Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, D.T. [N.D.]) 1875-1878, 1878-04-19
How Rickie Saved her Father.

/ GA little Girl can be a great comfort tc
tired, discouraged father,' said the
teacher. ''Perhaps father is cross and
out OF sorts. Don't kee? away from him
but put your arms around his neck. Bring
him cup of hot coffee and dry shoes and
you will help and comfort him. 49,.
Rickie was little German girl, who
had only two bright things IN her life
her little baby brother and her Sunday
afternoons at the school. Rickie's father
was often cross, for he took the terrible
fire water that burns up mans kind,
gentle feelings. There was an excuse,
too, for Jim Hascup, for his wife was un.
tidy and careless, and the home was no
pleasant place for him 10 stay in: Is
"Ill try to do what teacher said" Rick
lie thought, as she tramped home through
the mud. s'Pil make him some. coffee,
and, l II see if I can't comfort him. -
Rickie soon had chance to try her new
plan, for that very Sunday afternoon her
father came home long before his usual
time. He was very cross, but he was
sober, for he had no money to pay for
liquor, and the man at the Corners had
refused tc trust him. only wish the
man would never. trust any one. The
father threw himsel in chair by. the
stove and looked round. :'Stop that
racket" he growled, as the little ones
romped about sr.s..ts "a, b.. -..s.s fl, .
CHOW, see here" said Rickie, if You'll
hold Tommy for me, 10, I'll make coffee
and give you some, and sing the new
hymn learned to-day"
Rickie's singing was always a great
delight to the little ones, SO they sat quite
still watching her preparations First she
washed the old coffee pot very carefully
and then, while the coffee boiled, tried to
make some little order in the room. Poor
child! She put sheet on the table to
cover up the dirt, and rubbed the cracked
cups with her apron, and then, laying
her hand on her fathers shoulder (iust
think, she was afraid he might strike hery
she said, "Come and take cup Of coffee,
father. It'll comfort you. Will you mind
my singing'"
''Sing away" growled Jim; but he liked
the little hand on his shoulder, and the
coffee tasted better than the whisky they
sold at the Corners. Rickie took Tommy
in her arms and sang her new hymn
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching on, Marching on;
and then 10 teased her for
o father, dear father! come home with me now.
RiCkie was almost afraid to sing it, for
fear her father would not like it, but by
this time he was drinking his third cup
of Rickie'S coffee, and SAID, "Sing ahead,
girl, guess it 'ud be better If more ofus
fathers did come home earlier
Rickic sang the whole song-you know
it, don't you? ?-and then put the children
to bed. She washed the dishes carefully,
and, resolving not to be afraid Of her
father, who had sat by the stove with his
head resting on his hand, she drew low
chair close 10 him and waited for her to
come home, for Mrs. IIascup had gone
out to some neighbors'.
"Rickie, girl, / guess you'd like it if
father was home more:" said her father
in strange sort Of voice--quite kind
voice.
80 father. please father!" but Rlckle
couldn't say any more, only she put both
arms around his neck and laid her face
on his shoulder.
."There, there, child, don't cry. Treat
me like you've done tonight and I'll not
ask for any more trust at the Corners. I
was mad enough not to get my drink to-
night; but the coffee was better-the cot
fee was better"
That was the beginning OF brighter
days IN Rickie's home. Though the place
is still very far from clcan-for a little
girl Of twelve years cannot Go everything
yet there is always sorrr. .i5ot coffee for
ing. ~
"Do you know Jim's signed the pledge::'"
asked neighbor Of the bartender at the
Corners a few weeks after that. "Well,
declare! l wonder what's come over
him.
Rirk1e coyeI hin, Tile ByUvcr