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

her return from Temple Street. Promptly at the hour, she presented herself at Mrs. Gordon's, and they went to the house

be an honest calling and though she was too proud to beg, she was not too proud to work, or to take a very humble position among the people around her. She did not look upon the act of selling candy to the passers-by in the streets as degrad

d announced the ill success of her visit to the mayor's house. "I

Mrs. Redburn, smiling at th

be angry with me, or obj

hat is y

ration. "You know what nice molasses candy you used to make for me. Mrs. Sneed and Mrs. Col

ble to make candy now.

lay there and tell me how

hard work

't min

l it?" asked Mrs. Redburn, casting an anxi

d offer it to the folks th

r, raising her head on the bed. "Do you th

ot, mo

der about the streets exposed to the insults and rude jests of the

see any harm in selling candy t

f selling candy; but what a life for you to

ur pride,

I have: some pr

or and proud. We haven't go

could banish it," replied Mr

r, and if I can't get along

to a great many tri

nage them

the insults of ev

don't care for others. I can pity them, and run away

d she did not like to disappoint her. It is true, she keenly felt the degradation of such a life, and even feared that Katy might be led astray

ecution. It seemed to her as though she had crossed the threshold of fortune and had actually entered the great temple. She h

ernoon, so that I can commence selling it early to-morrow

to get it with. We have no mon

buy the molasses. I borrowed it," r

? Pray who would

Grace

asked Mrs. Redburn, casting

e it to me; but I told her I could not take it. She laughed at me, and I said I was poor and proud. She wou

Mrs. Redburn, blushing with sham

was, but I mean to pay her, and

" sighed the

y her soon, for I mean

be disa

alk up smart to them just as the shopkeepers do; I am going to tell them what

lk so. It is sad to think a child of mine should relish su

ast New Year's day, mother? It was all about false pride; I

d Mrs. Redburn, who could not but acknow

on in private, it would not have seemed so galling. For years she had been a recluse from society, mingling only with her humble neighbors, and with them no more than her circumstances required. She had labored in solitude, and shunned observation

good fire, got the kettle on, and everything in readiness for the work. Her mother gave

r with which she had plentifully daubed her hands, was as obstinate as a mule. It would not work one way or another; now it melted down, and stuck to her fingers, and then it became as solid as a rock. She fretted some at these crosses, and as her spirits sank, her mo

s achievement when he had crossed the Atlantic, or, Napoleon when he had crossed the Alps. She danced for joy as she gazed upon the clear, straight sticks of candy, as they were arranged in the pan. It was a great conquest for her; but at what a sacrifice it had been won! Her little hands, unu

ass before she was interrupted by the entran

woman. "I thought you were all sick, and here y

ell, Mrs. Howard," r

ueer child! Do you think

ring she was sure she could support her mother and herself by making and selling

exclaimed Mrs. Howard, as she glanced

idea, but she has more courage than I ever

hey will soon get hard, like mine, with the labor," replied Mrs. Howard, as sh

d I hope I shall be able to d

large mass of candy, and commenced pulling it with a vigor that astonished the weak-handed little girl. "You're a jewel and a blessing, and you're

d proud," said

have none of it here; for some of your neighbors

a moment, to continue her remarks without opposition. She and Katy worked with all their might till the

sed her to forget her smarting hands; and when she could no longer keep her eyes open