Year: 1874

The child was so sensitive, so like the
little shrinking plant, that curls at the
breath and shuts its heart from the
light. The only beauty she possessed
was an exceedingly transparent skin,
and the most mournful blue eyes. ]
had been trained by stern, strict, con-
scientious mother. Twas a hardy plant,
rebounding at every shock misfortune
could not daunt though discipline
tanned me. l fancied, alas, that must
go through the same routine with this
delicate creature /; so one day when she
had displeased me exceedingly by re-
peating an offence, was determined to
punish her severely. was very serious
all day. and on sending her to her little
couch said:


sNow, my daughter, to punish you,
and show you how very, very naughty
you have been, 1 shall not kiss you
to, night"


She stood looking at me, astonish-
ment personifed, with her great mourn
full eyes wide open. 1 suppose she had
forgotten her misconduct till then and
l left her with her big tears dropping
down her cheeks, and her lip quivering
Presently l was sent for-'O mamma,
you will kiss me; can't go to sleep if
you DON'T" she sobbed, every tone of
her voice trembling, as she held out her
hand.


Now came the struggle between love
and what 1 falsely termed duty. Ny
heart said, give her the kiss of peace !;
my stern nature urged me to persist in
my correction, that L might impress the
fault upon her mind. That is the way
l had been trained until 1 was a sub
missive child, and l remember how
often l had thanked my mother since
for her straightforward course. knelt
by her bed and whispered, "Mother
can't kiss you, Ellen, though the words
seemed to choke me. Her hand touched
mine, it was very hot, but 1 attributed
it to her excitement. 1 blamed myself
as the fragile form shook with sup
pressed sobs. and saying, "Mother
hopes Ellen will mind her better after
this, left the room for the night.


1t might have been about midnight
when L was awakened by the nurse.
Apprehensivc, l ran to the child's
chamber. l had a fearful dream.
Ellen did not know me. She was sitting
up, crimsoned from the forehead to the
throat, her eyes so bright that almost
drew back aghast. From that night
raging fever drank up her life-and
what do you think was the incessant
complaint poured into my anguishing
heart? "Ohl kiss me, mother. do
kiss me. l can't go to sleep. Iwon't
be naughty if you'll kiss me. Oh ! kiss
me, dear mamma. / can't go to Sleep"


Holy little child she did go to sleep
one gray morning, and never woke again
no, never. Her hands were locked
il mine, and all my veins icy with the
gradual chill. Family the light faded
out in the beautiful eyes-whiter and
winter grew the tremulous lips. She
never knew me but with her last breath
she whispered, 81 will be good, mother,
if you will only forgive me-"


Kiss her God knows how passionate
and unavailing were my kisses on her
cheek after that fatal night. God knows
how wild were my prayers, that she
might know, if only once, that would
have yielded up my life could l have
asked forgiveness of that sweet child.


Well, grief is unavaiiing now. She
lies in her little tomb there is marble
urn at her head and a rose-bush at her
feet-there grow sweet summer flowers,
there waves the gentle grass, there
birds sing their mathis and vespers,
there the blue sky shone down to-day,
there lies the freshness of my heart.


Parents, you should have heard the
pathos in the voice of that sad mother
as she said "There are plants that
spring into great vigor if the heavy
pressure of footstep crush them; but
oh there are others that even the pearls
of the light dew bend to the earth.
Mothers and fathers, be kind to the
little ones. Do not wait till the daisies
grow over their bosoms before you
learn to chide them in love. Kiss them
before you strike them. By and by
you must leave them; but leave no
thOrns in their memcry.-HaWs Jour
nal of Health.