Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-07-27

KISS NJ MANA, DO KISS ME."-The
child was SO sensitive---so Like that little
shrinking plant, that curls at the breath and
shuts its heart from light. The only beau
ties she possessed were an exceedingly
transparent Si>in, and the aaost mournful
blue eyes. ! had been trained by stern,
strict, conscientious mother i was a tardy
Fapt, rebounding at every shock, misfor-
tune could aot dapntt, though discipline
tanned me. ! fancied, alas, that must 90
through the same routine with this delicate
creature, so one day when she had dis
pleased me exceedingly by repeating an
otfense, was determined to punish her Sc
verely. was very serious all day, and on
sending her TO her little couch, saeai--
"Now' my daughter, to punish you, ana
show you how very, very naughty you have
been, ] shall not kiss You to-nigkt.s
She stood looking at me, astonishment
personifiea, with her great mournful eyes
wide open. ] IsupPoae she had forgotten
hQr misconduct till then and left her
with big tears dropping down her che eks,
and her lips quivering. Presently was
sent for" Oh mamma, you wll kiss me.
l can't so to sleep if you DON'T she sobbed,
every tone Of her voice trembling, as she
hold out her hands.
Now came the struggle between love and
what / falsely termed duty. My heart
said give her the kiss Of peace my stern
nature urged me to persist in my correction
that | might impress the fault ppon her
mind. That is the way had been trained
until was q submissive child, and re.
member how often I had thanked my
mother siace for her straightforward course
| kneit by her bed" Mother can't kiss
you Ellen" l whispered, though every
w0nd chokedGae. Her hand touched mine
it was very hot; but attributed it to hei
excitement. She turned her grievous face
face to the wall. blamed myself, so th,
fragile form shook with suppressed sobs
and saying, Mother hopes Ellen will mino
her better after this" left the room for th'
night.
1t might have been about twelve when
was awakened by the nurse. Apprehensiv'
ran to the child's chamber | had had
fearful dream. Ellen did not know me
She was sitting up, cripsoned from th
forehead to the throat, her eyes so brigh
that almost drew back aghast at thei
glance. From that night raging feve
drank up her life-and what do you thinl
was the incessant plant poured into m
anguished heart? "Oh, kiss me, mothel
do kiss me. i can't go to sleep. You'll kis
your little Ellen won't you? / cant go t
sleep. I won't be naughty, il you'll kis
me- Oh kiss me dear mamma, cant 9
TO sleep.
Holy little child, she did 60 to sleep on
gray morning, and never woke again
never Her hand was locked in mine
and all my veins icy with its gradual chill
Family the light faded out in the beantifu
eyes-whiter. winter and winter grew tn
tremulous lips. She never knew me bu
with her last breath she whispered, " i wi
be good, mother, if you will only forgiv
me-"
Kiss her! God knows how passionate
and unavailing were my kisses upon he
cheeks after that fatal night. God know
how wild we're my prayers, that she nigh
know if. only once, that would have yield
ed up my very life could ! have asked for
giveness of that sweet child.
Well, grief is unavaiing now. She lie
in her little tomb; there is marble url
at her head, and rose bush at her feet
there grow sweet summer flowers; ther
waves the gentle grass there birds sin;
their mathis and vespers, there the blu
sky shone down to-day, and there lies tn
freshness of my heart,
Parents, you should have heard the pa
thos in the voice of that stricken mother
as she said, "Theee are plants that sprin
into great vigor if the heavy pressure of
footstep crush them; but oh !! there ar
others that even the pearls Of the ligh
dew bend to the earth"