The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-02-22
KISS AiE. MAMMA"
4 Mothers Mistake and the Price She
Paid for 1t.

The child was so sensitive, so like that
little shrinking plant that curls At
breath and shuts its heart from the light
The only beauties she possessed were an
exceedin Sly transparent skin and the most
mournful, large blue eyes.
had been trained by a very stern, strict.
conscientious mother, but was hardy
plant, rebounding after every shock; mis-
fortune could not daunt, though diSci-
piine tanned me. faneied, alas that /
must go through the same routine with
this delicate creature; as one day when
she had displeased me exceedingly by re-
peatiug an ofense. / was determined to
punish her severely. ! was very serious
all day. and upon sending her 10 her little
couch 1 said:
Now, my daughter, TO punish you, and
show yoI how very, very naughty you
have been, l shall net kiss you tonight"
She stood looking at me, astonishment
personifed, with her mournful eyes wide
open-I suppose she had forgotten her
misconduct till then, and left her with
big tears dropping down her checks and
her little red lips quivedng.
Presently ! WAS sent for. "Oh, man.
ma, YOU VIII kiss me; l can't go to sleep
ifyou DON'T" she sobbed, every tone of
her voice trembling; and she held out her
little hands.
Now came Tne SIru B1le DSIWccn 4OFt ana
Whist I falsely termed duty. My heart
said give her the kiss of peace; my stern
nature argcd me to persist in my correc-
ton that I might impress the fault upOa
her mind That was the way had been
trained, till / was a most submissive
child; and l remembered how had often
thanked r,lyInother since for her straight
forward course.
l knelt BIZ the bedside. Mother can't
kiss YOU, Elem" l whispered, though
every word clicked me. Her hand touched
mine; il was very hot, but 1 attributed it
to her excitement. She turned her little
cyriev.nc face to the wall; / blamed my
self rs the fragile form shook with self
Suppressed sobS, and crying, Mother
hopes little Ellen viii learn to mind her
after this left the room for the night.
Ala, in ~ desire to be severe forgot 20
be forgiving.
1t must have been twelve O'Clock when
was awakened by my nurse. ApprcheB-
sive. rzl eagerly TO the child's chamber;
l had had = fearful dream
Ellen did not know ME. She was sitting
up, crimsoneI from forehead TO throat;
her eyes so bright that l almost drew
back aubast at their glancee.
From that night u raging fever drank
up her life: and what think you was the
| incessant Plaiat that poured into my am
guished heart'
"Oh, kiss me, mamma, DO kiss me; l
can't 20 to sleep. You kiss your
little Ellen, mamma, won't yous / can't
20 10 sleep. / won't be naughty II you'li
only kiss me! Oh, kiss me, dear mamma.
can't 20 40 sleep"
Holyli,tIc angel she did so to sleepOne
gray morning and she never woke again.
never Her hand was locked III mine and
all nv veins grew icy with its gradual
chill Family the light faded ont o. the
beautiful ewes; whittier and wiiitar grew
the tremulous lips. She never IN W me;
but with her last breath she whispered,
Il Will be good, mamma, if only you'll
! kiss me-" =
Kiss her, God knows how passionate,
! but unavailiu-, were my kisses upon her
cheek and lips after that fatal night. God
knows how Wild were my prayers that
she m ght know, II but only once, that /
kissed her. God knows how would have
yielded up my very life could / have asked
forgiveness of that sweet child.
! Well, grief is unavailing nowl She lies
In her little tomb; there T. n marble urn
at her head and q 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 10 day and there lies
| buried thefreshness Of my heart.-Lsdie.'
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