Poor and Proud; Or, The Fortunes of Katy Redburn: A Story for Young Folks

and ragged garments, as she stooped down and looked into the basket of the d

rew the basket out of the reach of the supplicant. "

venile angler who sat on the caps

ly assumed the form of a pair of fists, scientifically disposed and ready to b

d not seem to be at all alarmed at the

h your head," continued John

hear me? Onc

threw the fish into his basket. It was rather refreshing t

more, and see what I'l

n't d

n't say

n't; at any ra

d Johnny, desperately, for it seemed as though he

ust what

defeat flashed through his excited brain and discretion seemed the better part of valor. Yet he was not disposed to abandon his position,

mmy," said the l

an artistic attitude, ready to strike the first blow,-"only if

trike. He was a

he girl, turning to the excited a

him tell me I hooked them

't mean

e caught 'em on a hook; so of cour

d grin overspreading his dirty face, and his f

kull is as thick as a two-inch plank,

ee n

bloody nose. Johnny was a bully, and he had a bully's reputation to maintain; but he never fought when the odds were against him; and he had a congressman's skill in bac

" said the little ragged girl, as sh

asked Tommy turning round and g

and her lips compressed, as though

plied, at last,

the matt

g fisherman gazed a tear started from her eye, and slid down her cheek. Tommy's

eplied Katy, dashing a

t what do you wa

s not been able to do any work for more than three months: and we haven'

from his seat on the capsill of the pier. "How wil

did not contain a string, however; but mixed up with a piece of cord, a slate pencil, an iron hinge, two marbles, a brass ring, and six inches of sto

ourt, buy a two-cent roll," whispered he. "Got a bit o' string, Johnn

ce of my fish line, if you want," replied

;" and Tommy ran half way up the pier to the bridge, picke

or three. I never shall forget you, Tommy," said

th you, Katy, and I wish I cou

t put any more on the string. The

nded her the string of fish. "Stop a minute; here's a first-rate tom-cod;

the two cents; I will pay you again some time," said

y again for a minute. Come to me, and

had brought with her, she hastened up the pier, no d

to furnish abundant sport to a motley group of youngsters wherein the sons of merchants mingled democratically with the dirty, ragged children of the "Ten-footers" in the vicinity. The pier was neutral ground, and Frederic Augustus made a

the corner and purchased the two-cent roll which Tommy Howard's bounty enabled her to add to her feast. Elated with the success of her mission, she quickened her pace up the court

ers and some bread for you!" exclaim

ber; and Katy perceived, standing near the bed on wh

ng art now. If he had failed to make a physician, it was not because his heart was so tender that he could not bear to look upon pain and suffering. He was the agent of Mrs. Gordon, a widow lady, who owned the house in which Katy's mother lived. He collected her rents, and transacted all her business; and as far as dollars and cents were concerned, he had c

mation of Katy, "you have told me a falsehood. You said you

he court," replied Katy, abashed

o deceive me. I have pitied you up to the present time, and indulged you in the non-payme

e not," pleaded

ild buys

give her

buy that roll with?" demanded Dr

ward gave

Tommy

he other side

Mrs. Redburn. I lament that a person in your situation should have no higher views of Ch

nd when a tenant did not pay the rent, it was his purpose to get rid of that tenant in the quietest way possible. In the present case there was a difficulty, and public opinion would not justify him in turning a sick woman out of the ho

ho did not know anything about him. If Mrs. Gordon should happen to hear that he had turned out the sick woman, he could then i

se; if you are not gone then, I shall be under the painful necessity of removing your goods i

the sick woman, as she grasped Katy's hand, an

done. I will go and see Mrs. Gordon

troubled her about the house, I should not sta

nd I don't believe Mrs. Gor

away her tears, and taking from under her pillow a heavy silver watch. "

to have that

ell it, or

l pawn

t strength to rise, and they w

to go with me to the pawnbroker's shop. He is very kind to me

Katy then went to work to c