Nebraska advertiser., 1878-05-30
CLEAN HANDS, PURE LIPS.

"Why didn't you strike back, .ou
goosie p
paused in my sewing and loRed
out unobserved upon group of little
folks playing near my window. )ne
child was running away rapidly the
others stood beside little Amy Horbn,
who gazed ruefully at her own fat
hand and tried hard not to cry. Suo a
littIe girl was Amy! The only child
of young widow but lately moed
into our village.
Of Mrs. Horton, we, the peopl of
R, knew, as yet, nothing, ave
that. since by manners we nsully
judge, she was a lady In everyre-
spect, gentle. quiet, and refined 1
had not yet given myselfthe pleaare
of calling upon the new neighDor.
Little Amy, however, ohild-fashon.
had soon grown familiar with the
children of the neighborhood and
they had made pet very quiGly of
the sweet five-year-old stranger
What could be the trouble low, 1
wondered, seeing Amy's flushd face
and catching the scowl on the bow of
the questloner, who asked, why
didn't you strike back again?'
/ listened for the answer with in
terest.
"Cause -cause-my fnammaYould
wouldn't kiss my hands-f L
struck anybodyp sobbed the Injured
little one, rubbing the red hani with
the other plump white one, evidently
quite hurt both in flesh and feelings.
"Wouldn't kiss your hands" ex-
claimed her listeners, wonde.irgly.
"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 VIM
dow, quite safe from childish obser-
walton. l listened for Amy's ezplana-
tion.
Mamma always kisses my hands
when they haven't been naughty, and
1t Ia naughty to strike. That little
girls mamma won't kiss her hands
tonight, will she?
Amy's blue eyes looked up into the
faces around her, and, full of wonder
ment at her words, the sympathetic
children kissed and pittied her to her
hearts content.
Then I went out and talked to the
little ones, with a new respect for the
pure mother whom more than ever 1
desired to know.
"Will you take me to your house,
dear?' I asked, offering my hand with
a smile, and STOPPING to kiss the small
grieved face.
30! Mrs. - cried the children
in chorus, what do you think! That
Sallie Jones struck Amy real hard on
her arm and hand just because Amy
didn't want to walk with heri Was
MT 1t the n1edness thingP'
agreed rather Indignantly that 1t
Eods the meanest thing, and then we
walked along the pleasant road to
where Amy's mother lived. At my
suggestion the children remained out
side while 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. Hor-
on laughed, but saw the glisten of
ears In her eyes as she replied:
MAYBE 1 am foolish, Mrs. -;
,ut ever since my little one was given
ne have loved to kiss the little baby
lands as well as the baby lips. I used
o lay the soft little pink palms upon
ny mouth ard kiss them til my baby
aughed.
"As she grew older 1 st,ll kept up
he custom, and when night came and
nd undressing her l failed to kiss the
little hands, Amy knew that 1t was
eoause they were not quite clean from
If they, had been lifted
n anger during the cay. If they had
truck at nursie or little playmate,
mamma could not kiss them because
hey were not clean. And to miss
he kiss was very hard for my baby, I |
ssure you. 1t was the same with the
title lips. If a naughty word had es-
aped them-I mean ,cilfulIy naughty
7ords-or If my little girl had not
poken quite the truth during the day.
could not kiss the lips; although I |