poor and proud-第12章

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〃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　medicinesdon'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　mothera　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