Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-05-22
Tho Mothers Remorse.

The child was SO sensitive, 80 like that
little shrinking plant, that curls ut the
breath and shuts its heart from the light.
The only beauties she possessed were On
exceedingly transparent skin, and mournful
blue eyes. had been trained by stern,
strict, conscientious mother. was q
hardy plant, rebounding at overy shock;
misfortune could not daunt, though disoi-
pline tanned me. I fancied, olasl that I
must 90 through tho same routine with
this delicate creature; so one day, when
she had displeased me exceedingly by re-
peating tho offeuse, 1 was determined to
punish her severely. was very serious
couch, said:
"Now, my daughter, to punish you, and
show you how very, very naughty you have
been, shall not kiss you tonight"
Sho stood looking at me, astonishmcnt
personifod, with her great mournful eyes
wide open. I suppose she had forgotten
hor misconduct till then; and l left her
with big tears dropping down her cheeks,
and her lip quivering. Presently I was
sent for-"O mammal! you will kiss me;
can't 60 to sleep if you DON'T" she sobbed,
every tone of her voice trembling, as she
held out her hand.
Now came tho struggle between love and
what falsely termed duty. My heart said,
Give Ter the kiss Of peace; my stern
nature urged me to persist in my correction,
that might impress the fault upon the
mind. That is tho way I have been
trained until was submissive child, and
remember how often I had thanked nv
mother since for her straightforward course.
knelt by her bed and whispered, "Mother
can't kiss you, Ellen" though tho words
seemed to choke me. Her hand touched
minc; it was very hot; but attributed it
to her excitement. [ blamed myself, rs the
fragile form shook with suppressed sobs;
and saying, "Alothcr hopes Ellen will mind
her better after this" loft the room for tho
night
1t might have been about midnight whom
was awakened by tho nurse. Approhen-
sive, ran to the ohild's chamber. I had
q foarful dream. Ellen did not know me.
She was sitting up, orimsonod from the
forehead to the throat; her eyes 20 bright
that I almost drew back aghast at the
glance. From that night raging fever
drank up her iife--and what do you think
was the incessent plant poured into nv
anguishing heart? ooh! kiss mo, mother,
do kiss me. I ca can't go to sleep. Yon'li
kiss your little Ellen won't you? ]. can't
go to'sleop. ! won't bo naughty if you'll
kiss mo. ROh! kiss mo, dear mamma. I
can't 60 to'sloep."
Holy little child, sho did 60 to sleep one
gray morning, and never woke again.-no
noyer Her hand was locked in mino, and
all my veins 10y with its gradual chill.
Family tho light faded out in the beautiful
eyes--whiter and whittier grew the tromu-
lous lips. She neyer knew me; but with
hcr last breath she whispered: "I will be
good, mother, if you will only forgive NO."
Kiss hcr! God knows how passionate
and unavailing wero my kisses on her check
after that fatal night. God knows how
wild were my prayers, chat she might know,
1t only onco, that would have yielded up
my life could have asked forgiveness Of
that sweet child.
Well, grief is unavailing now. She lies
in hor littlo tomb; there is marble urn at
her head, and roso bush at her feet
there grow, sweet summon flowers; there
waves tho gontle grass; there birds sing
their mathis and vespors; there tho blue sky
shone down to day, and there lies. the
freshness Of my heart.
Parents, you, should have heard the
pathos in tho voice Of that sad mother as
she said: "There are plants that spring
into great vigor If tho heavy pressure of
iootstep crush them; but OH thore arc
others that oven tho pearls Of the light dew
bend to the EARTH" Mothers and fathers,