Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1857-10-08
A Beautiful Little story.

A few weeks since, in coming down
the North River, was seated in the ca
bin of the magnificent steamer, Isaac
Newton, in conversation with some
friends. 1t was becoming late in the
Ievening and one after 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
seem as much like home as possible,
threw off more of their clothing-each
one as their comfort or apprehension of
danger dictated. .-.-.-.... -
1 had noticed on deck fine looking
| boy of about six years Of age, followed
around man evidently his father,
whose appearance indicated him to be a
foreigner, probably a German-a man
of medium height and respectable dress.
The child was unusually fair and fine
looking, handsomely featured, with an
intelligent and affectionate expression
of countenance, and from under his
cap fell chestnut hair aud thick cluster
ing curls. ...
After walking about the cabin for a
time, the father and sen stopped within
a few feet of where we were seated, and
began preparations for going to bed.
watched them. 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 a handkerchief around his head, to
protect his curls, which looked as if the
sunlight from his young happy heart
always rested there. This done, 1 look
ed for him to seek his resting place; but
instead of this, he quietly kneeled down
upon the floor, put his little hands to-
gether, SO beautifully child like and
simple, resting his arms upon the lower
berth, against which he knelt, he began |
his vcsper prayer. The father sat down |
by his side, and waited the conclusion.
1t was, for child, long prayer, but
we'll understood. l could hear the
murm uring of his sweet voice, but could
not distinguish the words he spoke
There were men around-Christia men
retiring to rest without prayer; or if
praying at all, kind of mental desire
for protection, without sufficient cour-
age or piety to knccl down in the
steamboats, cabin, and before strangers,
the goodness of God, to
ask his protection and love.
This was the training of some pious
mother. Where was she now? How
many times had her kind hands been
aid on the sunny locks; as she had ,
aught him to lisp his evening prayer.
a beautiful sight it was, that child at
prayer, in the midst of the busy, thought
l. of ti,;,, xrn,l H., |
multitude, drawn nigh to heaven. l
hank the parental love that taught him
% lisp his evening prayer, whether Cath i
,lic, or Protestant, dead or living, afar
IF or nigh. could scarce refrain from :
Weeping then, nor can l now, as see $
lgain that sweet child, in the crowded ,
umult of the steamboats, cabin; bend =
ng in devotion before his Maker.
But little while before, L saw ,
,rowd of admiring listeners, gathering
bout company of Italian singers in
he upper saloon-a mother and two :
ons, with voice and harp and violin |
'ut no one needed, no one cared, for $
he little child at prayer. /
When the little boy had finished his $
vening devotions, he arose and kissed t
lis father most afectionately who put c
lin in his berth for the night. I felt |
trong desire to speak to them, but de 5
erred it till morning When morning @
anne the confusion of landing prevent f
d ME from seeing them again. But if s
yer l meet that boy in his happy youth. v
n his anxious manhood, in his declin-
ng years, I'll thank him for the inhu-
nee and example of that nights dcvo-
ion, and bless the name of the mother +
hat taught him. d
Scarcely any passing incident of my n
fe ever made deeper impression on my t
mind. went to my room and thanked S
iod that 1 had witnessed it, and for its
nfuencc on my heart Who prays on h
steamboat? Who teaci: their children Q
0 pray at home ?-Home Jovrnot Il
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