The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-05-18
Johnny's Prayer.
BY MRS. L. B. BACON.

Oh Lord, take care of me during the
night, and when get up in the morning
| will take care of myself"
These are the very words of PRAYER
that little Johnny Hall offered one night
Just before going to bed. When he was
mere baby, or at least Just as soon as
he could talk, he had learned to say,
Now lay me" at night, and " Our
Father which art in heaven" in the
morning. AS he grew older and could
understand more, he was taught to add
little prayer in his own words, for Just
| the things that he desired, and this was
the prayer that he added that night.
Queer, wasn't it, tkat a little fellow,
not more than seven years old, should
think he was wise enough, or strong
enough, to take care of himself, except at
nights when it was dark, and he was
asleep? But he did, it seems; that is, if
he thought anything about it yet there
never was boy of his age that needed
more watching or that gave mother more
anxiety because of his needless ways,
than this same Johnny Hail. The num-
Der of bumps and cuts and bruises that
he managed to get each day was wonder
| full, and his narrow escapes from severe
injury, and even death, seemed almost
miraculous.
He had grown-up brother, Harry,
who expected to be missionary some
day, and who, Johnny said, was the
best kind of a chap to have around
home" though he was seldom there.
His opinions were worth more, in John
ny's estimation, than any others except
his own. 1t was during Harry's rare
visits at home that the events of this
story occurred. His room was next to
Johnnys, so it happened that he over
heard the prayer of his small brother.
No wonder he began to think there was
missionary work to be done at home, and
set himself to watch for an opportunity
to instruct the boy in better principles :;
thinking also that an object lesson might
be found somewhere to enforce it. Of
course he had not long to wait. 1t came
upon the very day thai Johnny had
promised the Lord he would take care of
himself.
The first thing of Importance in the
morning that happened to the boy was a
bee-sting. 1t was not dangerous, but it
was very disagreeable and at first pain
full, besides spelling his beauty though
to be sure he hadn't much beauty to
spoil. His fat cheeks and little pug
nose swelled out of all resemblance to his
own, so that Johnny declared when he
looked in the glass, that he guessed it
was some other boy One eye was
closed, which may partly account for the
next accident that befell him.
The Halls were farmers, and that day
were haying in a meadow on the other
side of the creek which ran through the
farm. There was no bridge, only a
foot-pole," as it was called, across the
creek, and the teams forded the stream.
There was no danger in crossing the
pole Johnny had done it hundreds of
times in safety. But this time he was
less fortunate. He had staid in the
house, nursing his sore face, as long as
he could endure it; so he coaxed his
mother to let him go down to the mead
ow and ride up on load of hay, promis-
ing to be good boy and sit in the shade
until the load was ready. So away he
ran like a steam engine, and rushed
upon the foot-pole with whoop and q
shout; but before he was half across, lost
his balance and fell into the creek. Per-
haps, as before intimated, if he had had
the use of both eyes this would not have
happened But as it was, he would
certainly have been drowned if one of the
hay makers had not heard his shout, and
looking up just ae the boy fell, ran to the
rescue. Johnny was taken out unharm-
ed, and sent to the house wetter if not
wiser boy.
This Yves not long after dinner. John
ny was dressed in dry suit, and with
the promise that bis mother would read
him story when her work was done, he
was persuaded to lie down upon the
lounge and try to go to sleep. Now a
nap was, Of all things, just what the boy
needed most. But trying to go to sleep is
not always the best way to succeed, and
so it proved in this case.
In the course Of FIVE minutes or less he
was screaming at the top Of his voice to
know if he might 90 out and play with
his bow and arrows; cause" said he,
my face aches awful when lie down