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

, but worthy of respect on account of one's lands, houses, and money. In the former sense it was still occupied by very respectable families, though none of them possessed much of the "goods tha

, the

and unpaid. Dr. Flynch took a great deal of pleasure in telling Mrs. Redburn how his humanity and his regard for the welfare of the poor had induced him to

, or that Master Simon Sneed had a father, being at a loss to determine which was the more important personage of the two; but I

g herself on the door stone, she permitted her mind to wander back to the narrative her mother had related to her. She glanced at her coarse clothes, and could hardly believe that her grandfather was a rich

or stone. "I am a beggar, and what right have I to think of being a fine lady, while my poor sick mot

ce from the door, which Katy recog

you very much

nt, and I wi

is so much of a curiosity, and so much of a character,

which I write, it was the fashion for gentlemen to wear straps upon their pantaloons; and accordingly Master Simon Sneed wore straps on his pantaloons, though, it is

but though he was a juvenile dandy, it was evident that it

is own. In a word, the appearance of his clothes, coarse as was their texture, and unfashionable as was their cut, indicated the most scru

ould hold his own in conversation with older and wiser persons than himself. He could astonish almost any person of moderate pretensions by the largeness of his ideas; and, of late years

firm could not possibly get along a single day; in short, a sort of Atlas, on whose broad shoulders the vast world of the Messrs. Sands & Co.'s affairs rested. But according to the reckoning of the firm, and the general understanding of people, Master Simon was a boy in the store, whose duty it was to m

rcantile relations with the firm of Sands & Co.; and how he managed all their business for them after the store was closed at night, and before the front door was unlocked in the morning; how he went to the bank after immense sums of money; and how the firm would have to give up business if he should die, or be obliged to leave them. Katy believed that Master Simon was a great man, and she wo

u?" inquired Simon, as he elevated his hea

something for me

ur busine

ouse to-day, and wants the re

sitated to reveal the family trouble. "It is really unfortunate, Katy;

want to borr

you d

nged to my father; and I want to paw

f our line of business to

r's. Mother says I am so young and so small that they might cheat me

aster Simon, as he eyed he

replied Katy, with a

very glad to assist yo

ea of the principal personage of the house of Sands & Co. walking through the streets of the great city with such an ill-dressed young

wish to go?"

n't k

where Bratt

but I ca

rsonal attention for a moment, but I will join you in Brattle S

nk y

ould find the street, and at the end of the co

Simon soon joined her; and directing her to follow him

imon, as he directed the attention of the astonished broker to Ka

me se

and carefully examined. His practised eye soon discove

get this?" as

he pitiful story of want and destitution which compelled M

e dollars for the wat

a little too bad. A gentleman of your judgment and discretion has

very much impressed by the style of the remark. But Katy d

ble one," said the broker, "and

rance, on honor that her sto

's fine speeches, and would not take the watch at any rate; so t

roker sourly, and Katy repeated her s

ker, "I will put the watch into my s

rdinary proceeding," p

the police! You stole the watch, and have the audacity to brin

over to the police; but his sense of dignity compelled him to enter his earnest protest, against the proceeding of the broker, and even to threaten h

e mayor, in such a manner that entire justice shall be done you," whispered Simon. "I

poor mother!"

for I will call in the whole police force of Boston to your aid;" and Master Simon ran away to attend to

she wandered home to tell her