Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1878-06-06
Clean Hands. Pure Lips.

SOOSles
paused in my sewing and looked
out unobserved upon group of little
folks playing near my window. One
child was running away rapidly, the others
stood beside little Amy Horton, who
gazed ruetully at her own fat hand and
tried hard not to cry. Such little girl
was Amy! The only child of a young
widow but lately moved into our village.
OF Mrs Horton, we, the people of
R, knew, as yet, nothing, save, that,
since by manners we usually Judge, she
was lady in every respect, gentle, quiet
and refined. had not yet given myself
the pleasure of calling upon the new
neighbor. Little Amy, however, child
fashion, had soon grown familiar with
the children of the neighborhood. and
they had made pet very quickly of the
sweet tive-year-old stranger.
What could be the trouble now,
wondered, seeing Amy's flushed face and
catching the scowl ON the brow of the
questioner, who asked, Why didn't you
strike back again?"
l listened for an answer with interest.
''Cause-cause-my mamma would
wouldn't kiss my hands-lf struck
anybody r sobbed the injured little one,
rubbing the red hand with the other
plump white one, evidently quite hurt
both in flesh and feelings.
"Wouldn't kiss your hands!" exclaimed
her listeners wonderingly. "What do you
mean, Amy2 What queer idea!'
was as much interested as either of
the children. and, peeping through the
vines clustering about the window, quite
for Amys explanation.
"Mamma always kisses my hands
when they haven't been naughty, and it
is naughty to strike. That little girls
mamma won't kiss her hands tonight,
will shea" Amv's blue eyes looked up in
to the faces around her, and, full of won
derment at her words, the sympathetic
children kissed and pitied her to her
hearts content.
Then l went out and talked to the lit
one, with new respect for the pure mo-
Their whom more than ever | desired to
know. evil You take me to your house
dear?" I asked, offering my hand with a
smile, and STOPPING to kiss the small
grieved face.
90! Mrs., cried the children in
chorus, "what do you think! That Sal
lie Jones struck Amy real hard on her
arm and hand just because Amy didn't
want to walk with her! Wasn't it the
naeaneSt thing5"
I agreed rather Indignantly that it aoGs
the meanest thing, and then we walked
along the road 10 where Amy's mother
lived. At my suggestion the children
remained outside while I made my long
intended call upon Mrs. Horton. After
awhile repeated Amy's remark, and
asking pardon for curiosity, begged to
know more about the sweet idea. Mrs.
Horton laughed, but saw the glisten of
tears in her eyes as she replied:
May be I am foolish, Mrs. --;
but ever since my little one was given me
I have loved to kiss the little baby hands
as we'll as the baby lips. | used
to lay the soft little pink palms upon my
mouth and kiss them till my baby
laughed.
GAS she grew older still kept up the
custom, and when night came and I'M
dressing her l failed to kiss the little
hands, Amy knew that 1t 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 a
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. It was tbs same with the
little lips. If a naughty word had escaped
,1oaar ,rsJf,,JIaI
or if my little girl had not spoken quite
the truth during the day, l would not
kiss the lips; although / aleoays kissed
her on cheeks and forehead, never allow.
| ing her to 60 ul1kissed to bed. But she
cared more for kisses on hands and lips
than for 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, Team hannies tonight
| mamma! Team hannies for 90 to tiss /
"And even ncw-though she is five
years old keep up custom which she
has known from her birth, because ]
think it helps her try to be good, Yor
will laugh, maybe, Mrs. -, but / d.
want my little girl to grow up pure and
| sweet; and II the love OF mammals kisses
can keep, by Gods help, the little hands
lips and heart, clean, think I shall con
tinue the custom until Army is ole
enough to understand fully things to-
hard for her has yet" sos
My own eyes were fearful when Mrs
Horizons sweet voice ceased, and 1 enviee
little Amy her beautiful young mother
companionship. Did I think it foolisl
idea? All, no indeed! But the truest
swee' est custom in the world-keepin.
her small hands clean for mammals good
night kiss; and that is why Sallie Jone
was not "paid in her own COIN" as th
saying is. That is why the sweet lip
made no angry reply. Mammals kis
was to precious thing to be given up 70
the qualification of one moment OF evi
speaking. Dear little Amy Mary q
Brine, IN Wide AaoGke.
A Marvellous EScaDe.