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LITTLE MARY AND HER WICKED FATHER.
"What shall I do? What shall I do?" the wicked father said,
As in agony of spirit he rose up from his bed,
And earnestly entreated his wife to kneel and pray;
Alas! dear Mary's mother had ne'er been taught the way.
"I cannot pray, dear husband," the trembling wife replied.
"Oh, then, what can I do?" in bitterness he cried.
"Perhaps," she said, "our Mary has learned to say her prayers,
She seems so good and holy." He hastened up the stairs
Where slept that young disciple, a child of seven years;
Her father gently woke her, then, bursting into tears,
He said, "O, can you pray, my child; has Jesus taught you how?
And will you try to pray for your poor father, now?"
