The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-12-02
RAvENNA, THURSDAY. DEgEMBER 3, 1858. @ 4
The Mothers Parting Kiss.

was Dot i've years old when my mother
died but ber imsge is as distinct to my re.
collection, now that twelve years have clans.
ed as it was at the time of her death. Ire
member her as pale, beautiful, gentle be.
ing, with a sweet smile, and voice that was
soft and cheerful when she praised me and
when ! erred, for | was q wild, thoughtless
child there was trembling mildness about
it that always went to my little heart. And
then she was SO kind, SO palient, methInks ]
can now see her with her large blue eyes
moist with sorrow because of nv childish
waywardness, and hear her, repeat, "my
child' how can you grieve me 90 Z"
l recollect she. had for long time been
pale Ohd feeble, and that sometimes there
would come a brigh, spot on her cheek,
which made her look SO lovely that thought
she must be well. But then she sometimes
spoke of dying, and pressed me to her bosom,
and told me to be good when she was gone,
and to love my father a great deul, and be
kind to him, for he would huve none else to
love. recollect she wus very sick all day,
and my little hobby horse and whip were laid
aside, and ] tried to te very quiet. did. not
see her for the whole day, and it seemed very
long. Atnight they told me mother was too
sick to kiss me, as she used to do before
went to bed, and I must 60 withou, it. But
could not. stole into the room, and Law.
ing my lips close 10 hers, whispered, Mother,
won't you kiss me o. Her lips were very
cold, and when she put her arm around me,
laid my head upon her bosom, and one hand
upon my cheek, feliu cold shudder creep
over me. My father carried me from the
room, but he could not speak. rss
After they put me in bed I lay long
while thinking. l feared my mother wout
indeed die for her cheek felt as cold as mi
little sisters did when she died and they lail
her in the cold ground. Bot the impression.
of mortality are always indstinct in child
hood, and | soon fell asleep. In the morn
ing ! hastened to my mothers room.
white napkin covered her face. removed
it it was just as feared. Her eyes were
closed, her cheek was cold and hard ond
only the lovely expression that rested upon
her lips remained. In an instant all the
little faults for which she had SO often re-
proved me rushed upon my mind. longe,
to tell her how good would be if she woult
remain with me. She WIS buried but m,
remembrance Of the funeral is indistinct.-
| only retain the impression which her pre-
cepts and example LETT upon my mind.
was passionate, headstrong boy bu
| never yielded to this turn Of my disposition
without lancying saw her mild fearful ey
fixed upon me, just as she used to do In life
And then, when succeed in overcoming il
her sweet smile OF appreciation beathed upo
me, and was happy. My whole characte
underwent a change, even from the mofhen
of her death. Her spirit was forever witt
me, Strengthening my good resolutions ait
weakening my propensity to evil. Ifelt tina
it would grieve her gentle spirit to see m
err !; and could not, would not do it.
was the child of her affection. knew sh
had prayed and wept over me, und that, eve
en the threshold of eternity, her affection fo
me had caused her gentle spirit to lingel
that she might pray for me once more. IRE
solved to become all that she could desire
This resolution have never forgotten.
helped me to subdue the waywardness @
childhood, protected me through the tempta
tious Of youth, and will comfort and suppor
me through the buster scenes of manhood
Whatever there is that is estimabe in m
character, owe to the impressions of good
ness made upon my infant mind by the ex
emplary conduct and faithful instructions G
my excellent mother Cottager's Friend.