The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-10-10
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 CONVEX
sation with some friends. 1t was becoming
late in the evening. 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
coat, lay themselves down to the rest: 9TH
crs, 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 appre
hcnson Of danger dictated
had noticed on deck fine looking bov
of about six years old. following around a
man. evidently his father. whose appearance
indicated him to be foreigner. probably a
Gcrman-a man of medium height and re-
spectacle appearance. The child was unusu-
ally fair and fine looking handsomely fca-
turcd. with an Intelligent and atFcctionatc
expression of countcrancc and from his Ger
man cap fell chestnut hair, in thick cluster
ing curlS
After walking about the cabin for while.
the father and son stopped within few feet
of where we were seated. and began prcpara-
tions for going to bed. I watched them
The father adjusted and arranged the bed the
child was to occupy. which was an upper
berth. while the little fellow un,lrcsscd HIM
self. Having finished this. his father tied
his handkerchief around his head to protect
his curl>. which looked as If the sunlight
from his Young. happy heart always rested
there. This done. | looked for him to seek
his resting p lace but. instead Of this. he
quietly kneclcd down upon the floor. put his
ltd" hands Together, beautifully childlike
and simple. resting his arms on the lower
berth against which he kncl'. he began his
vc>pcr prayer.
The father sat down by his side and wait
cd the conclusion. 1t Was fer chill. a long
PRAYER. but well understood. | could hear
the murmurng of his >wrc. voice. but could
not distinguish the words he spoke There
were men around him-ChriStian men. re-
firing to rest without sufficient courage or nj
ETY. to knecl down in steamboats, cabin. and
before strangers acknowledge the goodness
Of God or asking his protection.
This was the training of some piouS moth
cr. Where was she now? How many times
had her kind hand laid on the sunny locks. as
She taught him to lisp his praycr9
\ beautiful sight it was. that child at
prayer in the midst of the busy. thoushtle>s
throng. lie alone. of this worldly multitude.
draws nigh to Heaven. l thank the parental
love that taught him to lisp his evening
prayer. whether far or nigh. | could scarce
restrain from weeping then. or can now. as
| sec again that sweet child. in the crowded
tumult of a steamboat cabin, bending in de-
votion to his Maker.
But a little while before saw crowd of
admirinS listeners gather about company of
Italian singers in the upper saloon-a mother
and her two sons. with voice. and harp, and
violin but no one needed, no one cared for
the child at PRAYER.
When the child had finished his evening
devotion, he arose and kissed his father most
attectionatcly, who put him into his berth to
rest for the night. felt strong desire to
speak to them, but deferred it until morning.
When morning came, the confusion of land
ing prevented me from seeing them again.
But if ever | meet that boy again in his youth
i'll his declining years, I'll thank him for the
influence and example Of that nights devo-
ton, and bless the name of the mother who
taught him.
Scarcely any passing incident of my life
ever made deeper impression on my mind.
went to my room, and thanked God that
had witnessed it, and its infiue nee on nv
heart. Who prays on steam boat Who
teach their children to pray at home ?-Homc
JOurn0(