The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1853-02-02
Kiss nae, Mamma, do Kiss Me.

i AISS me, WalnHRst. 40 AASS NAC.
~ We find the following going the rounds
without credit to the author 1t is beautiful
read it.
| The child was so sensitive, SO like that little
shrinking paint, that ourls at breath, and shuts
its heart from the light.
The only beauties she possessed, were an ex-
| ceedingly transparent skin, and the most mourn
full blue eyes.
had been trained by very stern, strict con-
| scientious mother, but | was a hardy plant, re
bounding after every shock; misfortune could
not daunt, though discipline tanned me. fan.
cied, also, that | must 60 thro' the same route
inc with this delicate creature; so one day when
she had displeased me exceedingly, by repeat
ing an offence, was determined to punish her
| severely. | was very serious all day, and on
sending her to her little couch, | said. "Now,
my daughter, to punish yoa, and show you how
very, very naughty you have been, | shall not
kiss you to night"
She stood looking at me, establishment per-
sonifed, with her great mournful eyes wide OPP
en-.
supposed she had forgotten her misconduct
till then; and left her with the big tears drop
ing down her cheeks and her little red lips quiz
ering.
Presently was sent for-"Oh mamma, yon
will kiss me !; can't go to sleep if you don't"
she sobbed every tone of her voice trembling,
and she held out her little hands.
Now came the struggle between love and
whaQi falsely termed duty. My heart said give
her the kiss of peace; my stern nature urged
me to persist in my correction that ght i'm
press the fault upon her mind. That was the
way ! was trained, till was most submis
sive child and / remembered how often had
| fhan knd NV har for har ct
ward course
| knelt by the bed side-stMother can't kiss
you, Ellen,' l whispered though every word
choked me. Her hand touched mine it was
very hot, but attributed it to her excitement.
She turned her little grieving face to the
wall.
/ blamed myself as the fragile form shook
with half suppressed sobs, and smother hopes
little Ellen will learn to mind her after this"
left the room for the night
II might haye been about twelve when | was
awakened by my nurse. Apprehensive, ran
eagerly to the chld's chamber. had fear.
full dream.
Ellen did not know me; she was sitting up,
crimsoned from the forehead to the throat, her
eyes so bright that almost drew back aghast
at their glances. From that night raging fever
drunk up her life-and what think you was her
incessant, complaint pouredsinto my angnished
heart 10, kiss me, cant go to sleep. /
wont be naughty ifyou'Il only kiss me.-Oh
kiss me, dear namms. can't 60 to sleep"
Holy little angel! she did go to sleep one
gray morning, and she never woke again
never Her hand was locked in mine, and all
my veins grew icy with its gradual chill Faint.
ly the light faded out in the beautiful eyes
whittier and whittier grew the tremulous lips. She
never knew me; but with her last breath she
whispered, will be good, mother, if you'll kiss
me.
Kiss her! God knows how passionate, but
unayailing, were my kisses upon her cheek at
ter that fatal night. God knows how wild
were my prayers that she might know, if but
only once that kissed her. God knows how
would have yielded up my very life, could
have asked forgiveness Of that sweet child
Well grief is unavailing now. She lies in
her little tomb; there is marble urn at her
head, and rose bush at her feet there grows
sweet summer flowers; there waves the gentle
grass; there birds sing their mathis and YES
pers; there the blue sky smiles down to day,
and there lies buried the freshness of my heart.
Parents, you should have heard the pathos in
the voice ofthat stliken mother, as she said
There plants that spring into greater vigor if
the heavy pressure of footstep crush them; but
oh there are others, that even the pearls of the
light dew bend to the earth =