Litchfield enquirer., 1846-09-24
7 Il L LAST KISS.
BY MRS. SEBA SMITH.

Il was but five years old when my
mother died; but her image is as fresh
III my mind, now that twenty years have
elapsed, as it was Il, the time of her death.
| remember her as a gentle being, with Il
sweet smile, and Il voice soft and cheer
full when she praised me, ard when
had creditor was wild, thoughtless
chl'd-ihrre was a trembling mildiness
about i! that always went to my little
heart. AIethinks can now see her large
blue eyes misty with sorrow, because of
my neutrality-suspicious., aud hear her
repeat, My child, how can you grieve
me SO 2
She had for a long time been pale
and feeble, and sometimes there would
come Il bright spot on her check, which
made her look so lovely. thought she
must be we'll. But then she spoke of
dying, aud pressed ne to her bosom, and
told me TO be good when she was gone,
and to love. my father great deal, for
he would have no one else to love-
recolec, she was i'll all the day. and
my little hobby horse md whip were
laid aside, and tried TO be very quiet
did not see her for the whole day, and
il seemed very long. AT night they told
me my mother WAS too sick to kiss me,
rs she always used to do, before went to
bed, and l must 60 without it. But
could not stole into the room, and
laying my lips close to hers, whisper
Cd
'MotheI, dear mother, won't you kiss
me Her lips were very cold, and when
sh" pat her hand upon my cheek, and
lail my head in her bosom, / leIt cold
shuddrriNg pass all through me.
My f,ricr carried me from the room;
bn, he cont 4! not speak. After they pul
IN" in bed, lay long waite, thinking
! feared my mother would di", for h"
rh, elk 1t as cod as my little sisters did
when she died, and they carried hel
sweet little boIy away where I neve
saw i. again. But soon fell asleep, a:
children viii.
In the morning I rushed into m
mothers loom, with n strange dread o
evil 10 come upon me. 1t was just as
feared. There was the white linen. owe
the sraigh! cold bed. l tore it aside.
There was the hard check, the CLOSED
eye, the stony brow. But thank Goo
my mothers dear smile was there also
or my heart would have broken.
IN al instant, all the little faults, fol
| which she had so often rcproved me, rush
G.! upon my mind. Ionged to tell hel
how good would always be, if she would
but stay with me.
i longed 20 tell, how, in all time Ia
como, her words would be Il law TO me-
l would be all that she had prayed me to
| be.
i was passionate, hoadstrong boy
but seemed to see her mild, f; arful eyes
| fnii upon me, just as she used TO look in
| lie and when | s,rove for the mastery,
felt her smile sink into my very heart
and was happy.
'MY whole character underwent a
change, even from the moment Of her
death. IErr spirit was forever with me-
t, p o)ect uud sh cd, 10 ia the goo!, and
! Ia 700. Uut the uvil, that was in me.
fell it would griCve her gentle spirit To
see me err, and could not do so. was
the child OF her affection; knew she Ind
prayed and wcp! over me, and that even
On the tlrrshpld Of her grave, her ankle
IL for my fate had caused her spirit to
ln.er, That she might pray once more for
me.
i never forgot my mothers last kiss.
1t waj with me in sorrow; it was with me
ia oy; it was with me in moments OF
evil like a perpetual good
The above is a part of the letter Of an
old man, who has his children and his
Grandchildren about him, and who is
cheerful man, with his gray hairs, full
of