poor and proud-第13章

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〃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'amI　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　giftof　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　ver