Daily national Democrat., 1858-09-22
DAILY DEMOCRAT
- Kiss me, Mamma, do Kiss me, can't
20 to Sleeps

go to sleep"
The child was very sensitive, so like
that little shrinking plant that curls at a
breath, and shuts its heart from the
light.
The only beauty she possessed, were
an exceedingly transparent skin, and
the most mournful, large blue eyes.
have been trained by very stern,
strict. conscientious mother, but was
hardy plant, rebounding after every
shock; misfortune could not daunt, al
though discipline tanned me. fancied,
alas! that | must go through the same
routine with this delicate creature so
one day when she had displeased me ex-
ceedingly, by repeating an offense, Twas
very serious all day, and upon sending
her to her little couch, | said, Now,
my daughter, to punish you and show
you how very, very naughty you have
been, | shall not kiss you to night
She stood looking at me, astonish-
ment personi6ed, with her great mourn
ful eyes wide open. supposed she had
forgotten her misconduct till then; and
left her with the big tears dropping
down her cheeks, and her little red lips
quivering
Presently was sent for-'Oh! man.
ma, you will kiss me; | can't 90 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 what falsely called duty. Ny
heart said give her the kiss OF peace;
my stern nature urged me to persist in
my correction, that | might impress the
fault upon her mind. This was the way
| had been trained. till | was most
submissive child, and | remember how
often | had thanked my mother since
for her straightforward course.
l knelt by the bedside" Mother
can't kiss you, Ellen" 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 halfsuppressed sobs,
and saying, "Mother hopes little Ellen
will learn to mind her after this" left
the room for the night.
1t might have been about twelve when
| was awakened by the nurse. Appre-
hensive, | ran eagerly to the child's
chamber. | had fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me, she was sit
ting up, crimsoned from her forehead to
her throat, her eyes so bright that | al.
most drew back aghast at their glances.
From that night q raging fever drank
her life; and what think you was the in
cessant plant poured into my anguish
ed heart? "Oh, kiss me, mother-do
kiss me, can't go to sleep. You'll
kiss your little Ellen, mother, won't
you, can't go to sleep! | won't be
naughty if you'll only kiss me dear
mamma, can't go 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 itsgradual chill. Family the light
faded out in the beautiful eyes-whiter
and whittier grew the tremulous lips.
She never knew me; but with her last
breath she whispered, 81 will be good,
mother, if you'll only kiss me-"
Kiss her! God knows how passion
ate, but unavailing, were my kisses up
on her cheek after that fatal night
God knows how fervent was my pray
er that she might know, if but 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 all unavaiing now !
she lies in her little tomb there is a
marble urn at her head, and rosebush
at her feet; there grow the sweet flow
ers; there waves the gentle grass; there
birds sing their mathis and vespers;
there the blue sky smiles down to-day,
and there lies buried the freshness of
my heart.