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Temperance

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Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 11, 1880

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 6, No. 42.

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Temperance.

NOT FIT TO BE KISSED.

"WHAT ails papa's mouf?" said a sweet little girl, Her bright laugh revealing her teeth white as pearl; "I love him, and kiss him, and sit on his knee, But the kisses don't smell good when he kisses me!"
"But mamma"—her eyes opened wide as she spoke— "Do you like nasty kisses of 'bacco and smoke? They might do for boys, but for ladies and girls I don't think them nice," as she tossed her bright curls.
"Don't nobody's papa have moufs nice and clean? With kisses like yours, mamma—that's what I mean? I want to kiss papa, I love him so well, But kisses don't taste good that have such a smell!"
"It's nasty to smoke, and eat 'bacco and spit, And the kisses aint good, and aint sweet, not a bit!" And her blossom-like face wore a look of disgust As she gave out her verdict so earnest and just.
Yes, yes, little darling! your wisdom has seen, That kisses for daughters and wives should be clean, For kisses lose something of nectar and bliss From mouths that are stained and unfit for a kiss.