Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-15
Che family Cirtle.
Clean Hands, Pure Lips.

"Why didn't you strike back, you
goose?
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 rue
fully at her own fat hand and tried hard
not to cry. Such a little girl was Amy!
The only child of ia young widow but late
ly moved into our village.
Of Mrs. Horton, we, the people of B
knew rs yet nothing; save that since by
manners we usually judge, she was lady
in every spect-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 five-year-old stranger.
What could be the trouble now, won
dered, seeing Amy's flushed face and
catching the scowl on the brow of the
questioner, who asked, " Why didn't you
strike back again?
listened to the answer with interest.
"'Cause-' cause-mv mamma would
NOuIuIl MISC Ill II olluCh any
body sobbed'the injured little one, rub
bling the red hand with the plump white
one, evidently quite hurt both in flesh and
feelings.
"Wouldn't kiss your hands F." exclaimed
her listners, wopderingly. What do
you mean, Amy? What queer idea. "
| was us much interested as either of
the children, and peeping through the
vines clustering about the window, quite
safe from childish observation, | listened
for Amy's explanation.
Mamma always kisses nv hands
when they haven't been naughty, and it's
naughty to strike. That little girls mann
ma won't kiss her hands tonight, will
she?" Amy's blue eyes looked up into
the faces around her, and full of wonder
ment ut her words the sympathetic chill
dren kissed and pitied her to her hearts
content.
Then | went out and talked to the little
one, with new respect for the pure moth
er whom more than ever, l desired to
know.
Will you take me to your house,
dear?" | asked, Offering my hand with Il
smile, and STOPPING to kiss the small,
greived face.
Oh, Mis-" cried the children in
a chorus, what do you think? That
Sally Jones struck Amy real hard on the
arm and hand Just because Amy didn't
want to walk with her! Wasn't it the
meanest thingw
Iagreed rather Indignantly, that it was
the meanest thing, and then we walked
along the road to where Amy's mother
lived. At my suggestion the children re-
manned outside, while | made my long in
tended call upon Mrs. Horton. After
awhile | repeated Amy's remark, and ask
ing pardon for my curiosity, begged to
know more about the sweet idea. Mrs. |
Horton laughed, but saw the glisten of
tears in her eyes as she REPLIED
" Maybe am foolish, Mis-, but
ever since my little one was given me | |
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
As she grew older still kept up the
,ustom,and when night came and undress-
ng her | failed to kiss the little hands.
Amy knew that it was because they were
lot quite clean from naughtiness. IF
hey had been lifted in anger during the
lay. if they had struck at nurse, or Il little
playmate, mamma could not kiss them.
because they were not clean. And TO
Mss the kiss was very hard for nv baby
assure you. 1t was the same with the
little lips. lfa naughty word had escaped
hem-l mean willfully naughty words
or if my little girl had not spoken quite
he truth during the day, could not kiss
he lips; although always kissed her on
Ter cheeks and forehead, never ALLOWING
Ter to 60 unkissed to bed. But she cared
more for kisses on hands and lips than for
nything else in the world, believe nv
owing little Amy! And gradually the
'aughty words were done away with, and
ach night my baby would say, Team han
lies tonight, mamma; team hannies for
90 TO tiss!
And even now,-though she is five
ears DID, keep up my custom which
he has known from her birth, because I
hlnk it helps her to try to be good. You
will laugh maybe, Mrs. - but 7 do
want my little girl to grow up pure and
weet; and if the love of mammals kisses
an keep, by Gods help, the little hands
ps and heart clean, think | shall con-
nue. the custom until Amy is old enough
fully understand things that are too
ard for her rs yet
My own eyes were fearful when Mrs.
lortons sweet voice ceased, and cnvied t
tile Amy her beautiful young mothers i
ompanonship. Did think it foolish
LEAP All. no indeed! But the truest a
Neetest custom in the world-keepinc t
er small hands clean for mammals good.
lsht kiss; and that is why Sally Jones
as not " paid in her own coin, " as the
lying is. That is why the sweet lips :
'ade no angry reply. Mammals kiss was 7
70 precious thing to be given up for one
loment OF evil speaking. Dear little