National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-09-10
THE RoTRER,S RENoRSE.

The child Was 80 sensitive, 50 Ike the little
shrinking plant, that eurls at the breath and
shuts its heart from the light. The only
beauty she possessed was an exceedingly
Transparent skin, and the most mournful blue
eyes. 1 had been trained BY stern, strict,
conscientious mother. was 3 hardy pisnt,
rebounding at every shock misfortune could
not daunt though discipline tanned me. /
fancisd, alas, that must go through the same
routine with this delicate creature; 50 one day
when she had displeased me exceedingly By
repeating an offence, was determined 70 pun
ish her severely. was very ssrious AL day,
and on sending her 20 her little couch / sid
Snow, my daughter, punish you, and show
you how very, very naughty you have been, I
shall not kiss you tonight"
She stood looking at me, astonishment per-
souihed, with her great mOurnful eyes wide
open. l suppose she had forgotten her mis-
conduct tin then and left her with her big
tears dropping down her cheeks, and her lip,
quivering. Presently / was sen. for-ssO
mamma, you wiz kiss me; can'tgo to sleep
II you don't, /" she sobbed, every tone Of her
voice trembling, as she held out her hand
Now came the struggle between love and
what 1 falsely termed duty. Ny 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 remember how often I
had thanked my mother since for her straight
forward course. knelt BY her bed and Ehts-
pered, 'sMother can't kiss you, Ellen. . though
the words seemed 10 choke me. Her hand
touched mine, Il was very hot, but l attributed
It to her excitement. blamed myself as the
fragile form shook with suppressed sobs, and
saying, Mother hopes Ellen wiz mind her
better after this, p left the room for the night.
I It might have been about midnight when
was awakened BY the nurse. Apprehensive.
ran 70 the child's chamber. had fearful
dream. Ellen did not know me. She was
sitting up, erimsoned from the forehead to the
throat, her eyes 90 bright that almost drew
back aghast. From that night raging fever
drank up her life-and what do you think was
the incessant plant poured into my snguishiag
heartl "Ohi kiss me, mother, do kiss me.
can't go to sleep. won't be naughty If y5u'u
kiss ne. OH kiss me, dear mamma. can't
go TO sleep"
Holy little child; she did 90 to sleep one
gray morning, and never woke agafn-no,
never. Her hands were locked IN mine, and
all my veins icy with Its gradual chill
Family the light faded out in the beautiful
eyes-Whiter and whittier grew the treUulous
lips. She never knew me; but with her last
breath she whispered, 81 win be good, mother,
if you win only forgive ae.'
Kiss her! God knows how passionate and
nnavailing were my kisses on 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 life could
have asked forgiveness Of that sweet child
We'll, grief is unayailing now. She lies IN
her little tomb; there is marble urn at her
head and rose-bash at her feet-there grow
sweet summer flowers, there waves the gentle
grass, there birds sing their mathis and vespsrs,
there the blue sky shOns down to-day, there
hes the freshness Of my heart.
Parents, you should lave heard the pathos
in the voice Of that cad mother as she said.
There ara plants that spring into great vigor
If the heavy pressure of footstsp crush them;
butoEs there are others that even the pearls Of
the light dew bend to the earth" Mothers
and fathers, be kind to the HEtle ones. Do net
wait tin the daisies grow over their bosoms BE-
fore you learn to ehide them in love. Kiss
them before you strike them By and b. you
must leave them; but leave no thorns II their
memory -RaIrs Josrna. Of Bsalh.