The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1860-07-26
Kiss Me, Mamma. Do kiss NE.

The child was so sensitive-so like
that little shrinking plant, that curls at
breath and shuts its heart from light.
The only beauties she possessed were
an exceedingly transparent skin, and
the most mournful blue eyes. ~
/ had been trained by a stern, strict,
conscientious mother. / was a tardy
plant, rebounding at every shock, mis-
fortune could not daunt, though disci.
pline tanned me! i fancied, alas that
l must go through the same routine
with this delicate creature so one day
when sire had displeased me exceeding
ly, by repeating an offence, j was deter
mined 10 punish her severely. was
very serious ak day, and on sending her
to her little couch, said:
Now, my daughter, 10 pnnisll You,
and show you how very, very naughty
you have been, l shall not kiss you to-
night" ...........
She stood looking at me, astonish-
meat personified, with her great mourn
ful eyes wide open. suppose she had
forgotten her misconduct ill then; and
] left her with big teais dropping down
her checks, and her lips quivering.
Pres ,ntly | was sent for-"O Oh |!
mamma, you will kiss me. can't 90
TO sleep, if you DON'T" she sobbed, eve
ry tone of her voice trembling, as she
held out her hands.
Now came the struggle between love
and what falsely termed duty. NV
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. That is the way
had been trained until l was a sub.
missive child, ard l had remembered
how often | had thanked my mother
since for her straightforward course.
knelt by the bed" Mother 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 grievous face to the wall. ]
blamed myself, so the fragile form
shook with suppressed sobs. and saying,
Mother hopes Ellen will mind her bet
ter after this" left the room for the
night.
1t might have been about twelve
when was awakened BY tho nurse.
Apprehensive, ran TO the child's cham
Der. had u fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me- She was
sitting up, cfimsoned from the forehead
to the throat, her eyes so bright that |
almost drew back aghast at their glance.
From that night raging fever drank
up her life-and what do you think
was the incessaht plant poured into my
anguished heart2
,"Oh ! kiss me, mother, do kiss me.
| can't go to sleep. You'll kiss your
little Ellen, won't you? ! can't 60 to
sleep. l won't be naughty, il you'll
kiss me. Oh kiss me, dear mamma,
| can't 60 to Sleep"
Holy little child, she did 60 to sleep
one gray morning, and never woke
again-nevef! Her hand was locked
in mine, and oil nv veins Icy with its
gradual chill. Family the light faded
out in the beautiful eyes-whiter,
winter and whi.er grew the tremulous
lips. She never knew me; but with
her last breath she whispered, "I will
be good, mother, if you will only for,
give me-"
Kiss her God knows how passion
ate and unavailing were my kisses upon
her cheek after that fatal night. God
knows how wild were my prayers, that
she might know if only once that
might 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 mar
bic urn at her head, and a rose bush at
her feet-there grows sweet summer
flowers; there waves the gentle grass /;
there birds sing their maths and ves-
pers, there the blue sky shines down
to-day, and there lies the freshness of
my heart.
Parents, you should have heard the
pathos in the voice of that stricken
mother, as she said, "There are plants
that sp'ing into great 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"