A very few days after Alfred’s talk with his papa about obeying immediately, Mr. Penrose met a gentleman who told him about a little son of his, whose life was probably saved by his quickly obeying his father. The story was as follows:—

The little boy, and his father and mother, were sailing upon a canal. A canal is a very deep and wide ditch, full of water, on which boats sail. Many bridges are built over these canals. Persons have been killed by not lying down flat upon the deck of the canal-boat in time to prevent their being struck by the bridges. But grown people generally look out for them in time to save themselves, when they stand upon the deck of the boat.

Little Edward had been taken from his parents by some of the passengers, and carried up to the deck. He was then about six years old. After awhile his father and mother also went up. As soon as they reached the deck they saw the boat was going very rapidly toward a bridge; and O how frightened they were to see their dear little boy standing alone on that part of the boat which was nearest to it! There was no time to run and catch him in their arms. The father could only speak to him, and his mother stood trembling.

Little Edward’s father called very loudly to him, “Edward! lie down!” and the dear little fellow was so accustomed to obey in a minute that he dropped down upon the deck as soon as his father spoke to him. In this way his life was saved. If Edward had stopped to say, “Why must I lie down, father?” he would probably have been killed. It is promised to those who keep their Father’s commandments, that they shall have “length of days, long life, and peace.” Proverbs iii, 2.

This story delighted Alfred, and afterward, when he was bidden to do anything, his mamma had only to say, “Alfred, remember Edward,” to make him run very quickly and do what he was told to do.