Washington telegraph., 1853-01-19
Ksss me, Mamma, do EAiss me.

~AASo AknUs G1 LAAS3 LkkGs
We find the following going the rounds
without credit to the author. 1t is bcauti-
ful-read it.
The child was so sensitive, SO like that
little shrinking plant, that curls at breath,
and shuts its heart from the light
The only beauties she possessed, were an ey-
ceedlngly transparent skin, and the most
mournful blue eyes.
1 had been trained BY very stem, strict,
conscientious mother, but I was hardy
plant, rebounding after every shock mis-
fortune could not daunt, though discipline
tanned me. | fancied also, that | must "
through the same routine with this delicate
creature; SO one day when She had displeas-
cd me exceedingly, BY repeating an offence
| was determined to punish her severely
| was very serious all day, aud on sending
her to her little couch, I said. Now, my
daughter, to punish. and show YOU how ve-
ry, very naughty you have been, shall not
kiss You tonight
She stood looking at me. astonishment
personifed, with her great mournful eyes
wide open
| supposed she had forgotten her miscon-
duct til then; and left her with the big
tears dropping down her cheeks and her
little red lips quivering.
Presently | was sent for-"OhI mamma.
you will kiss me can't 90 to sleep if YOU
don't she sobbed, every tone Of Der voice
trembling and she held out Her little hands.
Now came the struggle between love and
what falsely termed duty. ny heart said
give her the kiss Of peace, THY stern nature
urged me to persist in my correction that |
might impress the fault upon her mind
That vas a most submissive child and re-
membered how often | had thanked nv
mother since f1r her straight forward course.
| Enelt by the bed-siGc-"Mothrr can't
kiss You, Ellen,' whispered, Though every
word choked me. Her hand touched mine:
it was very hot, but I attributed it 10 her
excitement. She turned her little rrievinc
face to the wall.
/ blamed myself as the fragile form shook
with half suppressed sobs, and mother hopes
little Ellen will learn to mind her after
this, " left the room for the night
Il might have been about twelve when I
was awakened By my -hppTehensfyc,
1 ran eagerly to the child's chamber. I had
q fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me She was sitting
up, cr-msoned from the forehead 70 ;hc
throat, her eyes W bright that I almost drew
back aghast az their clanccs. From that
night raging fever drank TIP her lite-and
what think you was her incessaut plaint
poured into my angnishcd heart2 TO. kiss
me, can't go to sleep You'll kiss your
little Ellen. mother won't YOU . / cant I'd
I - /
kiss m1- Oil. kiss m, dear mamInl- i
can't 60 to Sleep
Holy little angel she did 70 to sleep one
gray morning. and she never woke again
never, Her hand was locked In mime. and
al TDy veins grew ley with it gradual
chill Family thc light faded out in the
beautiful eyes-whitcr :ud whittier grew the
tremuIous lips. She never knew me ; but
with her last breath she whispered, L viii Be
good, mother, if you'll kiss me.
Kiss her God knows how passionate, but
unayailiDr, were my kisses upon her check
after that fatal night God knows how wild
were. MY prayers that she might know, if hnt
only once. that | kissed her. God knows
how would have yielded up .ny very life.
could have asked forgiveness Of that sweet
child
Well, grief is uravailirc rcw. She lies
in her little tomb; there Is marble urn at
her head, and rose bash ut her feet there
grow sweet summer flowers; there waves
the gentle grass there birds sing their ma
tin vespers; there the blue sky smiles down
to-day, and there lies buried the freshness
Of my heart.
Parents, you should have heard the rathos
in the voice Of that stricken mother, as She
said-"Thcre are plants that spring into
greater vigor ii the heavy pressure Of d
footstcp crush them; but oh there are 9th.
ers, that even the pearls Of the light dew
bend to the Garth"