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

ss that had attended her forenoon's exertions was gratifying beyond her expectations, and she felt as though she had already solved

ndy, resolved to sell the whole of it before she returned. Her mother tried to induce her to stay in the house and rest

asy about me. I am going to make lots of money, and you shall have eve

me, and rest yourself; you h

her; I feel just as if I c

ion in your head. I am afraid you will

omise you I won't," replied

t, some of them called out to her, and asked her where she was going with all that candy. She took no notice of them, for they spoke very rudely, and were no friends of hers. Among them was Johnny Grippen, whose acquaintanc

andy?" repeated the juvenile bully,

," replied Katy, findi

nk, will you?

am going to sell it, to

give a fell

aps I'll give you

As she made her firm but conciliatory reply, she moved on, hoping they would not attempt to annoy her. It was a

stingy, Katy," c

I owe you anything," replied Katy, gath

le ruffian, as he placed himself in front of

; I'm in a hur

some can

nswered Katy, lo

't y

movement, and turning up a narrow alley way, ran off. Johnny was not to be balked, and followed her; and then she

he bully's companions. "Jo

!" replied Jo

me of being able to whip any boy of his size in the neighborhood. He was always ready to fight, and had, perhaps, given some hard knocks in his time; but he sustained his character rather by his talent for bullying, than by any conquests he had won. On the whole he was a miserable, contemptible little bru

e "fighting character," be he young or old. Nine times out

nd though he never went an inch out of his way to avoid a fight with him, it so happened they had never fought. He was entirely indifferent to his threats, and had no great opinion of his courage. Johnny had "stumped" him to fight, and even taken off

ghborhood, one of his subjects was unconquered and rebellious. But Johnny had discretion-and bullies general

with quick pace up the court, without deigning to

y, and I'll lick him now," said John

" replied Katy, poin

Katy; don't

candy?" said Johnny, ste

placing himself between her and

ade another dive at the tray, but Katy's cham

his fists, and placing himself in the most appr

bosom swelled with indignation, still preserved his wonted coolness; and i

o fight!" shouted Johnn

ard, or you wouldn't have treated a girl like that," repl

and I'll black

heard me; but I will tel

Just say

not repeat the offensive remark, and Johnny's supporters began to think he was not half so anxious to fight as he seemed, which was certainly true. I have

such a thing as two boys getting up a fight and having it out alone. There must be a crowd of bruisers and "scallewags" around, to keep up the courage

depart. He turned to do so, and walked several steps down the alley,

f the vagabond troops that fol

fight," rep

" added another o

ck, and he could not stand it. If he did not thrash

but as Tommy did not come, he ran up behind

went into action with all the energy and skill of a true bruiser. Tommy was now fully roused, and his blows, which were strictly in self-defense, fell rapidly and heavily on the head of his assailant. But I am not going to give my young readers the particulars of the fight; and I would

as thoroughly "cowed down," as though he had been fighting with a royal Bengal tiger. His supremacy was at an end, and there was danger

iness," said Tommy, as he gazed with mingled pi

account for his defeat in any other way. "If you're a m

in, you needn't stop to let me know it beforehand. But I will tell you this much: if you ever put your hand on Katy Redburn, or meddle with her in any wa

and the victor in the conquest departed, leaving the bully to e

joined her at the foot of the alley, where she had

he is a coward. I'm sorry I had to thras

him, Tommy. I shall never forget you, as long as I live, and I

and see him insult a girl. But I must go now. I told Johnny if he ever med

," replied Katy, as To

er path might be a thorny one. But her light heart soon triumphed over doubts and fears, and