The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-07-13
NUMBER 20.
''Kiss Me, Mamma, | Can't sIeep. y

J1adleS Home Journol u
The child was so sensitive. so like
thatlittle shrinking plant that curls
at breath and shuts its heart from
The light. The only beauties She
possessed were an exceedingly
transparent skin and the most
laournful, large blue eyes.
l had been trained by a verv
stern, strict, conscientiuos mother,
but l was a hardy plant, rebound.
ing alter every shock; misfortune
could not daunt, though discipline
tanned me. l fahcied alas, that |
must go through the same routine
with this delicate creature; as one
day when she had displeased me
exceedingly by repeating an of.
tense, | was determined to punish
her severely. | was very serjous
all day, and upon sending her 10
her little couch, | said /: ''Now, nv
daughter, to punish you and show
you how very, very naughty YOU
nave been, shall not kiss YOU to.
night"
She stood looking at me, aston.
lShment personfed, With her great
mournful eyes wide open-I SUP.
pose she had forgotten her niscon.
duct I'LL then, and | left her with
big tears dropping down her cheeks
and her little lips quiverlng.
Presently | was sent for ooh.
mamma, you viii kiss me / can't
go TO sleep If you dont!" she Sob
bed, every tone of her voice trem-
ping, and she held out her little
hands.
Now, came the struggle between
love and what | falsely termed
duty. My heart said: Give her the
KISS the peace. My stern nature
urged me to persist in my correc-
ton that | might impress The fault
upon her mind, That was the way
had been trained till was most
submissive child; and | remem.
bered how | had often thanked nv
mother since for her straightfor-
ward course.
l knelt by he bedside. "Mother
can't kiss you, Ellen,' | whispered,
.hough every word choked me.
her hand touched mine; it was
very hot, but | attributed it TO her
excitement She turned her little
growing face TO the wall; | blam-
I'd myself as the fragile form shook
With selt-suppressed sobs, and cry
ng, "Mother hopes little Ellen will
earn to mind her after this" left
lie room for the night. Alas in
ny desire to be severe | forgot TO
'e f0rgiving.
1t must have been u o'clock
'henl was awakened by my nurse.
Apprehensive, | ran eagerly to the
hild's chamber; l had had a fear.
ii dream. his -aF
Ellen did not know me. She was
Itting up, crimsoIed from the fore.
cad TO the throat her ewes so
right that | almost drew back
ghast at their glances.
From that night a raging fever
rank up her life and what, think
0u, was the Incessant plant that
lured into my anguished heart ?"
IN, Kiss me, mamma, do kiss me;
can't go TO sleep! You'll Kiss
'ur little Ellen, mamma, won't
N! | can't go 10 sleep. | won't
naughty if you'll only kiss me!
/, kiss me, dear mamma, | can't
to sleep!"
holy little angel she did go TO
ep one gray morning and she
yer woke again-never. Her
nd was locked in mine and all
veins grew icy with It's gradual
IL. Family the light faded out
the beautiful eyes; whittier and
Tier grew The tremolous Gps.
never knew me, but with her
/ breath she whispered, Il will
good, mamma, if only you'll
) me-"
Alss her God knows how pas
nate, but unavaIllng, were nv
'es upon her cheek and lips af-
that fatal night. God knows
| would have yielded up my
y life could l have asked for.
aness Of tllGt sweet child.
Veil, grief is unavalling now.
lies in her little tomb; there
marble urn at her head and a
sbush at her feet; there grow
ct summer flowers there
res the gentle grass; there birds
their mains and vespers
re the blue sky smiles down to-
, and there lies buried the
hness of my heart.