The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1888-09-11
''AISS VIE. SsANNA. CAN'T
Ss.EEls.''


|
Pleaded HiteOu-iy and tla err 7bieh.''
The child was 80 sensitive, so like that
little shrinking plant that curls at the
breath and shuts its heart from the light.
The only beauties she possessed were
an eXcee ingly transparent skin and the
most mourntul, large blue eyes.
| had been trained by IA very stern,
strict, conscientious mother, but | was a
hardy plant, rebounding after every
shock misfortune coull not daunt,
though discipline tanned me. iancicd,
alas. that | must 90 through the same
routine with this delicate creature; as one
day when she had dspleasel me exceed
ingIy by repeating an offence, was de-
termincd to punish her severely. | 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, | shall not kiss you Tonight"
She stood loking at me, astonishmcnt
perSonltied, with her great mournful eyes
wide open-l suppose she had forgotten
her misconduct till then, and | left her
with big tears dropping down her cheeks
aud her little red lips quvering.
| ltStHl'N W 'iS SClt l'i. OIl, uldtIl-
ma, You will kiss me: can't go to sleep
if you don't" she sobbed, every tone Of
her voice trembling, and she h. d ont her
little hands.
Now came the struggle between love
and what | falsely termed duty. Nv
heart said give her the kiss of peace; my
stern nature urged me to persist in nv
correction that might impress the fault
upon her mind. That was the way | had
been trained. till was most submissive
child and remembered how had often
thanked my mother since for her straight
forward course
/ knet by the bedside. Mother
can't 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 Selt-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 twelve O'Clock when
| was awakened by my nurse. Appre-
hensivc, | ran eagerly to the child's
chamber; had fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me. She was sit
ting up, crimsoned from the forehead to
the throat her eyes so bright that
almost drew back aghast at their gances.
From that night raging fever drank
up her life; and what think you was the
incessant paint that poured into my an
guished heart? "Oh, kiss me, mamma,
do kiss me; | can't go to sleep. | won't
be naughty if youth only kiss me! Oh,
kiss me, dear mamma, | can't 90 to
sleep"
Holy little angel! she did go to 81, ep
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
winter grew the tremulous lips. She
never knew me; but with her last breath
she whispered, II will be good, mamma,
If only you'll kiss me"
Kiss her God knows how passionate,
but uuavailing 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 l would
have yielded up my very life, could
have asked forgiveness of that sweet child.
Well, grief is unavaiing now! She
lies in her little tomb There is a marble
urn at her head, and rosebush at her
feet; there grows sweet summer flowers
there waves the gentle grass there birds
sing their mathis and vespers; there the
lies buried the freshness of my heart
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