Poor and Proud, or The Fortunes of Katy Redburn
by
Oliver Optic
Part 2 out of 4
Tommy Howard looked her in the eye a moment; he saw a tear there.
Her pride was wounded, and he took the two cents from the tray,
for he did not wish to give her pain.
"Now, we are square, Tommy," said Katy, as her face brightened up
again.
"Yes, we are, but I don't like it pretty well. One of these days,
when you get out of this scrape, I will let you give me as much
candy as you have a mind to."
This was very obliging of Tommy; and when Katy understood his
motive, she was sorry she had not permitted him to pay for the
candy, for she saw that he did not feel just right about the
transaction. It was not exactly mercantile, but then the heart
comes before commerce. As she walked along, she could not help
thinking that her natural generosity might seriously interfere
with the profits of her enterprise. She had a great many friends;
and it became a knotty question for her to decide whether, if she
met any of her school companions, she should give each of them a
stick of candy. She would like to do so very much indeed; but it
was certain she could not afford to pursue such a liberal policy.
It was a hard question, and, hoping she should not meet any of
her schoolmates, she determined to refer it to her mother for
settlement.
When she got into Washington Street, she felt that the time for
action had come. Now was the time to sell candy; and yet she did
not feel like asking folks to buy her wares. The night before, as
she lay thinking about her business, it had all seemed very easy
to her; but now it was quite a different thing. No one seemed to
take any notice of her, or to feel the least interest in the
great mission she had undertaken. But Katy was aware that it
requires some effort in these days to sell goods, and she must
work; she must ask people to buy her candy.
There was a nice-looking gentleman, with a good-natured face,
coming down the street, and she resolved to make a beginning with
him. He couldn't say much more than no to her, and she placed
herself in a position to accost him. But when he came near
enough, her courage all oozed out, and she let him pass without
speaking to him.
"What a fool I am!" exclaimed she to herself when he had passed.
"I shall never do anything in this way. There comes another
gentleman who looks as though he had a sweet tooth; at any rate,
he seems as good-natured as a pound of sugar. I will certainly
try him."
Her heart pounded against her ribs as though it had been worked
by a forty-horse engine--poor girl. It was a great undertaking to
her; quite as great as taking a six-story granite warehouse,
piling it full of merchandise from cellar to attic, and
announcing himself as ready for business, to a child of a larger
growth. Everything seemed to hang on the issues of that
tremendous moment.
"Buy some candy?" said she, in tremulous tones, her great,
swelling heart almost choking her utterance.
"No, child. I don't want any," replied the gentleman, kindly, as
he glanced at the tray on which the candy had been so invitingly
spread.
"It is very nice," stammered Katy; "and perhaps your children at
home would like some, if you do not."
Bravo, Katy! That was very well done, though the gentleman was an
old bachelor, and could not appreciate the full force of your
argument.
"Are you sure it is very nice?" asked the gentleman, with a
benevolent smile, when he had laughed heartily at Katy's jumping
conclusion.
"I know it is," replied the little candy merchant, very
positively.
"Then you may give me six sticks;" and he threw a fourpence on
her tray.
Six sticks! Katy was astonished at the magnitude of her first
commercial transaction. Visions of wealth, a fine house, and silk
dresses for her mother and herself, danced through her excited
brain, and she thought that her grandfather, the great Liverpool
merchant, would not have been ashamed of her if he had been
present to witness that magnificent operation.
"Have you any paper to wrap it up in?" asked the gentleman.
Here was an emergency for which Katy had not provided. Her
grandest expectations had not extended beyond the sale of one
stick at a time, and she was not prepared for such a rush of
trade. However, she tore off a piece from one of the white sheets
at the bottom of the tray, wrapped up the six sticks as nicely as
she could, and handed them to the gentleman, who then left her to
find another customer.
Katy, elated by her first success, ran home as fast as she could
to procure some more white paper, of which she had a dozen sheets
that had been given her by a friend. It was in the back room, so
that she did not disturb her mother, choosing to astonish her
with the whole story of her success at noon.
CHAPTER VIII.
KATY SELLS OUT AND VISITS THE MAYOR.
Katy reached Washington Street once more. She had lost all her
timidity, and would not have feared to accost the governor, if
she had met him, and request him to purchase a cent's worth of
molasses candy.
"Buy some candy?" said she to the first person who passed near
her.
"No!" was the prompt and emphatic answer of the gentleman
addressed.
"It is very nice," suggested Katy.
"Get out of my may," growled the gentleman, and the little candy
merchant deemed it prudent to heed the command.
She was nettled by this rude reception, and would have been
disposed to resent it, if there had been any way for her to do
so. She had not yet learned to bear up against the misfortunes of
trade, and her eye followed the sour gentleman far down the
street. Why should he treat her in such a rude and unkind manner?
What would he say if she should tell him that her grandfather was
a great Liverpool merchant, lived in a big house, and had lots of
servants to wait upon him? She was as good as he was, any day.
"Give me a stick of candy," said a nice little girl with a silk
dress on, whom a lady was holding by the hand, at the same time
placing a cent on her tray.
Katy started at the words, and reproved herself for her want of
meekness. She might, perhaps, have sold half a dozen sticks of
candy while she had been watching the sour gentleman, and
persuading herself that she had been very badly used. She tore
off a piece of paper, in which she wrapped up the candy for the
purchaser, and handed it to her.
"Thank you," said she, as she picked up the copper, and
transferred it to her pocket.
"Your candy looks very nice," added the lady evidently pleased
with Katy's polite manners.
"It is very nice, ma'am."
"Have you sold much to-day?"
"No, ma'am; I have but just come out."
"It looks so good, I will take half a dozen sticks for the
children at home."
"Thank you, ma'am; you are very kind," replied Katy; and her
nimble fingers had soon made a nice little parcel for the lady,
who gave her a fourpence.
Here was another avalanche of good fortune, and the little candy
merchant could hardly believe her senses. At this rate she would
soon become a wholesale dealer in the article.
"Buy some candy?" said she, addressing the next person she met.
"No."
"Buy some candy?" she continued, turning to the next.
"No."
And so she went from one to another, and no one seemed to have
the least relish for molasses candy. She walked till she came to
State Street, and sold only three sticks. She begun to be a
little disheartened, for the success she had met with at the
beginning had raised her anticipations so high that she was not
disposed to be content with moderate sales. While she was
standing at the corner of State Street, waiting impatiently for
customers, she saw a man with a basket of apples enter a store.
She crossed the street to observe what he did in the store, in
order, if possible, to get an idea of his mode of doing business.
She saw him offer his apples to the clerks and others in the
shop, and she was surprised and gratified to see that nearly
every person purchased one or more of them. In her heart she
thanked the apple man for the hint he had unconsciously afforded
her, and resolved to profit by his example.
Now that commerce was her business, she was disposed to make it
her study; and as she reasoned over the matter, she came to
understand why she found so few buyers in the streets. Ladies and
gentlemen did not like to be seen eating candy in the street,
neither would many of them want to put it into their pockets,
where it would melt and stick to their clothes. They would eat it
in their shops and houses; and with this new idea she was
encouraged to make a new effort. Walking along till she came to a
store where there appeared to be several clerks she entered.
"Buy some candy?" she said, addressing a salesman near the
window, as she raised up her ware so that he could see them.
The clerk made no reply, but coming round from behind the
counter, he rudely took her arm, opened the door, and pushed her
into the street. Katy's cheek burned with indignation at this
unprovoked assault, and she wished for the power of ten men, that
she might punish the ill-natured fellow as he deserved. But it
was all for the best, for, in pushing her out of the shop, the
clerk threw her against a portly gentleman on the street, whose
soft, yielding form alone saved her from being tumbled into the
gutter. He showed no disposition to resent the assault upon his
obesity, and kindly caught her in his arms.
"What is the matter my dear?" said the gentleman, in soothing
tones.
"That man pushed me out of the store," replied Katy, bursting
into tears, for she was completely overcome by the indignity that
had been cast upon her.
"Perhaps you didn't behave well."
"I am sure I did. I only asked him to buy some candy: and he
shoved me right out the door, just as though I had been a dog."
"Well, well, don't cry, my dear; you seem to be a very
well-behaved little girl, and I wonder at finding you in such low
business."
"My mother is sick, and I am trying to earn something to support
her," sobbed Katy, who, with her independent notions of trade in
general, and of the candy trade in particular, would not have
revealed this humiliating truth, except under the severe pressure
of a wounded spirit.
"Poor child!" exclaimed the portly gentleman, thrusting his hand
deep down into his pocket, and pulling up a handful of silver.
"Here is half a dollar for you, for I know you tell the truth."
"O, no, sir; I can't take money as a gift."
"Eh?"
The gentleman looked astonished, and attempted to persuade her;
but she steadily protested against receiving his money as a gift.
"You are a proud little girl, my dear."
"I am poor and proud; but I will sell you some candy."
"Well, give me half a dollar's worth."
"I haven't got so much. I have only fourteen cents' worth left."
"Give me that, then."
Katy wrapped up the remainder of her stock in a piece of paper,
and handed it to the gentleman, who in payment threw the
half-dollar on the tray.
"I can't change it."
"Never mind the change;" and the fat gentleman hurried away.
Katy was so utterly astounded to find she had disposed of her
entire stock, that she did not have the presence of mind to
follow him, and the half dollar had to be placed in her treasury.
She did not regard it with so much pride and pleasure as she did
the two four-pence, and the four coppers, for there was something
unmercantile about the manner in which it had come into her
possession. She could not feel satisfied with herself, as she
walked towards home, till she had argued the matter, and effected
a compromise between her pride and her poverty. She had sold
candy for the money, and the gentleman had paid her over three
cents a stick--rather above the market value of the article; but
there was no other way to make the transaction correspond with
her ideas of propriety.
Her work was done for the forenoon, though she had plenty of
candy at home. It was now eleven o'clock, and she had not time to
sell out another stock before dinner. As she walked up the
street, on her way home, she encountered Master Simon Sneed, who,
with the dignity and stateliness of a merchant prince, was
lugging a huge bundle of goods to the residence of some customer.
"I am glad to see you, Simon," said Katy. "Have you seen your
friend the mayor?"
"I am sorry to inform you, Katy, that a press of business has
prevented my calling on his honor."
"I am sorry for that. I am afraid I shall never see the watch
again."
"Depend upon it, you shall. I pledge you my honor that I will use
every exertion to recover the lost treasure. Just now our firm
require the undivided attention of all in the store."
"I told Mrs. Gordon all about it, and she promised to speak to
the mayor."
"It was unnecessary to trouble her with the matter; my influence
with the mayor will be quite sufficient."
"I dare say it will; but when shall you see him?"
"Very soon, be patient, Katy."
"Mrs. Gordon promised to take me to the mayor to-day, and tell
him all about it."
"Take you to the mayor!" exclaimed Master simon.
"That's what she said."
"You will be afraid of him, and not able to tell your story."
"No, I guess I shan't. I will tell him that I have mentioned the
matter to you."
"Perhaps you had better not; his honor, though we have been quite
intimate, may not remember my name. But I must leave you now, for
the firm gets very uneasy in my absence."
Simon shouldered his bundle again, and moved off, and Katy walked
towards home, wondering why a person of so much importance to the
Messrs. Sands & Co. should be permitted to degrade himself by
carrying bundles. When she got home, she found her mother in a
very cheerful frame of mind, the result of her reading and
meditation.
"Well. Katy, you come back with an empty tray have you sold all
your candy?" asked Mrs. Redburn, as she entered the room.
"Yes, mother, every stick. I have brought back sixty-six cents,"
replied Katy, emptying her pocket on the bed.
"Sixty-six cents! But you had only thirty sticks of candy."
"You must not blame me for what I have done, mother; I could not
help it;" and she proceeded to narrate all the particulars of her
forenoon's occupation.
Mrs. Redburn was annoyed at the incident with the fat gentleman;
more so than by the rudeness to which Katy had been subjected.
The little merchant was so elated at her success, that her mother
could not find it in her heart to cast a damper upon her spirits
by a single reproach. Perhaps her morning's reflections had
subdued her pride so that she did not feel disposed to do so.
After dinner Katy hastened at once to Temple Street again. To her
great disappointment she found that Mrs. Gordon and her daughter
had been suddenly called to Baltimore by the death of one of her
husband's near relatives. But the kind lady had not forgotten
her, and that was a great consolation. Michael gave her a note,
directed to the mayor, which he instructed her to deliver that
day.
With the assistance of Michael, she found the house of the mayor,
and though her heart beat violently she resolutely rang the bell
at the door.
"Is the mayor in?" asked she of the sleek servant man that
answered the summons.
"Well, suppose he is; what of it?" replied the servant, who could
not possibly have been aware that Katy's grandfather was a rich
Liverpool merchant, or he would have spoken more civilly to her.
"I want to see him."
"He don't see little brats like you," answered the servant,
shutting the door in her face.
Katy was indignant. She wished a dozen things all at once; and
among other things she wished Master Simon Sneed had been there,
that he might report the circumstance to his friend the mayor.
What was to be done? It was mean to treat her in that shabby
manner, and she would not stand it? She would not, that she
wouldn't! Grasping the bell handle with a courageous hand, she
gave a pull that must have astonished the occupants of the
servants' hall, and led them to believe that some distinguished
character had certainly come. The sleek man servant reappeared at
the door, ready to make his lowest bow to the great personage,
when he beheld the flashing eye of Katy.
"How dare you ring that bell again?" snarled he.
"I want to see the mayor, I have a note for him from Mrs. Gordon,
and I won't go away till I see him."
"From Mrs. Gordon! Why didn't you say so? You may come in."
Katy entered at this invitation, and the man bade her wait in the
hall till he informed the mayor of her errand. She was not a
little pleased with the victory she had gained, and felt quite
equal, after it, to the feat of facing the chief magistrate of
the city. While she stood there, a little boy having in his hand
a stick of molasses candy, with which he had contrived
plentifully to bedaub his face, came out of the adjoining room,
and surveyed her carefully from head to foot. Katy looked at the
candy with attention, for it looked just like one of the sticks
she had sold that forenoon. The little fellow who was not more
than five or six years of age, seemed to have a hearty relish for
the article, and as he turned it over, Katy assured herself that
it was a portion of her stock.
"My pa brought home lots of candy," said the little fellow, after
he had satisfied himself with the survey of Katy's person.
"Do you like it?" asked she, willing to cultivate his
acquaintance.
"Don't I, though!"
"Where did your father get it?"
"He bought it of a little girl; she was poor and proud," replied
the little gentleman, transferring half an inch of the candy to
his mouth.
"Dear me!" exclaimed Katy.
But her conversation was interrupted by the return of the
servant, who directed Katy to follow him up-stairs.
CHAPTER IX.
KATY TALKS WITH THE MAYOR, AND RECOVERS THE WATCH.
Katy followed the servant man, whose name was John, up-stairs;
but at the first turn he stopped, and begged her not to mention
that he had shut the door upon her.
"I don't know," said Katy. "I gave you no reason to treat me in
that ugly manner."
"You didn't, but, you see, I thought you was some beggar, coming
to disturb his honor."
"Do I look like a beggar?" asked Katy.
"Indeed you don't; that was a bad blunder of mine. If you mention
it, I shall lose my place."
"Well, I won't say a word then; but I hope you will learn better
manners next time."
"Thank you, miss; and be sure I'll treat you like a lady next
time."
John then conducted her up-stairs into a room the walls of which
were almost covered with books. Katy thought what a wise man the
mayor must be, for she had never seen so many books before in her
life, and took it for granted the mayor had read them all. As she
entered the apartment she saw a fat gentleman sitting at the
desk, very busy examining a great pile of papers. When he turned
his head, Katy was not much surprised to see that it was the nice
gentleman who had given her half a dollar for fourteen cents'
worth of candy.
"Ah, my dear, is it you!" exclaimed the mayor, as he recognized
the little candy merchant.
"Yes, sir; if you please, it is me," stammered Katy, making her
obeisance, and feeling very mush confused, for it was the first
time she had ever come into the presence of a great man, and she
could not exactly tell whether she ought to get down on her
knees, as she had read that people did when they approached a
king, or to remain standing.
"Well my dear, what is your name?" continued the mayor.
"Katy Redburn, if you please, sir," replied Katy with another
courtesy.
"I am glad you have come to me with this business, Katy. Mrs.
Gordon speaks very handsomely of you."
"She is very kind, sir."
"You have lost your watch--have you, Katy?"
"My father's watch, if you please, sir," and having gained a
little confidence from the kind tones of the mayor, she proceeded
to tell him the whole story of her adventure in the pawnbroker's
shop.
The mayor listened attentively to the artless recital, and
promised to do all in his power to regain the watch.
"Were you alone, Katy, when you went to the pawnbroker's?"
"No, sir; there was one of your friends with me," replied she
with a simple smile.
"One of my friends?"
"Yes, sir; and he promised to see you about it."
"I am afraid you have been imposed upon, Katy."
"No, sir; he has often spoken to me about his friend the mayor."
"But who was he?"
"Master Simon Sneed."
"Sneed? Sneed?" mused the mayor.
"Yes, sir; Master Simon Sneed."
"Master? What is he? A schoolmaster?"
"O, no, sir. Everybody calls him master. He keeps store."
"Sneed? I never heard the name before. Where is his store?"
"In Washington Street. It says Sands & Co. on the sign."
"O, you mean the boy that makes the fires, sweeps out, and does
the errands. I remember him now," said the mayor, laughing
heartily at poor Katy's account of Simon. "I never heard his name
before; but he is the oldest boy of his age I ever saw."
"He was very kind to me."
"No doubt he is a very good boy; but I supposed from your account
of him that he was a member of the firm."
"Master Simon says the firm would not be able to get along
without him," replied Katy, who began to have some doubts whether
Simon was so great a man as he had represented himself to be.
"Master Simon is very kind to stay with them then, and I hope the
Messrs. Sands will properly appreciate his merit. Now, Katy,"
continued the mayor, who had been writing while he questioned his
visitor, "you may take this note to the City Hall and deliver it
to the city marshal, he will do all he can to recover your lost
treasure."
"Thank you, sir," replied Katy, as she took the note.
"Now, good-by, Katy, and I hope you will always be as good as
your candy is."
"I will try; good-by, sir;" and she left the library and passed
down-stairs.
John let her out very civilly and seemed very grateful to her
that she had not exposed his rudeness. She hastened to the City
Hall, sure almost of recovering the watch, and gladdening her
mother with the sight of it on her return home.
Simon Sneed, after parting with Katy, had felt a little uneasy in
relation to the watch. He was jealous of his own good credit, for
he foresaw that Katy could not very well avoid telling the mayor
that he had been with her at the time of the unfortunate
transaction. Besides, he did not exactly like the idea of Katy's
going to the mayor at all. Katy Redburn going to see the mayor!
By and by everybody would know his honor, and there would be no
glory in being acquainted with him!
His conscience seemed to reprove him because he had done nothing
towards the recovery of the watch. What would his friend the
mayor say if Katy should happen to tell him of his neglect?
"Here I am," said Master Simon to himself, as he entered the
store, "a person of influence, enjoying the friendship of the
chief magistrate of the city and have not exerted my influence,
or used my powerful friend, to redress the injury which this poor
girl has received. I will correct my error at once, for if the
mayor should happen to invite me to dinner some time, very likely
he would reproach me for my neglect."
Having thus resolved to preserve his credit with the chief
magistrate of the city, there was fortunately a lull in the waves
of the Messrs. Sand & Co.'s affairs which enabled him to be
absented for half an hour without serious injury to their
business. He hastened to the pawnbroker's at which the robbery
had been committed.
"I presume you know me, sir?" said Simon.
"I haven't that honor," replied the broker.
"Perhaps you may be able to recall the circumstance of a little
girl presenting herself here with a silver watch."
"Well, I do."
"I was with her."
"Then I suppose you helped her steal it."
"Such an insinuation, sir, is unworthy a gentleman, I have come,
sir, with a benevolent purpose, as I came before. In half an hour
the history of that transaction will be conveyed to the mayor
who, allow me to inform you, is my friend."
"Your friend!" sneered the broker who was not particularly
impressed by the magnificent manners and the magnificent speech
of Master Simon.
"The little girl has just gone with a note from Mrs. Gordon of
Temple Street to seek redress of the mayor. I doubt not you will
be prosecuted at once. You have an opportunity to save yourself."
"What do you mean by that, you young puppy?" said the broker,
angrily. "Do you mean to say I stole the watch?"
"By no means; only that you took what did not belong to you,"
replied Master Simon, blandly.
"Get out of my shop!"
"Understand me, sir; I come as your friend."
"You are a fool, I believe."
"You have an undoubted right to your opinion, as I have to mine;
but if you do not restore the watch within half an hour, you will
be arrested for stealing--I beg your pardon, for taking what did
not belong to you."
There was something in the earnest manner of Simon which arrested
the attention of the broker, in spite of the former's high-flown
speech. He was satisfied that something had been done, and he was
disposed to avoid any unpleasant consequences.
"I spoke to a policeman about the watch," said the man. "I told
him I had it, and if he found that such a watch had been stolen,
it could be found at my shop."
"And if he did not find that watch had been stolen, you meant to
keep it yourself," answered Master Simon, whose earnestness made
him forget for a moment to use his high-flown words.
"Keep a civil tongue in your head," growled the broker. "I
notified the police that I had it; that's enough."
"Perhaps it is I will ask my friend the mayor about it;" and
Simon moved towards the door.
"Stop a moment."
"Can't stop now."
"Here! I will go up to the city marshal with you. May be I made a
mistake in keeping the watch; but if I did, it was only to
prevent it from falling into the hands of some one less
scrupulous than myself."
"Do I look like a thief?" asked Master Simon, indignantly.
"It don't do to judge by appearances," replied the broker,
locking his shop door, and walking towards the City Hall with
Simon. "There are some very respectable thieves about."
Master Simon Sneed was satisfied with this explanation. He did
not care to quarrel with any one who acknowledged his
respectability. In a few moments they reached the City Hall, and
ascended the stone steps to the vestibule. As they did so, Katy
entered from the opposite door.
"How glad I am to find you, Master Simon! exclaimed she. "Can you
tell me where the city marshal's office is?"
"Here it is, Katy," replied Simon, pointing to the door. "But
what are you going to do?"
"I have got a note for the city marshal. The mayor gave it to
me."
"You hear that, sir," said Master Simon to the broker, with
becoming dignity. "This, Katy, is the man that has your silver
watch; and he has consented to deliver it to the rightful owner."
"Let me see the note," said the broker.
"No, I won't," replied Katy, pretty sharply. "You are a naughty
man, and I won't trust you with it."
"But I will give you, the watch."
"Give it to me, and then I will show you the note," replied Katy,
who was thinking more of getting the precious relic than of
having the broker punished.
The broker took the watch from his pocket and handed it to her,
and in return she produced the mayor's note.
"I suppose there is no need of your delivering this note now?"
continued the broker, with a cunning smile.
"No; I don't care anything about it, now that I have got the
watch," replied Katy, rejoiced beyond measure to recover the
treasure.
"Well, then, I am somewhat acquainted with the marshal, and I
will hand him the note, and explain the circumstances. He will be
perfectly satisfied."
Katy didn't care whether he was satisfied or not, so long as she
had the watch. But the broker entered the marshal's office, and
they could not see him put the note in his pocket.
"I am so glad I got it!" exclaimed Katy.
"I doubt whether you could have recovered it if I had not used my
influence in your favor," remarked Simon, complacently. "I went
to his office, and assured him my friend the mayor had already
taken the matter in hand. I talked pretty severely to him, and he
got frightened. After all, the best way is to use very pointed
language to these fellows."
"I thank you very much, Master Simon, and I hope I shall be able
to do something for you some time."
But Messrs. Sands & Co.'s affairs were suffering, perhaps, and
Simon hastened back to the store, and Katy ran home to cheer her
mother with the sight of the recovered relic.
CHAPTER X.
KATY, IN DISTRESS, FINDS A CHAMPION.
Now that she had recovered the precious watch Katy had nothing to
engage her attention but the business of selling candy. The
success that had attended her forenoon's exertions was gratifying
beyond her expectations, and she felt as though she had already
solved the problem; that she was not only willing but able to
support her mother. She had originated a great idea, and she was
proud of it.
Just as soon, therefore, as she had told her mother all about the
recovery of the watch, she prepared another tray of candy,
resolved to sell the whole of it before she returned. Her mother
tried to induce her to stay in the house and rest herself, but
her impatience to realize the fruits of her grand idea would not
permit her to remain inactive a single hour.
"Now, mother, I shall sell all this candy before dark; so don't
be uneasy about me. I am going to make lots of money, and you
shall have everything you want in a few weeks," said Katy, as she
put on her bonnet.
"I wish you would stay at home, and rest yourself; you have done
enough for one day."
"I am not tired a bit, mother; I feel just as if I could walk a
hundred miles."
"That's because you have got a new notion in your head. I am
afraid you will be sick, and then what should we do?"
"O, I shan't get sick; I promise you I won't," replied Katy, as
she left the room.
Unfortunately for the little candy merchant it was Wednesday
afternoon, and as the schools did not keep, there were a great
many boys in the street, and many of them were very rude, naughty
boys. When she passed up the court, some of them called out to
her, and asked her where she was going with all that candy. She
took no notice of them, for they spoke very rudely, and were no
friends of hers. Among them was Johnny Grippen, whose
acquaintance the reader made on the pier of South Boston bridge.
This young ruffian led half a dozen others down the court in
pursuit of her, for possibly they were not satisfied with the
cavalier manner in which Katy had treated them.
"Where are you going with all that candy?" repeated the juvenile
bully, when he overtook her in Essex Street.
"I am going to sell it," replied Katy, finding she could not
escape.
"Give us a junk, will you?" said Johnny.
"I can't give it away; I am going to sell it, to get money for my
mother."
"Won't you give a feller a piece?"
"I can't now; perhaps I'll give you some another time."
Katy's heart beat violently, for she was very much alarmed,
knowing that Johnny had not followed her for nothing. As she made
her firm but conciliatory reply, she moved on, hoping they would
not attempt to annoy her. It was a vain hope, for Johnny kept
close to her side, his eyes fixed wistfully on the tempting array
of sweets she carried.
"Come, don't be stingy, Katy," continued Johnny.
"I don't mean to be; but I don't think I owe you anything,"
replied Katy, gathering courage in her desperate situation.
"What do you mean by that?" demanded the little ruffian, as he
placed himself in front of her, and thus prevented her further
progress.
"Don't stop me; I'm in a hurry," said Katy.
"Gi' me some candy, then."
"No, I won't!" answered Katy, losing her patience.
"Won't you?"
Johnny made a dive at the tray, with the intention of securing a
portion of the candy; but Katy adroitly dodged the movement, and
turning up a narrow alley way, ran off. Johnny was not to be
balked, and followed her; and then she found she had made a bad
mistake in getting off the street, where there were no passers-by
to interfere in her favor.
"Johnny!" shouted one of the bully's companions. "Johnny, Tom
Howard is coming."
"Let him come!" replied Johnny, doggedly.
He did not half like the insinuation conveyed in the words of his
associates; for to tell him, under the circumstances, that Tommy
was coming, was as much as to say he was afraid of him. Now, as
we have said, Johnny Grippen was a "fighting character," and had
a reputation to maintain. He gloried in the name of being able to
whip any boy of his size in the neighborhood. He was always ready
to fight, and had, perhaps, given some hard knocks in his time;
but he sustained his character rather by his talent for bullying,
than by any conquests he had won. On the whole he was a
miserable, contemptible little bruiser whom no decent boy could
love or respect. He talked so big about "black eyes," "bloody
noses" and "smashed heads," that few boys cared to dispute his
title to the honors he had assumed. Probably some who felt able
to contest the palm with him, did not care to dirty their fingers
upon the bullying cub.
Sensible people, whether men or boys, invariably despise the
"fighting character," be he young or old. Nine times out of ten
he is both a knave and a fool, a coward and a bully.
On the other hand, Tommy Howard was one of those hearty,
whole-souled boys, who are the real lions of the playground. He
was not a "fighting character;" and being a sensible boy, he had
a hearty contempt for Johnny Grippen. He was not afraid of him,
and though he never went an inch out of his way to avoid a fight
with him, it so happened they had never fought. He was entirely
indifferent to his threats, and had no great opinion of his
courage. Johnny had "stumped" him to fight, and even taken off
his coat and dared him to come; but Tommy would laugh at him,
tell him to put on his coat or he would catch cold; and, contrary
to the general opinion among boys, no one ever thought the less
of him for the true courage he exhibited on these occasions.
Johnny did not like to be told that Tommy was coming, for it
reminded him that, as the king bully of the neighborhood, one of
his subjects was unconquered and rebellious. But Johnny had
discretion--and bullies generally have it. He did not like that
cool, independent way of the refractory vassal; it warned him to
be cautious.
"What's the matter, Katy?" asked Tommy, as he came with quick
pace up the court, without deigning to cast even a glance at the
ruffian who menaced her.
"Stand by, fellers, and see fair play, and I'll lick him now,"
said Johnny, in a low tone, to his companions.
"He won't let me go," replied Katy, pointing to her assailant.
"Go ahead, Katy; don't mind him."
"Won't you give me some candy?" said Johnny, stepping up before
her again.
"Go ahead, Katy," repeated Tommy, placing himself between her and
the bully. "Don't mind him, Katy."
As she advanced, Johnny pushed forward, and made another dive at
the tray, but Katy's champion caught him by the arm and pulled
him away.
"You mind out!" growled the bully, doubling up his fists, and
placing himself in the most approved attitude, in front of the
unwhipped vassal.
"Go ahead, Katy; clear out as fast as you can," said Tommy, who,
though his bosom swelled with indignation, still preserved his
wonted coolness; and it was evident to the excited spectators
that he did not intend to "mind out."
"Come on, if you want to fight!" shouted Johnny, brandishing his
fists.
"I don't want to fight; but you are a mean, dirty blackguard, or
you wouldn't have treated a girl like that," replied Tommy,
standing as stiff as a stake before the bully.
"Say that again, and I'll black your eye for you."
"Once is enough, if you heard me; but I will tell your father
about it."
"Will you? Just say that again."
Somehow, it often happens that bullies want a person to say a
thing over twice, from which we infer that they must be very deaf
or very stupid. Tommy would not repeat the offensive remark, and
Johnny's supporters began to think he was not half so anxious to
fight as he seemed, which was certainly true. I have no doubt, if
they had been alone, he would have found a convenient excuse for
retiring from the field, leaving it unsullied by a black eye or a
bloody nose.
My young friends will excuse me from digressing so far as to say
that, in more than a dozen years with boys, in school and out, I
have never heard of such a thing as two boys getting up a fight
and having it out alone. There must be a crowd of bruisers and
"scallewags" around, to keep up the courage of the combatants.
Therefore, those who look on are just as bad as those who fight,
for without their presence the fight could not be carried
through.
Tommy Howard had said all he had to say, and was therefore ready
to depart. He turned to do so, and walked several steps down the
alley, though he kept one eye over his shoulder to guard against
accidents.
"Hit him, Johnny!" cried one of the vagabond troops that
followed in the train of the bully.
"He darsen't fight," replied Johnny.
"Nor you, nuther," added another of the supporters.
This was too much for Johnny. It cut him to the quick, and he
could not stand it. If he did not thrash Tommy now, his
reputation would be entirely ruined.
"Darsen't I?" exclaimed he. "Come back here;" but as Tommy did
not come, he ran up behind him, and aimed a blow at the side of
his head.
Katy's intrepid defender, who had perhaps read in some Fourth of
July oration that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,"
was not to be surprised, and facing about, he warded off the
blow. Johnny's imperiled reputation rendered him desperate. He
had gone too far to recede, and he went into action with all the
energy and skill of a true bruiser. Tommy was now fully roused,
and his blows, which were strictly in self-defense, fell rapidly
and heavily on the head of his assailant. But I am not going to
give my young readers the particulars of the fight; and I would
not have let Tommy engage in such a scene, were it not to show up
Johnny as he was, and finish the portrait of him which I had
outlined; to show the difference between the noble, generous,
brave, and true-hearted boy, and the little bully, whom all my
young friends have seen and despised.
In something less than two minutes, Johnny Grippen, after
muttering "foul play," backed out with bloody nose, as completely
whipped, and as thoroughly "cowed down," as though he had been
fighting with a royal Bengal tiger. His supremacy was at an end,
and there was danger that some other bold fellow might take it
into his head to thrash the donkey after the lion's skin had been
stripped from his shoulders.
"If you are satisfied now, I'll go about my business," said
Tommy, as he gazed with mingled pity and contempt upon his
crest-fallen assailant.
"You don't fight fair," grumbled Johnny, who could not account
for his defeat in any other way. "If you're a mind to fight fair,
I'll try it again with you some time."
"I don't fight for the fun of it. I only fight when some cowardly
bully like you comes at me, and I can't help myself. When you
feel like whipping me again, you needn't stop to let me know it
beforehand. But I will tell you this much: if you ever put your
hand on Katy Redburn, or meddle with her in any way, I promise to
pound you as handsomely as I know how, fair or foul, the very
next time I meet you, if it isn't for seven years. Just bear that
in mind."
Johnny made no reply; he was not in a condition to make a reply,
and the victor in the conquest departed, leaving the bully to
explain his defeat as best he could to his admirers and
supporters.
"He did not hurt you--did he?" asked Katy, as Tommy joined her at
the foot of the alley, where she had been anxiously waiting the
result of the encounter.
"Not a bit, Katy. He talks very loud, but he is a coward. I'm
sorry I had to thrash him though I think it will do him good."
"I was afraid he'd hurt you. You were very kind to save me from
him, Tommy. I shall never forget you, as long as I live, and I
hope I shall be able to do something for you one of these days."
"Oh, don't mind that, Katy. He is an ugly fellow, and I wouldn't
stand by and see him insult a girl. But I must go now. I told
Johnny if he ever meddled with you again I should give him some;
if he does, just let me know."
"I hope he won't again," replied Katy, as Tommy moved towards
home.
This was Katy's first day in mercantile life; it had been full of
incidents, and she feared her path might be a thorny one. But her
light heart soon triumphed over doubts and fears, and when she
reached Washington Street, she was as enthusiastic as ever, and
as ready for a trade.
CHAPTER XI.
KATY MEETS WITH EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS.
"Buy some candy?" said Katy to the first gentleman she met.
He did not even deign to glance at her; and five or six attempts
to sell a stick of candy were failures; but when she remembered
the success that had followed her disappointment in the morning,
she did not lose her courage. Finding that people in the street
would not buy, she entered a shop where the clerks seemed to be
at leisure, though she did not do so without thinking of the rude
manner in which she had been ejected from a store in the
forenoon.
"Buy some candy?" said she to a good-natured young gentleman, who
was leaning over his counter waiting for a customer.
"How do you sell it?"
"Cent a stick; it is very nice. I sold fourteen sticks of it to
the mayor this forenoon. He said it was good."
"You don't say so? Did he give you a testimonial?"
"No; he gave me half a dollar."
The clerk laughed heartily at Katy's misapprehension of his word,
and his eye twinkled with mischief. It was plain that he was not
a great admirer of molasses candy, and that he only wanted to
amuse himself at Katy's expense.
"You know what they do with quack medicines--don't you?"
"Yes, I do; some folks are fools enough to take them," replied
Katy, smartly.
"That's a fact; but you don't understand me. Dr. Swindlehanger,
round the corner, would give the mayor a hundred dollars to say
his patent elixir is good. Now, if you could only get the mayor's
name on a paper setting forth the virtues of your candy, I dare
say you could sell a thousand sticks in a day. Why don't you ask
him for such a paper?"
"I don't want any paper, except to wrap up my candy in. But you
don't want to buy any candy, I see;" and Katy moved towards some
more clerks at the other end of the store.
"Yes, I do; stop a minute. I want to buy six sticks for my
children!"
"For what?"
"For my grandchildren."
"You are making fun of me," said Katy, who could see this, though
the young man was so pleasant and so funny, she could not be
offended with him. "I don't believe your mother would like it, if
she should hear you tell such a monstrous story."
The young man bit his lip. Perhaps he had a kind mother who had
taught him never to tell a lie, even in jest. He quickly
recovered his humor, however, though it was evident that Katy's
rebuke had not been without its effect.
"For how much will you sell me six sticks?" continued the clerk.
"For six cents."
"But that is the retail price; when you sell goods at wholesale
you ought not to ask so much for them."
"You shall have them for five cents then," replied Katy, struck
with the force of the suggestion.
"I can't afford to give so much as that. I am a poor man. I have
to go to the theater twice a week, and that costs me a dollar.
Then a ride Sunday afternoon costs me three dollars. So you see I
don't have much money to spend upon luxuries."
"I hope you don't go out to ride Sundays," said Katy.
"But I do."
"What does your mother say to it?"
The clerk bit his lip again. He did not like these allusions to
his mother, who perhaps lived far away in the country, and had
taught him to "remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy." Very
likely his conscience smote him, as he thought of her and her
blessed teachings in the far-off home of his childhood.
"I will give you two cents," said the clerk.
"I can't take that; it would hardly pay for the molasses, to say
nothing of firewood and labor."
"Call it three cents, then."
"No, sir; the wholesale price is five cents for six sticks."
"But I am poor."
"You wouldn't be poor if you saved up your money, and kept the
Sabbath. Your mother----"
"There, there! that's enough. I will take a dozen sticks!"
exclaimed the young man, impatiently interrupting her.
"A dozen?"
"Yes, a dozen, and there are twelve cents."
"But I only ask ten."
"No matter, give me the candy, and take the money," he replied,
fearful, it may be, that she would again allude to his mother.
Katy counted out the sticks, wrapped them up in a paper, and put
the money in her pocket. If she had stopped at the door to study
the young man's face, she might have detected a shadow of
uneasiness and anxiety upon it. He was a very good-hearted, but
rather dissolute, young man, and the allusions she had made to
his mother burned like fire in his heart, for he had neglected
her counsels, and wandered from the straight road in which she
had taught him to walk. If she could have followed him home, and
into the solitude of his chamber, she could have seen him open
his desk, and write a long letter to his distant mother--a duty
he had too long neglected. We may not follow the fortunes of this
young man, but if we could, we might see how a few words, fitly
spoken, even by the lips of an innocent youth; will sometimes
produce a powerful impression on the character; will sometimes
change the whole current of a life, and reach forward to the last
day of existence.
Katy, all unconscious of the great work she had done,
congratulated herself on this success, and wished she might find
a few more such customers. Glancing into the shop windows as she
passed along, to ascertain whether there was a good prospect for
her, she soon found an inviting field. It was a crockery ware
store that she entered this time, and there were several persons
there who seemed not to be very busy.
"Buy some candy?" said she, presenting the tray to the first
person she met.
"Go home and wash your face," was the ill-natured response.
Was it possible she had come out with a dirty face? No; she had
washed herself the last thing she had done. It is true her
clothes were shabby, there was many a patch and darn upon her
dress, and its colors had faded out like the "last rose of
summer;" but then the dress was clean.
"Buy some candy?" said she to another, with a sudden resolution
not to be disturbed by the rudeness of those she addressed.
He took a stick, and threw down a cent, without a word. One more
did her a similar favor, and she left the store well satisfied
with the visit. Pretty soon she came to a large piano-forte
manufactory, where she knew that a great many men were employed.
She went up-stairs to the counting-room, where she sold three
sticks, and was about to enter the work-room, when a sign, "No
admittance except on business," confronted her. Should she go on?
Did the sign refer to her? She had business there, but perhaps
they would not be willing to admit that her business was very
urgent, and she dreaded the indignity of being turned out again.
Her mother had told her there was always a right way and a wrong
way. It certainly was not right to enter in the face of a
positive prohibition, and at last she decided to return to the
office and ask permission to visit the workshop.
"Please may I go into the workshop?" said she, addressing the man
who had purchased the candy.
"Go in? why not?" replied he, placing his pen behind his ear, and
looking at her with a smile of curiosity.
"Why, it says on the door, `No admittance except on business.'"
"So it does. Well, I declare, you have got an amount of
conscience beyond your station. No one thinks of taking any
notice of that sign. Peddlers and apple men go in without a
question."
"I thought you wouldn't let people go in."
"We don't like to have visitors there, for they sometimes do
injury, and generally take off the attention of the men from
their work. But you have got so much conscience about the matter,
that you shall not only go in, but I will go with you, and
introduce you."
"Thank you, sir; I won't give you all that trouble. I can
introduce myself."
But the bookkeeper led the way to the door, and they entered a
large room in which a great many men were busily at work.
"Here is a very honest little girl," said her friend, "who has
the very best molasses candy I ever ate. If any of you have a
sweet tooth, or any children at home, I advise you to patronize
her."
The bookkeeper laughed, and the workmen laughed, as they began to
feel in their pockets for loose change. It was evident that the
friendly introduction was to be of great service to her. She
passed along from one man to another, and almost every one of
them bought two or three sticks of candy, and before she had been
to all of them her stock was entirely exhausted. Katy was
astonished at her good fortune, and the men were all exceedingly
good-natured. They seemed disposed to make a pleasant thing of
her visit, and to give her a substantial benefit.
"Now, my little girl," said the bookkeeper, "when you wish to
visit the workshop again, you may enter without further
permission; and I am sure the men will all be very glad to see
you."
"But I want some of that candy," said one of the workmen. "My
little girl would jump to get a stick."
"Then she shall have some," replied Katy. "for I will go home and
get some more;" and she left the building and hastened home for a
further supply of the popular merchandise.
"O mother! I have sold out all my candy, and I want a lot more!"
exclaimed she, as she rushed into the room, full of excitement
and enthusiasm.
"Be calm, child; you will throw yourself into a fever," replied
Mrs. Redburn. "You must learn to take things more easily."
"O dear! I have only twenty sticks left. I wish I had a hundred,
for I am sure I could sell them."
"Perhaps it is fortunate you have no more."
"But I must make some more to-night for to-morrow."
"Don't drive round so, Katy. Be reasonable, and don't think too
much of your success."
But Katy could not stop to argue the matter, though, as she
walked along the street, she thought of what her mother had said,
and tried to calm the excitement that agitated her. It was hard
work to keep from running every step of the way; but her mother's
advice must be heeded, and to some extent she succeeded in
controlling her violent impulses. As it was, she reached the
piano-forte manufactory quite out of breath, and rushed into the
workroom as though she had come on an errand of vital importance
to its occupants.
It required but a few minutes to dispose of her small stock of
candy. The workmen all hoped she would come again, and she
departed highly elated at her success.
"There, mother, I have sold all the candy. What do you think of
that?" said she, as she entered her mother's room, and threw off
her bonnet and shawl.
"You have done very well, I had no idea that you could sell more
than twenty or thirty sticks in a day."
"It's a great day's work, mother; and if I can sell half as much
in a day, I shall be satisfied. Don't you think I shall be able
to support you?"
"At this rate you can do much more; but, Katy, I tremble for
you."
"Why, mother?"
"You get so excited, and run so, I am afraid it will make you
sick."
"O, no, it won't, mother. I feel as strong as a horse. I am not
tired in the least."
"You don't feel so now, because you are so excited by your
success."
"I shall get used to it in a little while."
"I hope so, if you mean to follow this business."
"If I mean to? Why mother, what else could I do to make so much
money? See here;" and she poured the money she had taken upon the
bed-quilt before her mother. "One dollar and thirty-six cents,
mother! Only think of it! But I won't jump so another day; I will
take it easy."
"I wish you would."
"I will try very hard; but you can't think how happy I feel! Dear
me! I am wasting my time, when I have to make the candy for
to-morrow."
"But, Katy, you must not do any more to-night. You will certainly
be sick."
"I must make it, mother."
"Your hands are very sore now."
"They are better; and I don't feel tired a bit."
"I will tell you what you may do, if you must make the candy
to-night. When you have got the molasses boiled, you may ask Mrs.
Colvin, the washerwoman, to come in and pull it for you; for you
are not strong enough to do it yourself."
"I should not like to ask her. She's a poor woman, and it would
be just the same as begging to ask her to give me her work."
"You don't understand me, Katy. She goes out to work whenever she
can get a chance. Her price is ten cents an hour. You can engage
her for one or two hours, and pay her for her labor. This is the
only way you can get along with this business."
"I will do that. It won't take more than an hour."
Mrs. Colvin was accordingly engaged, though at first she
positively refused to be paid for her services; but when Katy
told her she should want her for one or two hours every day, she
consented to the arrangement. Early in the evening the candy was
all made, and Katy's day's work was finished. Notwithstanding her
repeated declaration that she was not tired, the bed "felt good"
to her, and she slept all the more soundly for the hard work and
the good deeds she had done.
CHAPTER XII.
KATY PAYS HER DEBTS, AND TOMMY GOES TO SEA.
Katy's second day's sales, though not so large as those of the
first day, were entirely satisfactory. The profits, after paying
for the "stock" and for the services of Mrs. Colvin, were nearly
a dollar, and her heart beat with renewed hope at this continued
success. Her grand idea hardly seemed like an experiment now, for
she had proved that she could make good candy, and that people
were willing to buy the article. She met with about the same
treatment from those to whom she offered her wares; one spoke
kindly, and purchased by wholesale, and another spoke gruffly,
and would not buy even a single stick. Here she was driven out of
doors, and there she was petted, and made large sales.
So far as Katy's person and manners were concerned, she was
admirably adapted to the business she had chosen. She was rather
small in stature for one of her age, but she was very well
formed, and her movements were agile and graceful. Her face was
not as pretty as it might have been, but her expression was
artless and winning. Her light brown hair hung in curls upon her
shoulders, and contributed not a little to make up the deficiency
in what the painters and sculptors would call a finely chiseled
face.
If she had been dressed in silk, and lace, and embroidery, I
doubt not people would have called her pretty, though in my
opinion it does not make much difference whether she was pretty
or not; for, after all, the best way to judge of a person's
beauty is by the old standard, "Handsome is that handsome does."
But I have said thus much about Katy's face and form in order to
explain the secret of her great success as a candy merchant.
Hundreds of persons would buy a stick of candy of a little girl
with a pretty face and a graceful form, who would not do so of
one less attractive. Though she was well favored in this respect,
I believe it was her gentle, polite manners, her sweet voice,
made sweet by a loving heart, that contributed most to her
success. But above all the accidents of a good form, graceful
movements, brown ringlets, and a pleasing address, she prospered
in trade because she was in earnest, and persevered in all her
efforts. A person cannot succeed in business by being merely good
looking, though this may sometimes be of much assistance. It is
patience, perseverance, energy, and above all, integrity and
uprightness, that lead to the true success.
Encouraged by her prosperity, Katy continued to sell candy with
about the same result as had cheered her heart on the first two
days. Her profits, however, were not so great as on those two
days, and did not average above seventy-five cents a day or four
dollars and a half a week. This was doing exceedingly well, and
she had every reason to be grateful for her good fortune.
At the end of three weeks, rent day came round again, and Dr.
Flynch called for the money. To his utter astonishment, it was
ready for him, and he departed without a single ill-natured word,
though this was, perhaps, because he had a wholesome regard for
the opinion of Mrs. Gordon. Two weeks later Katy found that her
savings were sufficient to enable her to pay the month's rent for
which Mrs. Gordon had given a receipt, and also the dollar which
Grace had loaned her. These debts had pressed heavily on her
mind. She knew that they were regarded as free gifts and her
pride prompted her to remove what she considered a stain upon her
character. Till they were paid, she felt like a beggar.
Taking her money one day, she paid a visit to Temple Street.
Michael opened the door and received her with a smile. Knowing
she was in favor with his mistress, he conducted her to the
sitting-room, where the portraits hung. Those roguish eyes of the
lady, who somewhat resembled her mother, were fixed on her again.
She was sure that her mother did not look like that picture then,
but she was equally sure that she had, some time or other cast
just such a glance at her. The expression of the lady found
something like its counterpart in her memory. Now, her mother
was sick and sad; she seldom smiled. But some time she must have
been a young girl, and then she must have looked like that
portrait. She felt just like asking Mrs. Gordon if that was her
portrait, but she did not dare to do such a thing. While she was
attentively watching the roguish lady's face, her kind friend
entered the room, followed by Grace.
"How do you do, Katy?" said the former, with a benevolent smile.
"Quite well, I thank you, ma'am. I hope you will excuse me for
coming again," replied she.
"I am very glad you have come."
"I was thinking of you the other day, and wishing I might see
you," added Grace, "for the Mayor told us a very pretty story
about you."
"He was very good to me; and I never shall forget him or you,"
answered Katy, warmly.
"I suppose you have come to get another receipt; but I told Dr.
Flynch not to disturb you," said Mrs. Gordon.
"O, no ma'am--I didn't come for that. You were too kind to me
before, and I have come now to pay you for that month's rent."
"Indeed?"
"Yes, ma'am; we have been able to earn money enough, and I am
very glad that I can pay it," replied Katy, taking the four
dollars from her pocket. "Here it is."
"No, my child; you shall keep it. I will not take it."
Katy's cheeks flushed, for she did not feel poor and proud then.
She felt rich; that is she was proud of being able to pay all she
owed, and she did not like to be thought capable of accepting a
gift--of being the recipient of charity. But she knew the hearts
of her kind friends, and left unspoken the words of indignation
that trembled on her tongue. "Please to take the money, ma'am,"
said she her cheeks still red with shame.
"No, my child; you are a good girl; I will not take your money."
"I shall feel very bad if you don't, and it will make my mother
very unhappy."
"Nay, Katy, you must not be too proud."
"I am not too proud to ask or to accept a favor, but please don't
make me feel like a beggar."
"You are a very strange child," said Mrs. Gordon.
"Indeed you are," added Grace
"I shall not feel right if you don't take this money. You know I
promised to pay you at the time you gave me the receipt."
"I did not suppose you would, that is, I did not think you would
be able to pay it. Your mother has got well, then?"
"No, ma'am; she is better, but she does not sit up any yet."
"Then how did you get this money?"
"I earned it."
"You!"
"Yes, ma'am; selling candy."
"Is it possible? The mayor told me you were a little candy
merchant, but I did not suppose you carried on such an extensive
trade."
"I make a great deal of money; almost five dollars a week; and
now I am able, I hope you will let me pay you."
"If you insist upon it, I shall, though I had much rather you
would keep the money."
"Thank you, ma'am. I shall feel much better when it is paid."
Mrs. Gordon reluctantly received the four dollars. It was a very
small sum to her, though a very large one to Katy. She saw that
the little candy merchant's pride was of the right kind, and she
was not disposed to give her any unnecessary mortification,
though she resolved that neither Katy nor her mother should ever
want a friend in their need.
"I owe you one dollar, also," continued Katy, advancing to the
side of Grace.
"Well, I declare!" laughed Grace. "If that isn't a good one!"
"I promised to pay you; and you know I would not take the money
as a gift," replied Katy.
"I am aware that you would not, and you are the promptest
paymistress I ever knew."
"With the dollar you lent me, I bought the molasses to make the
first lot of candy I sold. Your dollar has done a great deal of
good."
"I am glad it has; but I don't want to take it."
"Won't you let me feel like myself?"
"Certainly I will," laughed Grace.
"Then let me pay my debts, and not feel just like a beggar."
"You are the queerest child I ever saw!" exclaimed Grace, as she
took the dollar. "I am going to keep this dollar for you, and
perhaps some time you will not be so proud as you are now, though
I hope you will always have all the money you want."
"I think I shall, if my trade continues to be good," replied
Katy, who, now that all her debts had been paid, felt a heavy
load removed from her heart.
"You must bring your candy up here. The mayor says it is very
good. I have a sweet tooth, and I will buy lots of it," added
Grace.
"I will bring you up some to-morrow," replied Katy, moving
towards the door, and casting a last glance at the mischievous
lady in the picture.
"The mayor told me to ask you to call and see him again," said
Mrs. Gordon. "He is very much interested in you."
"He is very kind;" and she bade them good-by.
Katy felt highly honored by the notice the mayor had taken of
her. Like Master Simon Sneed, she felt almost like calling him
her friend the mayor; but she resolved to call upon him on her
way home. He received her very kindly, told her what a mistake
she had made in giving the pawnbroker his note, who had never
delivered it to the marshal, and promised to buy lots of candy
when she came with her tray.
When she returned home she found a message there from Tommy
Howard, requesting to see her that afternoon. She did not feel
like spending any more time in idleness, when she had so much
candy to sell; but Tommy's request was not to be neglected; and,
taking her tray, she called at his house as she passed up to the
court.
Tommy had been talking for a year about going to sea, and had
been for some time on the lookout for a chance as a cabin-boy or
a reefer. He had told her his plans, how he intended to be a good
sailor and work his way up to be captain of some fine ship. She
suspected, therefore, that he had found a chance to go to sea,
and wanted to tell her all about it.
She found him at home, waiting her expected visit; but a feeling
of sadness came over her when she saw his manly face, and thought
how badly she should feel if he should go off on the ocean, and,
perhaps, be drowned in its vast depths. He had been her friend
and protector. Johnny Grippen hardly dared to look at her since
the flogging he had given him; and Katy thought, perhaps, if he
went away, that she should have no one to defend her.
"I am going to-morrow, Katy," said he, after he had given her a
seat by the window.
"To sea?" asked Katy, gloomily.
"Yes; I have got a first-rate ship, and she sails to-morrow."
"I am so sorry you are going!"
"O, never mind it, Katy; I shall be back one of these days. I
wanted to tell you if Johnny Grippen gives you any impudence, to
let me know and I'll lick him when I come back."
"I guess he won't."
"He may; if he does, you had better tell his father."
"But where are you going, Tommy?"
"To Liverpool."
Katy started. Her grandfather lived there. After a moment's
thought she conceived a plan which made her heart bound with
emotion. She could send word to her grandfather, by Tommy, that
she and her mother were in Boston, and then he would send over
after them, and they could live in his fine house, and she should
be as happy as a queen. Then she and her mother might be
passengers in Tommy's ship--and wouldn't they have great times on
the passage! And as her grandfather was a merchant, and owned
ships, she might be able to do something for Tommy.
Under the seal of secrecy she related to her young sailor friend
all the particulars of her mother's history; and he wrote down
the names she gave him. Tommy promised to hunt all over Liverpool
till he found her grandfather; and to insure him a good
reception, Katy wrote a short letter to him, in which she stated
the principal facts in the case.
"Now, good-by, Tommy," said she, wiping away a tear; "I shall
think of you every day, and pray for you too. I hope there won't
be any storms to sink your ship."
"We shan't mind the storms. Good-by, Katy."
She felt very badly all the rest of the day, and her sales were
smaller than usual, for her energy was diminished in proportion
to the sadness of her heart.
CHAPTER XIII.
KATY EMPLOYS AN ASSISTANT.
As winter approached, Katy realized that the demand for molasses
candy was on the increase, and she found it necessary to make a
much larger quantity. Mrs. Colvin still rendered her assistance
"for a consideration," and the supply was thus made to correspond
with the demand.
Mrs. Redburn's health which had begun to improve with the advent
of their prosperity, now enabled her to sit up nearly the whole
day, and to render much aid in the household affairs, and
especially in the manufacturing of the candy. The good fortune
that had attended Katy's efforts brought many additional comforts
to their humble dwelling; indeed, they had everything that they
needed, and everything that any poor person would have required.
But the fond mother had never been able to reconcile herself to
the business which Katy followed. She dreaded every day lest the
temptations to which it constantly exposed her might lead her
astray. She loved her daughter with all her heart, and she would
rather have died in poverty and want than have had her corrupted.
She had every reason to believe that Katy was the pure and
innocent child she had always been; but she feared, as she grew
older, that some harm might befall her. She would rather bury her
than see her become a bad person, and she hoped soon to be able
to resume her own labors, and let Katy abandon her dangerous
business.
Mrs. Redburn often talked with her about the perils that lay in
her path; but Katy spoke like one who was fortified by good
resolutions and a strong will. She declared that she knew what
dangers were in her way, and that she could resist all the
temptations that beset her. Whatever views the mother had, there
seemed to be no opportunity to carry them out, for by Katy's
labors they were fed, clothed, and housed. She was her mother's
only support, and the candy trade, perilous as it was, could not
be given up.
Katy did not desire to abandon the business she had built up, for
she was proud of her achievement. She was resolved to be good and
true, and to her it did not seem half so perilous as to others.
She had even indulged some thoughts of enlarging her business.
Why could she not have a shop, and sell candy on a counter as
well as in the street? She mentioned this idea to her mother, who
was sure the shop could not succeed, for she was aware that her
daughter's winning manners were more than half her stock in
trade, and that her large sales resulted from carrying the candy
to hundreds of people who did not want it enough to go after it.
Therefore Katy gave up the shop at once, but she did not abandon
the idea of enlarging her business, though she did not exactly
see how it could be done. One day an accident solved the problem
for her, and at that time commenced a new era in the candy trade.
One pleasant morning in November, as she walked up the court, she
met Ann Grippen, a sister of Johnny who stopped to talk with her.
The Grippen family consisted of eleven persons. The father was a
day laborer, and as his wages were small, and he had a great many
mouths to feed, they were, of course, miserably poor. The older
children showed no ability or disposition to help their parents
but spent most of their time in strolling about the streets.
Johnny was a fair specimen of the boys, as Ann was of the girls.
She might have been seen almost any day with a well-worn basket
on her arm, exploring the streets and wharves in search of chips,
for Johnny was too vicious to do the work which more properly
belonged to him.
"You sell lots of candy now--don't you?" said Ann.
"Yes, a great deal," replied Katy, who was not disposed to spend
her time idly, and in the company of one whose reputation in the
neighborhood was not very good.
"Stop a minute--won't you? I want to speak to you."
"I will; but be as quick as you can, for I am in a hurry."
"Don't you think I could sell candy?" continued Ann.
"I dare say you could. Why don't you try, if you want to?"
"But I haven't got no candy; and mother can't make it, as you
can. If you are a mind to let me have some, I will sell it for
you, and you may give me what you like."
The idea struck the little merchant very favorably. There were a
great many girls just like Ann Grippen, who were wasting their
time about the streets, and learning to be wicked. Why couldn't
she employ them to sell candy?
"I will try you," replied Katy.
"Well, I'm all ready to begin."
"Not yet," said the little candy merchant, with a smile.
"Yes, I am."
"Your face and hands are very dirty."
"What odds will that make?" asked Ann, rather indignantly.
"Do you suppose anybody would eat a stick of candy after you had
touched it with those dirty fingers? Your customers would be
afraid of being poisoned."
"I s'pose I can wash 'em," replied Ann, who seemed still to
regard it as a very unnecessary operation.
"It would be a good plan; and while you are about it you must not
forget your face."
"I ain't a-going to touch the candy with my face," added Ann,
triumphantly
"Very true; but if people saw you with such a dirty face, they
would be afraid your candy was not very clean."
"Any way you like. I will wash my face and hands both, if that's
all."
"But that isn't all. Your dress is very dirty and very ragged."
"I can't afford to dress like a lady," said Ann, who had some of
her brother's disposition, and under any other circumstances
would have resented Katy's plain home thrusts.
"You needn't dress like a lady; but the neater and cleaner you
are, the more candy you will sell."
"I will fix up as much as I can."
"Very well; if you will come to my house to-morrow morning, I
will let you have some candy."
"How much will you give me for selling it?" asked Ann.
"I can't tell now; I will think about it, and let you know when
you come."
Katy went her way, turning over and over in her mind the scheme
which Ann's application had suggested to her. She might employ a
dozen girls, or even more than that, and pay them so much a dozen
for selling the candy. She might then stop going out to sell
herself, and thus gratify her mother. She could even go to
school, and still attend to her business.
When she returned home at noon, she proposed the plan to her
mother. Mrs. Redburn was much pleased with it, though she
suggested many difficulties in the way of its success. The girls
might not be honest; but if they were not, they could be
discharged. Many of them were vicious; they would steal or be
saucy, so that people would not permit them to enter their stores
and offices, and the business would thus be brought into
disrepute. Katy determined to employ the best girls she could
find, and to tell them all that they must behave like ladies.
The next morning Ann Grippen appeared with her face and hands
tolerably clean, and wearing a dress which by a liberal
construction could be called decent. She brought a dirty, rusty
old tray, which was the best she could obtain; yet in spite of
all these disadvantages, the little candy merchant looked upon it
as a hopeful case.
"Now, Ann, you must be very civil to everybody you meet," said
Katy, as she covered the rusty tray with a sheet of clean white
paper.
"I hope I know how to behave myself," replied Ann, rather
crustily.
"I dare say you do;" and she might have hinted that there was
some difference between knowing how to do a thing and doing it.
"I was only going to tell you how to sell candy. If you don't
want me to tell you, I won't."
"I should like to have you tell me, but I guess I know how to
behave."
"You must be very civil to everybody, even when they don't speak
very pleasant to you."
"I don't know about that," replied Ann, doubtfully, for it was
contrary to the Grippen philosophy to be very civil to any one,
much less to those who were not civil to them.
"When any one buys any candy of you, you must always say, `Thank
you'; and then the next time you meet the person he will buy
again."
"How much you going to give me for selling?" demanded Ann,
abruptly cutting short the instructions.
"Mother thinks you ought to have four cents a dozen."
"Four cents? My mother says I ought to have half, and I ain't
going to sell your candy for no four cents a dozen."
"Very well; you needn't if you don't wish to do so;" and Katy
removed the sheet of white paper she had placed over the dirty
tray.
"You ought to give me half I get," added Ann, rather softened by
Katy's firmness and decision.
"Four cents is enough. I often sell a hundred sticks in a day."
"Well, I don't care; I will try it once."
"If we find we can afford to pay any more than four cents, we
will do so."
Katy covered the tray again, and arranged two dozen sticks on it
in an attractive manner. After giving Ann some further
instructions in the art of selling candy, she permitted her to
depart on her mission. She was not very confident in regard to
her success for Ann was too coarse and ill-mannered for a good
sales-woman. She hoped for the best, however, and after preparing
her own tray, she went out to attend to business as usual. In the
court she saw Master Simon Sneed, who was sitting on his father's
doorstep. She noticed that he looked sad and downhearted; and
when he spoke to her the tones of his voice indicated the same
depression of spirits.
"Have you seen the Mayor lately, Katy?" asked Simon, as he
approached.
"Not very lately"
"I should like to see him," added he, raising his eyes to her.
"Why don't you call upon him? You know where he lives--don't
you?"
"Yes, but----"
Master Simon paused, as though he did not like to explain the
reason. Katy waited for him to proceed, but as he did not, she
remarked that he looked very sad, and she hoped nothing had
happened.
"Something has happened," replied he, gloomily.
"Nothing bad, I hope."
"I have left my place at Sands & Co.'s.
"Left it? Why, how can they possibly get along without you?"
exclaimed Katy.
"It is their own fault; and though I say it who should not say
it, they will never find another young man who will do as much
for them as I have done."
"I shouldn't think they would have let you go."
"Nor I; but some men never know when they are well used."
"How did it happed?"
"I asked them for an increase of salary, and told them I could
stay no longer unless they did so. And what do you think they
did?"
"I don't know; I should suppose they would have raised your
salary."
"No, Katy," added Simon, bitterly. "Mr. Sands told me I might go;
he wouldn't have me at any rate. Wasn't that cool? Well, well; if
they don't know their own interest, they must bear the
consequences. If they fail, or lose all their trade, they can't
blame me for it. Now I have nothing to do; and I was just
thinking whether my friend the mayor couldn't help me into a
situation."
"I dare say he can. Why don't you call and see him at once?"
"I don't like to do so. He sees so many persons that I really
don't think he would recollect me. I must get something to do,
though; for my father is sick, and winter is coming on."
"How much salary did you get, Master Simon?" asked Katy, who
highly approved his determination not to be a burden upon his
father.
"Two dollars and a half a week."
"Is that all!"
"Yes; they ought to have given me ten. Even that was better than
nothing."
"I was thinking of something, Master Simon," said Katy, after a
pause.
"What, Katy?"
"I make four or five dollars a week."
"Is it possible!"
"If you have a mind to sell candy, I will furnish you all you
want, so that you can make at least three dollars a week."
The lip of Master Simon slowly curled, till his face bore an
expression of sovereign contempt. He rose from his seat, and
fixed his eyes rather sternly upon the little candy merchant, who
began to think she had made a bad mistake, though all the time
she had intended to do a kind act.
"What have I done, Katy, that you should insult me? Do you think
I have sunk so low as to peddle candy about the streets?" said
he, contemptuously.
"Do you think I have sunk very low, Master Simon?" asked Katy,
with a pleasant smile on her face.
"Your business is very low," he replied, more gently.
"Is that business low by which I honestly make money enough to
support my sick mother and myself?"
"It would be low for me; my ideas run a little higher than that,"
answered Simon, rather disposed to apologize for his hard words;
for Katy's smile had conquered him, as a smile oftener will
conquer than a hard word.
"You know best; but if I can do anything for you, Master Simon, I
shall be very glad to do so."
"Thank you, Katy; you mean right, but never speak to me about
selling candy again. I think you can help me."
"Then I will."
"I will see you again when I get my plan arranged. In the
meantime, if you happen to meet my friend the mayor, just speak a
good word for me."
"I will;" and Katy left him.
CHAPTER XIV.
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