I H E LAST KISS.
{"newspaper_name": "The Columbian fountain.", "edition": "01", "page": "p1", "byline": "BY MRS. SEBA SMITH."}
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6 ! was but FIVE years old when my mo-
ther died; but her last kiss is as fresh in my
mind, now that twenty years have elapsed,
as it was at the>time of her death remem-
ber her, as apale gentle being, with sweet
smile, and voice soft and cheerful when
she praised me; and when had erred-for
| was wild thoughtless cbiId-there was
trembling mildness about it, that always
went to my little heart. Methinks | can
now see her large blue eyes, moist with
sorrow, because of my childish wayward-
ness, and hear her repeat-'my child, how
can you grieve me so ,


She had for a long time been pale and
feeble, and sometimes there would come a
bright spot on her cheek which made her
look SO lovely, | thought she must be well.
But then she spoke Of dying, and pressed
me to her bosom, and told me to be good
when she was gone, and to love my father
great deal, for he would have none else
to love.


!" recollect she was i'll all day, and my
little hobby horse and whip were laid aside,
and tried to be very quiet. did not see
her for the whole day, and it seemed very
long. AT night they told me my mother
was too sick to kiss me, as she always
used to do, before went to bed, and
must go without. But could not, stole
into the room, and laying my lips close to
hers, whispered


aMother, dear mother, won't you kiss
me." Her lips were very cold, and when
she put her hand upon my cheek, and laid
nv head in her bosom, felt cold shud-
dering pass through me.


"My father carried me from the room,
but he could not speak. After they put me
in bed, lay long while thinking; feared
nv mother would indeed die, for her cheeks
felt as cold, as my little sisters did, when
she died, and they carried her little body
away where never saw it again. But ]
soon fell asleep, as children will.


"In the morning frushed to my mother.
room, with strange dread of evil to come
upon me. 1t was just as ! feared. There
was the white linen, over the straight, cold
bed. tore it aside.


There was the hard cheek, the closed
eyes, the stony brow But, thank God, my