The Shasta courier., 1861-01-19
From, the Daily Bee.
Neny's Prayer.
By N. QUAD.


Some half a dozen friends met together a
short time since, after separation oil years. In
the interim some had been married, some had
met with other adventures and misfortunes, and
each had his story to relate.
Among the benedicts WAS Tom H, whom
we had all known, both as boy and man, to be
extremely bashful, and especially so in the pres
ence of ladies' How he had ever mustered up
sufficient courage to propose" was mystery
to US all, and very naturally led to the inqui-
ry- a,
al think SNOWFALL had something tdpdo with
the matter in my case" quietly replied Tom.
''A SNOWFALL - incredulously exclaimed some.
That's queer" said one.
'And COOL" observed another.
frank Innovation" broke in one of the bach
elors.
"Cupid should stick to his bow and arrows
Why, he'll get to using field pieces and Colts
revolvers when he sees 6t!
You'll see fits" if he does" retorted one of
the Benedicts. "Even that adamantine heart
of yours would then have to yield"
"But bless me! think how dangerousl Re-
member the little Gus is blind, and would be
just as apt to shoot and bag one who wes. de-
serving Of better fate as any other" +"
Be comforted," intsrposed the elder ePthe
bachelors. "Cupid will never take kindly TO
revolvers. The subject does not admit bf much
revolving. Go on with your confession,
Tom"
"You see," said Tom. /" we had just finished
our days work in the printing Office, and were
on our way to supper. 1t was December
night and would have been a dark one but for
the snow, which covered the ground and filled
the air. Nothing short of good snowbaling
would satisfy some of the boys, so at it we went.
One of the missiles, wandering, or attracted,
from its orbit, missed the mark and struck a
lady who was passing on the sidewalk. i'm
mediately approached her to apologize, when
discovered it was Nelly F.. The accident
was soon forgiven by her, and forgotten by
both.
"sWhere are you going, Nelly !? inquired.
"s To prayer meeting she quietly answered.
al needed not to have asked the question, for
had | not known her habits, the signt of her two
little hands so meekly folded before her, the one
holding her bible, and the other her handker-
chief as white as the falling flakes themselves,
would have satisfied me as to her destination.
As the light of lamp fell upon her face, and
disclosed it SO coolly nesting amid furs and
comforters. ! thought | had never seen her
looking SO rosy, SO sweet, so good, and alto
gether so pretty. The walk to the chr rch was
long one, the paths were slippery, the night
was cold and rather dark, and so, TO guard
against Nelly's slipping, put my arm around
her wais.-ou'sde her cloak. you know"
"Of course, Tom. Go on
"No sound was audible, save the tolling OF
the bell, and that came mufied and dull through
the snow-filled air. | knew the little saint at
my side thinking Of solemn things, and
did not wish to interrupt her meditations by any
trivial or ill timed conversation. fell to think
ing too. Thinking what serious matter it is
to go to church with woman that is, to have
the exclusive right to escort one woman to
church, to pay her pew rent, and give her short
shilings to put in the contribution box. And
then tried to imagine what would be my feel
ings were placed in such situation.
"Nelly.'
"My own voice startled me- ! spoke before
knew it, without knowing what tor, or what
farther to say. have dim consciousness OF
having just then mentally calculated Ia short
prayer for aid in my quandary.
"sNelly.'
We'll, Tom.
"'Nclly, do you pray for your enemies 2
asked with a desperate determination to say
something.
"' do, she replied.
"'And your friends? 2
"sYes.'
"'WiIl you pray for me, Nelly?'
"'I will, Tom
"Pray that | may become good man.?
"sYes.'
"'And a useful citizen p
"sYes.'
"And a good Christian p
"'Ah, Toni that embraces all the rest. !
will surely pray for that
".And that may become good husband p
"'Yes.'
"sAnd YOUR husband, Nelly?'
"'Oh. Toni
"That was all she said, but she trembled so
violently, half repented of my temerity. Moth
ing more was said until we reached the church.
"'Wel here we are at the church door,
said I. Good night, Nelly. l will call to-
morrow evening and learn the result of your
prayers
1.-THE next evening called on Nelly, and
found her looking more beautiful, more lovely
and loveable than ever.
a. have great faith in the efficacy of good
womans prayers" said Tom, thoughtfully.-
" With these to aid him, a man is stronger than
if backed by the wealth of Rothschild and the
armies of Napoleon. | think there must be a
special audience chamber for the hearing OF
such petitions-like the ladies' window at the
post-o office, for instance, where the women go
and get their letters a. once, while we have to
stand out in the scorching sun or drenching
rain, and toll slowly and tediously up to the
other window, through long and sinuous lines,
perhaps only to DE disappointed at last"
The quaintness Of Toms similie provoked a
general laugh, which somewhat disconnected
him, and caused him to say apologetically:
- am making too long story ofthis."
mo- mol Go on,' said all.
81 have but to add" continued Tom, "that
Nelly's prayer-ns ] always called the last
named one-was soon after granted, and through
that came, as humbly hope and believe, the
happy fulflment OF all the Others
And We all concluded the story was mt a
bad one-for a BAsHFuL MAN.