The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-08-16
ssKiSs me Mamma 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 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, misfortune could not
daunt, though discipline tanned me. |
fancied, alas, that l must 90 through the
same routine with this delicate creature,
SO one day when she had displeased me
exceedingly by repeating an offense, /
was determined to punish her severely.
l was very serious all day, and on send
ing her to her little couch, said
Now, my daughter, to punish you,
and show you how very, very naughty
you have been, l shall not kiss you to-
night"
She stood looking at me, astonishment
personifed, with her great mOurnful eyes
wide open. l suppose she had forgotten
her misconduct till then; and [ left her
with big tears dropping down her cheeks
and her lips quigering. Presently [ was
sent for Oh mamma, you vii! kiss me-
| can't go to sleep if you don't, she Sob
bed, every tone of her voice trembling, as
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 in my
correction that might impress the fault
upon her mind That is the way [ had
been trained until [ was a submissive
child, and I remember how often | had
thanked my mother since for her straight
forward course. knelt by her bed
&" Mother can't kiss you, Ellen" l whis-
pered, though every word choked me-
Her hand touched mine; it was very
hot but | attributed 1t to her excitement.
She turned her grevious face to the wall.
| blamed myself, SO the fragile form shook
with suppressed sobs, and saying, "Moth'
er hopes Ellen will mind her better after
this" left the room for the night.
It might have been about twelve when
| was awakened by the nurse. Appre-
hensive | ran to the child's chamber. |
had had fearful dream. Ellen did not
know me. She was sitting up, crimsoned
from the forehead to the throat, her eyes
SO bright that I almost drew back aghast
at their glance. From that night a rag
ing fever drank up her life-and what
do you think was the incessant plant
poured into my anguished heart? "Oh
kiss me, mother, do kiss me. | can't 60
to sleep. You'll kiss your little Ellen,
won't you? [ can't go to sleep. / won't
be naughty, if you'll kiss me. Oh! kiss
me, dear mamma, can't 90 to sleep.
Holy little child, she did 90 to sleep
one gray morning, and never woke again
again-never. Her hand was locked in
mine, and all my veins icy with its gradual
chill. Family the Light faded out in the
beautiful eyes-whiter, whittier and whittier
grew the tremulous lips. She never
knew me but with her last breath she
whispered, 81 will be good, mother, if
you only forgive me"
Kiss her! God knows how passionate
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 would
have yielded up my very life could |
have asked forgiveness of that sweet
child.
Well, grief is unayailing now. She
lies in her little tomb there is marble
urn at her head, and rose bush at her