Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-11-24
VOL. X.-NO. I3.
PARTING KISS

DO not know when have been more
affected by any narrative than BY one I have
lately read, entitled The Parting Kiss al
was but five years old when INV mother died.
but her i'm ige is as distinct to nv recoIlec.
tion, now that twelve years have ELAPSED. as
It was at the time of her death, remember
her as pale, beautiful, gentle being. with
sweet smile, and voice that was soft and
cheerful when she praised me, and when |
cried, for | was a wild. thoughiless child.
there was trembling mildness about il that
went to my little heart. And then she was
SO kind, so patient, methinks can now see
her large blue eyes moist with sorrow, be-
cause OF my childish waywardness, and hear
her repeat; my child, how can Won grieye
me so y recollect she had for long
time been pale aud feeble, and that some.
tunes there would come bright spot on her
cheek which made her look So lovely. tina,
thought she must be we'll But she some
times spoke of dying, and pressed me 10 her
bosom, and told me to be good when she
was gone, and TO love my father a great
deal, and be kind to him, for he would have
no one else to love. | recoIect she was
sick all day, and my little hobby horse and
whip lay aside, and tried to be very quiet
i did not see her for the whole day. and il
seemed very long. At night they told me
mother was too sick to kiss me. as she al
ways used to before ] went to bed and
must 90 without it. But | could moi.
stole into the room, and laying my lips close
10 hers and whispered, "mother-mother-
won't you kiss met" Her lips we're very
cold; and when she put her arms around
me, laid my head upon her bosom, and one
hand upon my cheek, felt cold shudder-
ing creep over me; my father carried me
rom the room, but he could not speak,
After they put me in bed, lay long time
thinking, feared my mother would die. for
her cheek felt as cold as my little sisters did
when she died, and they laid her in the
ground. But the impressions of mortality
are always indistinct in childhood, and /
soon feel asleep. traG
In the morning fastened to nv mothers
room. A white napkin covered her face.
removed tit was just as feared. Her
eyes were closed-her cheeks were cold and
hard, and only the lovely expression, that
rested upon her lips, remained In an in
slant all the little faults for which she had
often reproved me, rushed 10 my mind.
longed TO tell her how good / would always
be, if she would remain with me-
She was buried, but my remembrance Of
the funeral is indistnct: | only retain the
impression which her precepts and examples
left upon my mind. | was passionate
headslrong boy but never yielded 10 this
turn OF my disposition without fancying l
saw her mild fearful eyes fixed upon me. Just
as she used TO do in life. And then. when
succeeded in overcoming il. her sweet
smile of appreciation beamed upon me. and
was happy. My whole character under
went change, even from the moment of
her death Her spirit was forever, with me
strengthening my good resolutions and weak
ening my propensity to evil felt that il
would grieve her gentle spirit, to see me
err, and could not-would not do il. I
was the child of her affection; knew she
had prayed and wept over me, and even on
the Threshold of eternity her affection for
me had caused her gentle spirit to linger.
that she might pray for me once more.
resolved TO become all that she could desire.
The resolution / have never forgotten--it
helped me 10 subdue the waywardness of
protected me through the temp,a-
tlons of youth, and will comfort me through
the buster scenes of manhood Whatever
there is that is estimable in my character. I
owe TO the impressions of goodness, made
upon my infant mind, by the exemplary con-
duct and faithful instructions of my excellent
mother" T
Dear children, never forget this story
Love your mothers. Be careful To do moth.
ing while they are alive to fill you hearts
with bitterness after they are dead.
Cong. Journal.