The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-26
kiss ME, MAMMA, I CAN'T SLEEP. "
The Pathetic Cry of a Sweet Child Who
Pleaded Piteously and Then Died.

The Pathetic Cry of a Sweet Child Who
Pleaded Piteously and Then Died.
From the Ladies' Home Journal
The child was so sensitive, so like that
little shrinking plant that curls at the
breath and shuts it's heart from the light
The only beauties she possessed were an
exceedingly transparent skin and the most
mournful, large blue eyes.
| had been trained by a very stern, strict,
conscientious mother, but | was hardy
plant, reboundlng after every shock; mis-
fortune could not daunt, though discipline
tanned me. l fancied, alas that | mist go
through the same routine with this delicate
creature; as one day when she had dis
pleased me exceedingly by repeating an Of
fence, l was determined to punish her Sc
verely. | was very serious all day, and
upon sending her to her little couch [ SAID:
Now, my daughter, to punish you, and
show you how very, very naughty you
have been, l shall not kiss you tonight"
She stood locking at me, astonishment
personltled, with her great mournful eyes
wide open-I suppose she had forgotten her
misconduct till then, and left fer with big
tears dropping down her cheeks and her
little red lips quivering.
Presently l was sent for. ooh, mamma,
you will kiss me; can't go to sleep if you
trembling, and she held out her little hands
Now came the struggle between love aud
what 1 falsely termed duty. My heart said
give her the kiss OF peace; my stern nature
urged me to persist in my correction that |
might impress the fault upon her mind
That was the way had beeu trained, till
was most submissive child; and | remem-
bered how had often thanked my mother
since for her straightforward course
| k1lalf nv fhn ha1ciJa GGlfDfhan 10
kiss you, Ellen" whispered, though every
word choked me. Her hand touched mine !;
it was very hot, but | attributed it to her
excitement She turned her little grieving
face to the wall; | blamed myself as the
fragile form shook with self-suppressed
sobs, and crying, mother hopes little Ellen
will learn to mind her after this" left the
room for the night. Alas in my desire to
be severe | forgot to be forgiving.
1t must have been II o'clock when | was
awakened by my nurse. Apprehensive, |
ran eagerly to the child's chamber; [ had
had fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me. She was sitting
up, crlms0ned from the forehead to the
throat; her eyes so bright that l almost
drew back aghast at their glances.
From that night raging fever drank up
her life; and what think you was the in
cessant plant that poured into my anguished
l can't go to sleepl You'll kiss your little
Ellen, mamma, won't you | can't go to
sleep. 1 won't be naughty if you'll only
kiss mel Oh, kiss me, dear mamma, can't
go to sleep"
Holy little angel she did go to sleep one
gray morning and she never woke again,
never. Her hand was locked in mine and
all my veins grew icy with its gradual chill.
Family the light faded out of the beautiful
eyes; whittier and whittier grew the tremu-
lous lips. She never knew me; but with
her last breath she whispered, 81 will be
good, mamma, if only you'n kiss me-"
Kiss her! God knows how passionate,
but unavailing were my kisses upon her
| cheek and lips after that fatal night. God
knows how wild were my prayers that she
might know. if but only once, that kissed
her. God knows how [ would have yielded
up my very life, could l have asked for
giveneSS of that sweet child.
Well, grief is unavailing now! She lies
in her little tomb. There is a marble urn
at her head and a rosebush at her feet
there grow sweet summer flowers; there
waves the gentle grass: there birds sing
their mathis and vespers; there the blue
sky smiles down to-day, and there lies
buried the freshness of my heart.