The Van Buren press., 1871-09-26
[" Kis. Ne Good Night. Narnfs =


The child was SO sensitive. so ike that
little shrinking plant, that curls at =
breath, and shuts its petals from the
light. ,s, 50
The only beauties she possessed were
an exceedingly transparent skin, and
mournful large blue eyes.
| had been trained by very stern,
strict, conscientious mother, but was
hardy plant, rtbounding after every
shock; misfortune could not daunt,
though discipline tanned ME. ] fancicd,
alas that must 90 through the same
routine with this delicate creature; 50
one day, when she had displessed me ex.
ceedingly, by repeating an offence, was
determined to punish her severely.
was very serious all day, and upon send
ing her to her little couch, ! said, Now.
my daughter. to punish yca, and show
you how very naughty you have been,
shall not kiss you 10 night. si..' ~ -
She stoody looking 1t me in'astcuisAa
n,cnt, with her great eyes wide open. ]
supposed she had forgotten her miscons
duct till then, aud / left her with the big
tears dropping down her cheeks, and her
little red lips quivering. M ~
Presently was sent for. 2" Oh, NAM
ma, vou viii kiss me; can't go to sleep
unless YOU do, |" she sobbcd, every tone
of her voice trembling, aud she held out
her little hands ~ :. 4's@ia
Now came tue 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
nv correction, that might Impress the
fault upon her mind. That was the way
had been trained till / WAS most sub
missive child, and remembered how Of
ten | had thanked my mother since for
her straightforward course. knelt BY
the bedside. "Mother, cant kiss you,
Ellen, y / whispered, though every word
choked me. Her hand touched mine; III
was very hot, but ! attributed It to her
excitement. She turned her little grievs
inp face to the wall blamed myselfe1
the f,acile form shook with half.ssp1
pressed sobs, and saying, Mother hopes
little Ellen will learn 10 mind her after
this, " left the room for the night agf
1t might have been about twelve when
was awakened by my nurse Appre-
hensive, / ran eagerly TO the eniios
chamber. ! had had fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me; she was sit
ting up, criusoned from the forehead TO
the throat, her eyes SO bright that al
most drew back aghast at their glanees.
From that night raging fever drank up
her life--and what think you was the in
cessant plant poured into my angnished
heart? "Oh, kiss me, mother; do kiss
me can't go to sleep. ion'll kiss
your little Ellen, mother, won't youf !
can't go 10 sleep. won't be naughty II
you'll kiss mc, dear mamma? ! can't 60
to h'6fyp pln,,,s ~ns =. 49,
one gray morning, and she never woke
again! Her hand was locked in mine
all my veins grew icy with its gradual
chill. Finally the light faded out in the
beautiful eyes~Awhiser and whittier grew
the tremuloas lips. She never knew me;
but with her last breath she whispered;
u will be good, mother ifyou will only
kiss me. .s.s.f - .,sii.
Kiss her? God knows how passion
ate, but unavailng, were my Kisses upon
her check after that fatal night. God
knows how wild were my prayers that
she nigh. know, If but for. once, that !
kissed her God. knows how ] would
have yielded up my very life, could !!
have asked forgiveness Of that sweet
child ..... a,.B, a.te c,sl
Wen, grief is ali .unayailing now. Shc
lies in her little tomb; there Is marble
urn at her head and rose bush at her her
feet there grow stweet summer howers
there waves the gentle grass; there bros
sing their mathis and vespers there tne
blue sky smiles down to day, and there
lies buried the freshness Of my heart.
Parents, you should have heard the
pathos in the voice Of that stricken mo; /,
ther, as she said:
'Therc are .plants that spring into
greater vigor il the heavy pressure OF a
footstep crush them; but oh there are
others that even the pearls OF the i'ght
dew bend 70 the earth. (" s3 7t}aAi ~"