Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-09-18
THE DYING KISS,

was bat five years old when my mother died;
but her image is as distinct to my recollection,
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 ne, and when | ened, (for | was wild,
thoughtless child there was a trembling mild
ness about it that always went to my little heart
And then she was so kind, so patient; methnks
can now see her large blue eyes moist with sor-
row because of my childish waywardness; and
hear her repeat, "AIy child, how can you griege
me sol" Irecollect she had for long time
been pale and feeble, and that sometimes there
would come bright spot on her cheek, which
made her look SO lovely that | thought she must
be we'll But then she sometimes spoke of dy-
ing, 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. | lecolIect she was
very sick all day, and my little hobby-horse and
whip we're laid aside, and tried to be very qui-
ct | did not see her for the whole day, and it
seemed very long. At night they told me my
mother was too sick to kiss me- as she always
used to do before | went to bed, and | must 90
without it But | could not | stole into the
room, and laying my lips close to hers, whisper
ed, "Mother, mother, won't you kiss mel" Her
lips we're very cold; and when she put her arm
around me, laid my head upon her bosom, aud
one hand upon her cheek, felt cold shudder
creep all over me- My father carried me from
the room, but he could not speak After they
put me in bed, lay long while thinking.
feared that my mother would indeed 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 indistnct
in childhood, and l soon fell asleep In the
morning fastened to my mothers room. A
white napkin covered her face Iremoyed it
it was Just as | had feared Her eyes were clos
ed; her cheek was cold and hard and only the
lovely expression that always rested upon her
lips remained. In an instant all the little faults
for which she had SO often reproyed me, rushed
upon 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 fiji
neral is ndistinct. | ony retain the impressions
which her precepts and example left upon my
mind. was passionate, headstrong boy; but
| never yielded to this turn Of my disposition
without fancyng saw her mild, fearful eye fix
ed upon me, just as she used to do in life. And
then, when succeed in overcoming it, her sweet
smile of appreciation boamed upon me, and was
happy. My whole character underwent a
change, even from the moment of her death
Her spirit was forever with me, Strengthening
my good resolutions and weakening my propen
sity to do evil felt that it would greye hei
gentle spirit to see me err, and could not ,woull
not do it. was the child of her affection,
knew she prayed and wept over me, and tina
even on the Threshold of eternity, her affection
for me had caused her gentle spirit to linger, thu
she might pray for ME once more. | resolved tt
become all that she could desire, This rcsoIu
item have never forgotten 1t helped me t.
; subduc the woywardness Of childhood, protected
me through the temptations Of youth, and vii
| comfort and support me through the busie
scenes Of manhood. Whatever there is estma
bic in my character, owe to the impressions Q
goodness made upon my infant mind by the eH
empIry conduct and faithful instruction of m
= excellent mother. -P0ents Nag