Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1857-10-03
Saba f}9 READING.
A Beautiful Little Story. !.


A Beautiful Little Story.
A few days since, in coming down the
North river, was seated in the cabin Of the
magnificent Steamer Isaac Newton, in con
versation with some friends 1t was be-
coming late in the evening, and one after
another seeking rcpose from the cares and
tolls of the day, made preparations to retire
to their berths. Some pulling off their
boots and coats, lay themselves down to
rest; others, in the attempt tomake it seem
as much like home as possible, threw off
more of their clothing-each one as their
comfort or apprehension of danger dictated
had noticed on deck fne looking boy,
of about six years of age, following around
man, evidently his father whose appear
auce indicated him to be foreigner, prob
ably German-a man Of medium height
and respectable dress. The child was un-
usually fair and fine looking, handsomely
featured, with an intelligent and affection
ate expression of countcnance and, from
under his German cap, fell chestnut hair
in thick, clustering curls.
After walking about the cabin for time,
the father and son stopped within few
feet of where we were seated, and began
preparations for going to bed | watched
him. The father adjusted and arranged
the bed the child was to occupy, which
was an upper berth, while the little fellow
was undressing himself Having finished
this, his father tied handkerchief around
his head to protect his cuAs, which looked
as if the sun light from his young, happy
heart always rested there. This done, i
looked for him to $" ,k his resting place; !;
but, instead of this he quietly llneelcd down
upon the floor, put his little bends togeth-
cr 50 beautifully, child-like and simple,
resting his arms on the lower bcrths, against
which he knclt, he began his vesper pray
er.
The father sat down by his side, and
waited the conclusion. 1t was for child,
a long prayer, but well understood. could
hear the murmuring of his sweet voice, but
could not distinguish the words he spoke
There were men around him-Christian
men retiring to rest without prayer; or, if
praying at all, kind Of mental desire for
protection, without sufficient courage or pi-
,ety to kueel down in steamboats, cabin,
and bcforestrangers, acknowledge the good
ness of God or ask his protecting love-
This was the training OF some pious moth
er. Where was She now2 Hsw many
times had her kind hand been laid on those
sunny locks, as she had taught him to lisp
his prayers?
A beautiful sight it was, that. child at
spraycrin the midst of the busy thoughtless
throng. He alone, of this worldly multi-
-itude, draws nigh to heaven. thank the
parental love that taught him to whisper
his evening prayer, whether Catholic or
Protestant, whether dead or living, whoth-
er far off or nigh. could scarce refrain
from weeping then, nor can now, as Il see
again thatsweet child, in the crowded tu
multi of "A steamboats, s cabin, bending III de
votion before his Maker.
But little while before | saw a GROVE
of admiripg listeners gathering about Z
company of Italian singers in the upper So
loon--a mother and her two sons Will
voice and harp and violin; but. no onG
needed, no one cared for tho child at pray
When 'theslittie- boy had finished his
evening devotion, he arose and kissed hi,
father most affcctonately, who ut him int
his berth to rest for the night. / felt ;
strong desire to speak tothem but deferred
it'll morning. When morning came, tn,
confusion of landing prevented me frou
seeing them again. But if ever / NEE
that boyin his happy youth, in his anxious
manhood in his declining years, I'll thanl
him for the influence and example of tha
nights devotion, and bless tlie.naIne of th,
mother that taught him.
Scirpely any passing iucident Of my iiE
ever made deeper impression on nlymind
went to my room and thanked God thai
L had witnessed it, and for its Influence Oh
my heart Who Prays5on a Steamboat
Who teach their clrldrcn to pray even at
home? M -
Fri 81, -gJ-~re 49, -s------
THE hypocrito pays tribute 70 God tba