The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-01-13
THE, LAST KISS.
BY MRS. SEBA SMITH.


Sc was but five years old when my mother
died but her image is as fresh in my mind, now
that twenty years have elapsed as it was at The
time OF her death. | remember her, as a PALE
gentle being, with a sweet smile, and voice soft
and cheerful when she praised me and when |
had erred-for was Wild th0ughiless child
there was trembling midneSs about il that. al
ways went to my little heart. Melhinks can
now see her large blue eyes misty with sorrow,
because OF my childish waywardness, and hear
her repeat, My child, how can you grieve me
o?'
- She had for long time been pale and feeble
and sometimes there would come q bright spot on
her cheek, which made her look So lovely. |
thought size must be we'll Bot then she spoke
OF dying, and pressed me TO her bosom, and told
me to he good when she was gone and to love
my father great deal, Cor he would have no one
else to love-
recoect she was III all that day, and my lit
tie hobby bOIse and whip were laid aside and
tried to be very quiet. did not see her for The
Whole day, and it seemed very long. A. night
they told me my moth was TOO sick to 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 laying my lips close to
hers, Whispered
Mother, dear mother. woa't you kiss me 2
Her lips were very cold, and when she put her
hand upon my cheek, and laid my head in her
bosom, felt cold shuddering pass all .hyough
me.
. My father carried me from the room bot he
could not speak. After they put me in bed lay
long while, thinking feared my mother would
die, for her cheek felt cold as my little sisters
did, when she died, and they carried her sweet
iIie body away where never saw it again
But soon fell asleep, as children will.
:" 10 the morning, ! rushed to my mothers
room, with a strange dread Of evil to come upon
IL uSt | fTharo h.
white linen, over the straight cold bed | tore it
aside
% There the hard cheek, the closed eye,
The stony brow. But, shank God my mothers's
dear, dear smile was there also, my heart would
have broken.
" In instant, all the little faults, for which
she had so often reproved me, rushed upon my
mind. ] loDged 10 tell her how good would al
ways De. If she would but stay with me-
= longed to tell, how, in all time TO come her
words would be law TO me. would be all that
she had prayed me to be-
" was passionate, headsiroDg boy but never
DID this frame of temper come upon ne, but
seemed to see her mild fearful eyes fall upon me,
just as she used to look in life and when sirove
for the mastery ! felt her smile sink into nv
very heart. and was happy.
. My whole character underwent chanue.
even from the moment Of her death. Her spirit
was forever with me, to aid the good and to
root out the evil, that was in me. felt it would
gHeve her gentle spirit TO see me err, and | could
not, would not to do so. was the child Of her
affection; knew she had prayed and wepi over me.
and that even on the threshold of the grave. her
anxiety for my fate bad caused her spirit to linper
that she might pray once more for me.
q" never forget my mothers last kiss IL was
with me In sorrow II was with me in joy: it
was with me in moments Of evil like perpetual
good"
The above is part of the letter Of an old man.
who has his children and his grand children about
MN, and who Is a cheerful man, with his gray
hairs, foil Of reverence.