Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1837-09-27
THE PARTING KISS.
4 FRAGMENT.

|
81 was but five years old when my moth.
er died ; but her image is as distinct in my
recollection, now that twelve years have
elapsed, as it was Al the time other death.
| remember her as pale, beautiful, gentle
being, wit Il sweet smile, and voice that
was soft and cheerful when she praised me
and when | erred, for was wild, thought
less child, there wasa trembling mildness
about it that always went to my little heart.
And then she was so kind, so patient me
thinks | can now see her large blue eyes
! moist with sorrow, because o!my childish
waywardness, and hear her repent, My
child, how can you gricve me so 2" Ire.
collect she had for longtime been pale and
feeble, and that sometimes there would come
4 bright spot on her check, which made her
Iook SO lovely, | thought she must be well.
But then she sometimes spoke of dying,
and pressed me TO her bosom, and told me
"Io be good when she was gone, and TO love
my father great deal, and be kind to him,
for he would have no one else to love-" |
recollect she was very sick all day. and my
little hobby.horse ard whip were laid as de,
and tried to be very quiet. did not see
her for The whole day, and it seemed very
long. At night they told nc my mother
was 100 sick 10 kiss me, as she always used
, TO do before | went 10 bed, and must 60
without it. But | could not. stole into
the room, and dlaying my lips close TO hers,
WHISPERED, " Mother, mother, wont you kiss
mc?" Her lips were very cold land when
she put her arm around me, laid my head
upon her bosom, and one hand upon my
check, felt cold shdddering creep all over
me. My father carried me from the room,
but hccould not speak. After they put me
in bed, lay long while thinking. fear
ed my mother would indeed die, for her
cheek felt rs cold as my little sisters did
when she died, and they laid her in the
ground. But the in pressions of mortality
are always indistinct in childhood, and |
soon fell asleep. In the morning hasten
ted to my mothers room. A white napkin
covered her face. removed tit was
just as feared. Her eyes were closed;
her cheek was cold and hard the lovely cx.
preston that a'"ays rested upon her lips re.
NAMED. In an Instant all the little faul,s
for which she had so often reprovcd me,
rushed upon my mind. longed totc'l her
nov good would always be, if she would
remain with nc. She was buried ; but my
remembrance OF the funeral is indis,nct.
| only retain the impression which her pre-.
cep:s and example left upon my mind. |
was passionate, headstrong boy but !
never yielded 10 this turn of my disposition,
wi, out fancying saw her mild, fearful
eye fixed upon me just as she used 10 DO
IN life. And then WHOM had succeeded
in ovcrcorlingit It. her swea: smile OF aPpro-
baton bcamed upon me, and WIS happy.
Ny whole character underwent change,
even from the moment Of her death. Her
spirit was forever with me, strcnthening
my good resolutions, and weakening my
propensity to evil. felt that it would
gricyc her gentle spirit to see me- err, and
could not, would not do it. | was the
child OF her affection; | knew she had
prayed and wept over, me, and that even
on the threshold of eternity her affection for
me had caused her genie spiri: to linger,
that she might pray for me once more. |
resolved to become all that she could desire.
This resolution have never forgotten. II
helped me 10 subdus the waywardncss Of
childhood, protected me through the 'empta-
tons of youth, and will comfort and support
me through the buster, scenes ofmanhood.
Whatever there is that is estimab!e in my
character, owe to the impressions of gotd.
ness made upon my infant mind by the ex
cmp!ary conduct and faithful instructions OF
nv excellent mother."
-y,TII, FnurH LNS-rTD