Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-05-15
Clean Hands, Pure Lips.

"Whv didn't you strike back YOU goosie p
paused in my sewing. and looked ou
unobserved upon a group of little folks play
ing near my windows. One child was run
ming away RAPIDLY, the others stood besid,
little Amy Horton. who gazed ruefullv a
her own fat hand and tried hard not to cry
Such lh'e girl was Amy The only chil(
of Young widow but lately moved int
our village.
| listened for the answer with interest.
"Cause-'cause-my mamma would
wouldn't kiss my hands-if I-struck any
body !" sobbed the injured little one, rub
bing the red hand with the other plumr
white one, evidently quite hurt both in flesh
and feelings.
"Wouldnt kiss your hands ~ exclaimed
her listeners wonderingly. "What do you
mean, Amy? What queer idea ''
was as much interested as either of the
children, and peeping through the vines
clustering about the window, quite safe from
childish observation, | listened for Amv's
explanation.
"Mamma always kisses nv hands when
they haven't been naughty, and it is naughty
to strike. That little girls mamma won't
kiss her hands tonight, will she ?" Amy's
blue eyes looked mp into the faces around
her. and full of wonderment at her words.
the sympathetic children kissed and pitied
her to her hearts content.
Then I went out and talked to the little
one, with new respect for the pure mother
whom more than ever | desired to know.
"Will you take me to your house, dear p
| asked, Offering my hand with a smile, and
STOPPING to kiss the small greved face.
60 Mrs. -" cried the children in
chorus, "what do you think That Sallie
Jones struck Amy real hard on her arm and
hand Just because-because Amy didn't
want to walk with her Wasn't it the
meanest thing? ?"
agreed rather Indignantly that it was
the meanest thing, and then we walked
along the pleasant road to where Amv's
mother lived At my suggestion the chill.
dren remained outside while I made my
long.intended call upon Mrs. Horton. After
awhile I repeated Amy's remark, and asking
pardon for curiosity, begged to know more
about the sweet idea. Mrs. Horton laughed.
but saw the glistening of tears in her eyes
as she replied:
"Maybe am foolish, Mrs -, but ever
since my little one was given me I have
loved to kiss the little baby hand as well as
the baby lips. used to lay the soft little
pink palms upon my mouth and kiss them
till my baby laughed.
As she grew older | still kept up the
custom, and when night came and undress-
ing her failed TO kiss the little hands, Amy
knew that it was because they were not
quite clean from naughtiness. If they had
been lifted in anger during the day, if they
had struck at nursie or little playmate,
mamma could not kiss them because they
were not clean And to miss the kiss was
very hard for my baby, assure you. 1t was
the same with the little lips. If naughty
word had escaped them-I mean wafdiy
naughty words-or if my little girl had not
spoken quite the truth during the day.
could not kiss the lips although | ARRAYS
kissed her on cheeks aud forehead, never al
lowing her to go unk'isSed to bed. But she
cared more for kisses on hands and lips than
anything else in the world, | believe; my
loving little Amy And gradually the
naughty ways were done away with, and
each night my baby would say, Tedr
hannies tonight, mamma Team hannie.
for 90 to tiss =
And even now-though she is five year:
old keep up custom which she ha,
known from her birth, because | think il
helps her try to be good. You will laugh
maybe, Mrs. -, but | do want my little
girl to grow up pure and sweet and if IT,,
love of mammals kisses can keep, by Cod
help, the little hands, lips aud heart clean
| think | shall continue the custom unit
Amy is old enough to understand fully thing
too hard for her as yet."- Wide A rake.