Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-10-28
Little Bob the Cabin Boy

There is not one Of US, however young, bul
he may do some good. Every little child can
be useful. / will tell you how little cabin boy
was uEeiul, who was sailing 10 large chip over
the wide sea.
II happened, that on the voyage, the sailors
quarreled with the captain, who was 30 proud
and overbearing that none Of them would sub
NIT to him. This gave the captain go much
trouble and preyed 80 much on his spirits, that
he became very Ill; 90 i'll as to be confined to
his bed. None of the sailors cared for him;
60 there he lay very III, and ell alone. No one
thought Of sleaking kind word 10 the poor
sick captain but little Bob.
His Bible had taught him q lesson which the
sailors knew nothing about, Il had taught
him 10 be kind to everybody, even to those
who used him i'll; so he stole softly to the cap
tan'a door, and knocked. "Wno is there2'
asked the captain, in very gruf voice. "It's
Little Bob, sir; can do anything for you7"
"Go to your work, you scoundrel," cried the
captain, in an angry tone. "Don't come plsg-
ulng me"
Little Bob stole away even more softly than
he came, but his heart was not filled with any
angry feeling: He pitied the captain still more
than he had done before.
The next day he resolved to try again. He
saw that the poor captain was not on deck
and again he went and knocked at his door,
"Who ID there7" Captain, can do anything
for yon to-dayf" asked little Bob. "No, no; 90
away, ], said the captain. Bob was pleased tina.
the captain did not speak IN 50 harsh voice
as he had done the day before, and he made mp
his mind to try again. Meantime the captain
heart grew warm toward the kind little fellow.
He thought how differently he acted from the
unfeellng sailors, who had not once inquired for
him all the time Of his illness; and he deter
mined, II he came again, he would let him In
When Bob came the next day, the captain
said, rcome In" Bob walked in on tiptoe, and
said very tenderly, "Please, cir, can ! do any
thing for you. Shall ! make your bed, or &c,
you aicup OF coffee2 I'll do Il In minute.
"Well, Bob, you may II you like" said ths
captain. Away Bob ran, and In . few minutel
everything was ready, The coffee, The hot toast
and be brought ID on tray 10 the captain,
| bedsIde. Bob always carried with him the B
BILE In his pocket; and as he came Into the room
Inc captain observed Il.
"What book 10 that7p said he. "It is th,
book my mother gave me,n said Bob; "th,
incest book you ever saw" Can you reat
liz, Bob9" "0h, yes, sil," said the boy, Tan,
l should like TO read IL 10 you" "Aye, 20,
may,p said tho captain; Gas soon as l hav
finished my coffee, you may begin" Bo
4 cleared away the coffee, and sat himself dow
on Q box by the side Of the captains bed, an
opened on the history OF Jesus, and read ho,
he went about doing good; how he pitied th
wretched, how he healed the slck, and forgav
their sins. The captain listened very after
: lively, and asked tho boy to como again th
next day. Ffom this time he came every day
| and inatraoted the Door captain In the kuOWl
edge Of Jesus the Savior. He asked him man
iqueetions, and Bob knew how TO answer them
thanks to his mother and to bis Sabbatl
Ono evening the captain ssid,, aLeave m
that book Of yours, Bob; should like to loo
Of IL myself. Bob willingly qleftih The No,
J lmornlng howe as usual and tapped at u
I cabin door, Noansyer came: Again he tal
0 ped, and louder. Still no answer. He opent
l1he door and walked In. The captain was Z