River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-04-22
SUNSHINY TILDA.

~ HAhu hhiOu5h INC CiCNAtCS III lhC
wall chilled the weak little body, and
there was no warm covering upon I'll
da'S bed.
Tilda was hungry; though twas aft
er noon, she had not tasted food, and
her supper the evening before had been
cold boiled potatoes without salt or
pepper. But Tilda expected nothing;
it was no new experieace for this ten
year-old to be alone, cold and hungry.
"Oh, wonder if mothers drinkin
again. I'm so afeared she'll freeze to
death, such cold days as this! If could
only watch after her bit. Pears as
if | shouldn't want to be in this world
without mammy!'' and tears stole down
the thin cheeks of half-starved Tilda
''Are you awake, Tilda? and don't
you want to take care of Polly Pipkin
while I'm gone to the SCHOOL," And a
larger girl pushed open the door and
seated herself in the one shakY chair in
the room.
"Oh, Martha Jane, please hand me
Polly this very minuter' and Tilda sat
up in bed, eagerly reaching out for a
battered, soiled dolly, so ugly that few
little girls would have wanted to look
at it.
Tilda couldn't move her lower limbs.
A drunken papa had struck her cruel.
heavy blows when a wee grille, ana
ever after something was the trouble
with Tilda's back, her rosy cheeks
grew thin and mamma sobbed all the
time.
Tilda didn't mind much then that
she had to sit still and could never
again run or play, for mamma was so
loving and tender with her crippled
grille; but she had not learned to drink
then.
Tilda Rugged Polly Pipkin close to
her breast. The tumbled flaxen hair
had not been combed for several DAYS,
and the thin cotton dress was tattered
and dirty; no loving mother had looked
after Tilda's comfort.
"Yes; but then the sun'll melt the
snow and"
II am afraid you haven't had any
dinner, Tilda. Well, mine wasn't
enough for even one; tried to get you
a corn cake. My daddy is drinkin' Z;
pears like every time he gets paid for
work he jest drinks it up. Tllda, do
you suppose w3 shall ever like the
stuff hiskey, beer and brandy, /
mean" and Martha James black eyes
snapped and sparkled.
Tilda opened wide her blue ones.
She was a loyal soul to NANNY, but
she hated with all her young might
the curse which had wrecked their
home and made a drunken sot of her
mother
Il know you hate it now, Tilda; so
do |, and once your nanny did. Old
Granny Marks says your nanny was
once the prettiest and sweetest woman
she ever knew, and now look at her!
all purple and bloated. Hush didn t
mean to make you cry. Here, Tilda,
let me warm you up bit;' and Mar
tina Jane held the cripple in her arms
until she had warmed a little the be-
numbed body of Tilda.
Il must be goin' to school, We
learn to mend and sew things there.
I'm going to bring you something; it'll
be company for you to try and guess
what it will be.
Martha, if observation-disclosures
Observation-Disclosures, will you
will you-jest-"
'1'll try to bring her home, Tilda.
The boys shall not throw snowballs at
her while I'm around, and III try to
sober her up with a cup of hot soup.
With bang Martha Jane closed the
door. Tilda snuggled up into a heap
and cuddled Polly close to her, and
then went to sleep.
I'm ask the ladies to help her. I'm
strong and can work, but Tilda never
can. Why-if here isn't old Mag.
drunk. and almost showed over! III
have to miss the school, but promised
Tilda to look after her mother, and ]
think she'd rather I'd bring her mann
my than anything, though | wanted to
get her some bread and meat and bit
of sugar"
Down upon her knees Martha Jane
knelt, and with hOr fingers began to dig
out the woman. stupid with drink, not
minding the approach of a beautifully
dressed lady.
nc utuuktu MOlldu ulubltItt III uti
sleep, as Martha tried to arouse her,
when the lady, too, knelt. saying, Let
me assist you" And before Martha
could think, the lady had called help
and her carriage, and they were all
driven to Tilda's.
Mrs Manning's tears blinded her
eyes as she looked upon Tilda and Pip
kin.
With Martha's help she soon had
Tilda in warm bed, wearing tlan-
mel wrapper. in home especially for
weak, poor children.
Tilda's mother was cared for by
ladies who work earnestly to help men
and woman break off the habit of in
temperance and become respected,
pure, good souls again; and Tilda
prays daily for ''mammy."
My! but you're fine! | spOse you
wouldn't look at Polly Pipkin now, .
said Martha, as she visited Tilda in her
warm room, Just after she had eaten
a breakfast of warm oatmeal and
milk, and pink-cheeked dolly in a
pink dress lay ia Tildas arms.
mo, | don't mean a word of that,
you dear sunshiny Tidal You'll al
ways stick to homely old friends, and
I'm glad you have a new doll. Good
news! Daddy's taken the pledge, and
maybe III have a new dolly, too.
know you re glad, Tilda dear.