The Monitor., 1888-06-15
KISS ME-. MAMMA"
The Pathetic Cry of q Sweet child Wins
Pleaded in Vain.

Pleaded i'm Vain.
The child was so 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
exceedingly transparent skin and the most
mournfui, large blue eyes.
had been trained by very stern, strict
conscientious mother, but | was a hardy
plant, rebounding after every shock; mis-
fortune could not daunt, though discipline
tanned me. / faneied, alas that l must
go through the same routine with this del
ieate creature; as one day, when she had
displeased me exceedingly by repeating an
offence, ! was determined to punish her
severely. | was very serions all day, and
upon sending her to her little couch said
''Now, my daughter, to punish you, and
show how very, very naughty You have
been, | shall not kiss you tonight. .
She stood looking at me, astonishment
personifed, with her great mournful eyes
wide open-I suppose she had forgotten
her misconduct till then, and left her with
big tears dropping down her cheeks and
her little red lips quiverng.
Presently was sent for. "Oh, mamma,
you will kiss me; | can't go to sleep if yon
don't r she sobbed, every tone of her
voice trembling, and she held ont her lit
tie hands.
Now came the struggle between love and
what l falsely termed duty My heart
said give her kiss Of peace; my stern
nature urged me to persist in my corree-
tion that might impress the fault upon
her mind. This was the way / had been
traired, till | was most submissive child;
and remembered how had often thanked
my mother since for her straightforward
course.
knelt by the bedside Mother can't
kiss you, Eilen," | whispered, though
every word ehoked 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 my
self as the fragile form shook with self sup
pressed 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 70 o'clock when was
awakened by my nurse Apprehensive, l
ran eagerly to the child's chamber; / lad
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 I al
most drew back aghast at their glances.
From that night raging fever drank
up her life; and what think you was the
incessa plant that poured into my an
guished heart? "Oh, kiss me, mamma,
do kiss me; can't go to sleep l won I
be naughty if You'll only kiss me Oh,
kiss me, dear mamma, l 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 tremuioas lips. She never knew
me; but with her last breath she whis-
pered, Il will be good, mamma, if only
you'll kiss me-
Kiss her God knows how passionate
but unavailins were my kisses upon her
check 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 | have asked for
giveness of that sweet child.
Grief is nnavailing now She lies in
her little tomb. There is a marble arm at
the head and a rosebush at her feet; there
grow sweet summer flowers; there waves
the grass; there birds sing their mathis
and their yespers; there the blue sky
smiles down to-day, and there lies buried
the freshness of my heart.-Ladies' Home