saw crowd
Of admiriug listners gathering about Il
company of Italian singers in the upper
saloOn--a mother and two sons, with
voice. and harp. and violin, but no one
needed, no one cared for the little Child
at prayer.
When the little boy had finished his
evening devotion, he arose and kissed his
father most dffectionately, who put him in
his berth to rest for the right. felt a
strong qesire 10 speak to them, but de-
terred it till morning. When morning
came, the confusion of landing prevented
me from seeing them again. But. if ever
/ meet that boy in his happy youth. in his
anxious Manhood. in his declining years,
I'll thank him for the influence and ex.
ample of that nights devotion. and bless
the name of the mother who taught him.
Scarcely any passing incident of my
life ever made a deeper impression on my
mind. went to my room and thanked God
that had witnessed it, and for its -influ-
ence on my heart. Who -prays on a
steamboat? Who teach their children
to pray at home ?-Home Journal.