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

ad a very tolerable idea of the management of a frying-pan. The operation of cleaning the flounders was the greatest trial, for the skin of the fish has to be removed. She

er mother, and with it placed the delicate little flounder by the side of the bed. The invalid had no appetite, but to please Katy she ate a portion of the fish and bread though it was very

self, combed her hair, sewed up a great rent in her dress, and otherwise attempt

watch is carried off, I want to tell you something abo

questions, and did not seem willing to tell her all she knew. She thought there was some secret connected with his history, and with a child's curiosity she was eager to have the mystery unfolded

ose words on there-'All for the Be

" replied Mrs. Redburn, with a deep sigh, for the

er?" asked the att

He was a merchant in Liverpoo

a rich man, and lived in a great

as determined not to leave Liverpool till he had found the money. He was sure he knew the man who had robbed him, and my father procured the services of several policemen to assist him in his search. All that day and all that night, attended by policemen, he visited the resorts of vice and crime, and his perseverance was rewarded with success. He found the man, and the money was recovered. My father was so well pleased with the energy of the young man, that he gave him a situation in

h, and lived in a fine house? You are very poor now;"

face with her hands, as the pleasant memories o

questions," said Katy, grieved to find she ha

h the new clerk, John Redburn, and the result of our acquaintance was, that we were married in about a year. We ran away from home; for my father, however much he liked John as a clerk, was not w

ruel," inte

father procured a situation in New York, where you were born, about a year after we arrived. For thre

would rather not hear it. I know now why you value the watc

u must hear the res

done very well in New York; and, gay and light-hearted in the midst of his prosperity, his habits had been gradually growing worse and worse, till he lost his situation, and became

y wife. Once he had the resolution to abandon the cup, fully determined to redeem his lost character, and make his family happy again. The better to accomplish this, he removed to Boston, wh

he was fortunate in obtaining plenty of sewing, and was able to support herself and child very well; but her husband, now lost to all sense of decency, contrived to obtain, from time to time, a portion of her hard earnings. She c

ed in the watch-house of delirium tremens. He was buried, and pe

e had been bred in opulence, and her wants were not so few and simple as the wants of those who have never enjoyed the luxury of a so

herself and child, than it would have been

e had been taken sick, and was no longer able to work. Her disease was an affec

?" asked Katy, when her mothe

is alive, he probabl

ou write a l

, giving an account of my situation. I am sure my father never could have got my letter, or he would hav

t you wri

s use

e will send you some money then: perhaps he will send for us to go to Li

world. In my letters I confessed my fault, and begged his forgiveness. He

y brothers and

al letters to her, but with no better succe

our mo

ow Jane would have answered my l

s your

with soft carpets, and their tables with nice food, while I lie here in misery, and my poor child actually suffers

ay. I am going to take care of you now, you have taken care of me so long," re

you do, po

s; I am sure I can earn mone

ered, and how much of woe there may be in

n the watch-'All for the Best.' Who knows b

e for you to go. Pawn the watch for as much as you can; and I

wn her hair again, put on her wo