Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-07-10
a Child Of PRAYER


\ few weeks since, in coming down the
North River | was seated in the cabin Of the
magnificent steamer Isaac Newton in CON
vcrsation with some friends 1t was becom-
ing late in the evening, and one after anoth-
er, seeking rcpoSc from the cares and tolls Of
the day made preparation to retire to their
bcrths. Some pulling Oh their boots and
coats lay themselves down TO rest others i'm
the attempt to make it seem as much as pos
sihc like home, threw Off more of their cloth
ins-cach one as his comfort or apprehension
of danger dictated.
had noticed on deck fne-loolinr little
boy fabout six years old following around a
man evidently his father, whose appearance
indicated him to bo n foreigner probably a
Gcrman--a man of medium height and res
pcctab'2 dress. The child was unusually
fair and hnc-looking, handsomely featured,
with an intelligent and ailcctonntc, exprcs-
sion Of countcuancc; and from under his lit
tie German cap fell his chestnut hair, in thick
clustering, bacutifUl curls.
After walking about tue cabin for n time
the father and son stopped within few feet
Of where we were seated and began prc0ar-
The father adjusted and arranged the bed
the child was TO occapy which was an upper
berth. while the little fellow was undressing
himself Having finished this, his athcr ticl
handkerchief around his head to protect his
curls, which looked rs if the sunlight from
his young happy heart always rested there.
This done | looked for him to seek his rest
ing plnco but instead Of this he quietly
kncclcd down on the toor put up his little
hands together so beautifully childikc and
simple, aud resting his arms on the lower
berth against which he knelt he began his
vcspcr prayers.
The father sat down by his side and waited
the conclusion 1t was ior a child long
prayer, but wcl understood. could hear
tie murmuring OF his sweet voice but could
not distinguish the words he spoke But
what 4 scene! There were men around him:
Christian mCn--retiring to rcst without pray
cr; or if praying at ali, u kind of fmental g.
sire for protection, without sufficient courage
or piety to knoel down in a steamboats, cabin,
and before strangers acknowledge the good
ness of God or ask his protecting love.
This was the training ofsomc pious moth
or. Where was Shenow? How many times
had her kind hand been laid on those sunny
locks, rs she had taught him to lisp his pray
crs
"A beautiful sightit was, that child at pray
or in the midst of the busy, thoughtless
throng. He, alone, of the worldly multitude
draws nigh to heaven | thank the parental
love that taught him 10 lisp his evening pray
or whether Catholic or Protestant whether
dead or living, whether far OF or nigh. II
did ne good; it made me better. could
scarce refrain fro'n weeping then nor can
now as sec again that sweet child in the
crowded tumult Of n steamboats, cabin, bend
iugdcvotion before his Maker.
Bat II little whilc before, | saw crowd of
admiring listeners gathering about;l compa-
ny of Italian singers, in the upper saloon-a
mother and two sons with voice, the harp,
and yiulin; but no one needed, no one cared
for the child at prayer.
When the little boy had finished his even
ing devotion he arose. and kissed his father
ahectionately, who put him in his berth to
rest for the night. | felt strong desire to
speak to them but deferred it till morning.
Whom morning came, the confusion of land
ing prevented me from seeing them again.
But If ever | meet that boy in his happy
youth in his anxious manhood, in his dcciin-
ing years I'll thank him for the influence
and example of that nights devotion, and
bless the name Of the mother that taught him
10 pray.
Scarcely any passing incident of my life
cvcrmade deeper impression on my mind.
went to my room and thanked God that
hnd witnessed it and for its influence on my
heart. Who prays on steamboat? Who
train their children to pray, even at home?
AN INDIAN BURIAL.-A correspondent
of the New York Times relates the follow
ing particulars of an Indian burial among
the Shoshoncc or Snake Indians, a band Of
indians who have always resided in the vi
cinity of Salt Lake City:
"A brother of Little Soldier, the Chief,
died few days before the arrival there of
the party, and his relatives, in addition to
the killing of his favorite horses over his
grave, buried with him, alive, a little boy,
OF whom the deceased was very fond, in or
der that he might accompany him to the
spirit land. They wrapt the boy up, alive,
in blanket, and placing him in the grave
with the corpse, buried them together"
Now is TEE TINE" Not yet" said
little boy, as he was busy with his trap and
ball "when | grow older will think about
my SOUL
The little boy grew to be a young man.
Not yet, said the young man "I am
now about to enter into trade; when
see my business prosper, then shall have
more time than now"
Business did prosper.
Not yet, said the man of business
"my children must have my care when
they are settled in life, | shall be better
able to attend to religion"
He lived to be grey-headcd old man.
I" Not yet" hestill cried al shall soon
retire from trade, and then / shall have
nothing else to do but to read and pray"
And so he died he put off to another
time what should have been done when a
child. He lived without God, and died