St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1857-10-22
Mistellanp.
A BEAUTIFUL STORY.

n DEAUIAFUL OIOh1.
y 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 after another, seek
ing reposc from the tolls and cares of
the day, made preparation to enter
their berths. Some, pulling off their
boots and coats, lay 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 apprchensions of danger
dictated.
had noticed on deck a fine looking
boy of about six years of age, follow
ing around man, evidently his father,
whose appearance indicated him to be
a foreigner, perhaps a German-a man
of medium height and respectable
dress. The child was unusually fair
and fine looking, handsomely featured,
with an intelligent and affectionatc
expression of countcnance and, from
under his German cap fell chestnut
hair, in thick. clustering curls.
After walking about the cabin for a
time, the father and son stopped with
in a few feet of where we were seated,
and began preparations for going to
bed. | watched him. The father ad-
iusted and arranged the bed the child
was to occupy, which was an upper
berth, while the little fellow was un-
dressing himself. Having finished
this, his father tied handkerchief
around his head to protect his curls,
which looked as if the sunlight from
his young happy heart always rested
there. This done, 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
beautifully, cliild-likc and simple, rest
ing his arms on the lower berth, against
which he knclt, he began his prayer.
The father sat down by his side, and
waited for the conclusion. 1t was, for
a child, long prayer, but well under
stood. | could hear the murmuring
of his sweet voice, but could not dis
tnguisE the words he spoke. There
were men around him-Chrstain men
retiring to rest, without prayer or
if praying at all, kind OF mental dc
| sire for protection, without sutfcicn
courage or picty to knecl down in ;
steamboats, cabin, and before strang
crs, acknowledge the goodness of God
or ask his protecting love.
This was the training of some pious
mother. Where was she now? How
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 prayer in the midst Of the busy
thoughtless throng He, alone, OF this
worldly multitude, draws nigh to heav
en-. | thank the parental love that
taught him to whisper his evening
prayer. whether dead or living, whcth
cr far off or nigh. | could scarce re
! irain from weeping then, nor can
now, as see again that sweet child
in the crowded tumult of a steamboat
/ cabin, bending in devotion before hi
Maker.
But IA little while before, l saw
crowd of admiring listeners gatherin:
about company of Italian singers II
the upper saloon-a mother and he
two sons, with voice and harp, am
violin but no one cared for the chil'
at prayer.
| When the little boy had finished hi
evening devotion, he arose and kisse
his father most atfIctionatcly, who pu
: him into his berth to rest for the nigh
: ! felt strong desire to speak to thcl
but deferred it till morning. Whe
morning came the confusion of LAM
ing prevented me from seeing thcl
again. But, if ever meet that DO
in his happy youth, in his anxious ma
hood, in his declining years, I'll than
!, him for the influence and example
that nights devotion, and bless II
: name Of the mother that taught him
Scarcely any passing incident
Z my life ever made u deeper impressie
4 on my mind. went to my room al
G thanked God that | had witnessed
l and for its influence on my heart. WI
II prays on a steamboat? Who tca'
: their children to pray even at home