The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-21
"KIss ME, MAMMA. CAN'T SLEEP.
The Pathetic Cry of a Sweet Child WI
Pleaded Piteously and Then Died.

The Pathetic Cry of a Sweet Child VIII
Pleaded Piteously and Then Died.
From the Ladies' Home Journal
The child was so sensitive, so like thi
little shrinking plant that curls alta breat
and shuts its heart from the light.
The only beauties she possessed were q
exceedingly transparent skin and the mo
mournful, large blue eyes.
had been trained by very sterI
strict, conscientious mother, but l was
hardy plant, rebounding after every shocl
misfortune could not daunt, though disc
pline tanned me. / fancied, alas! that
must go. through the same routine wit
this delicate creature; as one day who
she had displeased me exceedingly by r
peating an ohense. was determined
punish her severely. / was very serioI
all day, and upon sending her TO her lit
couch, / said: snow, my daughter,
punish you and show you how very, vel
naughty you have been, shall not XII
you tonight"
She stood looking at me, astonishme|
personifed, with her great mournful cyl
wide open-I suppose she had forgottd
her misconduct till then, and / left b
with big tears dropping down her cheel
and her little lips quivering.
Presently was sent for. ooh MANN
you will kiss me; l can't 90 to sleep II "
| don't" she sobbed, every tone OF b
voice trembling; and she held out her 1
tie hands.
Now came the struggle between loI
and what / falsely termed duty. N
heart said give her the kiss OF peace; N
stern nature urged me b. persist in n
correction that l might impress the fai
upon her mind. That was the way h;
been trained till i was most submissi
child; and remembered how had oft,
thanked my mother since for her straigl
forward course.
knelt by the bedside. "Mother eau
kiss you, Elem" / whispered, thou
every word choked me- Her hand touch
mine; IL was very hot, but attributed
to her excitement. She turned her lit
grieving face TO the wall | blamed mysl
as the fragile form shook with self-srI
pressed sobs, and crying, "Mother hop
little Ellen will learn to mind her aft
1 this" left the room for the night. Ala
in my desire 10 be severe / forgot TO
forgiving.
II must have been ~ o'clock when | VI
awakened by my nurse. ApprehensiveI
ran eagerly TO the child's chamber; l hi
had fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me. She was sitti
up, crimsoned from the forehead TO d
throat; her eyes so bright that alm{
drew back aghast at their glanccs.
From that night raging fever drank
her life; and what, think you, was the |
ccssant plant that poured into my d
guished heart? ooh, kiss me, mamma,
kiss me; can't go to sleep. You'll X
your little Ellen, mamma, won't you?
can't 20 10 sleep. Iwon't he naughty
you'll only kiss mel Oh, kiss me, dd
mamma, can't 20 to sleepl"
Holy little angel she did 90 10 sic
one gray morning and she never wo
again, never. Her hand was locked
mine and all my veins grew icy with
gradual chill. Family the light faded q
OF the beautiful eyes; whittier and whit
grew the tremulous lips. She never kn,
me, but with her last breath she VIII
pered, 81 viii be good mamma, II on
you'll kiss me"
Kiss herr God knows how passionai
but unavailing, were my kisses upsh Il
cheek and lips after that fatal night. q
knows how wild were my players that $
might know, II but only once, that kiss
her. God knows how | would ha
yielded up my very life. could / have ask
forgiveness OF that sweet child.
Well, griefis unavailng nowl She u
in her little tomb; there is a marble urn
her head aud roscbush at her feet the
grows sweet summer flowers; there wa,
the gentle grass; there birds sing III,
mathis and vespers; there the blue 81
smiles down today and there lies burr
the freshness OF my heart.