Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-04-28

The child was 80 sensitive-so Ike
that little shrinking plant, that curls
at a breath and shuts its heart from
light.
The only beauties she possessed were
an exceedingly transparent skin, and the
most mourntul blue eyes.
II had been trained by stern, strict,
conscientious mother. | was hardy
plant, rebounding at every shock, mis-
fortune could not daunt, though disci-
pline tanned me. fanc:cd, alas. that
| must go through the same routine
with this delicate creature; 30 one day
when she had displeased me exceeding
", by repeating an offence, was &C.
termined to punish her severely. !
was very serious all day, and on send
ing her to her little couch said
Now, nv 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 personifed, with her great mourn
full eyes wide open. suppose she had
forgotten her misconduct till then; and
| left her with big tears dropping down
her checks, and her lips quiveriug.
Presently l was sent for--"Oh!
mamma, you will kiss me. lcan't go
to sleep, if you DON'T" she sobbed,
every tone of her voice trembling, and
she held 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 III
the corr ection that might impress the
fault upon her mind. That is the way
had been trained until | was submls.
sivc child; and l remembered how
often | had thanked my mother since
for her straightforward course.
knelt 10y the bed Mother can't
kiss you, Ellen" whispered, though
every word choked me. Her hand
touched nine; it was very hot; but l
attributed it to her excitement. She
turned her grievous face to the wall.
blamed myself as the fragile firm
shook with suppressed sobs, saying
"Mothcr hopes Ellen will mind her bet
ter after this" and left the room for the
night.
1t might have been about twelve
when | was awakened by the nurse.
Apprehensive l ran to the child's cham
Der. | had fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me. She was sit,
tidg up crimsoned from head to throat
her eyes 50 bright that | almost drew
back aghast at their glance. From that
night a raging sever drank up her life
and what do you think was the inces
SAINT plant poured into my heart?
"Oh kiss me, mother, do kiss me.
can't 50 to sleep. You'd kiss your 1T
tie Ellen, won't you! Icam't go te
sleep. won't be naughty if you'll kiss
me. Oh! kiss me, dear mamma,
can'tg 60 to sleep"
Holy little child, she did so to sleel
one grey morning and never woke agalI
never. Her hand was locked in mine
. and all my veins icy with its gradua
chill. Family the light tainted out il
the beautiful eyes-whiter, whittier, an(
winter grew the trcmulous lips. Sh'
never knew me; but with her last breath
she whispered, 81 Will be good, mother
if you will only forgive me-
Kiss her. God knows how passion
ate and unavailing were my kisses upol
her cheek after that fatal night. Co.
knows how wild were my prayers, tina
she might know if only once that
kissed her. God knows how that
!, might have yielded UP my very lif
t could l have asked the forgiveness Q
! that sweet child.
Well, grief is unavailing now. Sh
y lies in her little tomb; there is marbl,
: urn at her head, and rose bush at he
: feet there grows sweet Summer flow
ers, there waves the gentle grass; ther
birds sing their mathis and vespers
there the blue sky shines down to-day
and there lies the freshness of m,
heart.
Parents, you should have heard tn
pathos in the voice of that stricken
mother, as she said, "Thcre are plant
that spring into great vigor if the heav.
pressure of a footstep crush them bu
oh there are others that even the pearl
Of the light dew bend to the earth"