章节正文
"Here is a very honest little girl," said her friend, "who has
the very best molasses candy I ever ate. If any of you have a
sweet tooth, or any children at home, I advise you to patronize
her."
The bookkeeper laughed, and the workmen laughed, as they began to
feel in their pockets for loose change. It was evident that the
friendly introduction was to be of great service to her. She
passed along from one man to another, and almost every one of
them bought two or three sticks of candy, and before she had been
to all of them her stock was entirely exhausted. Katy was
astonished at her good fortune, and the men were all exceedingly
good-natured. They seemed disposed to make a pleasant thing of
her visit, and to give her a substantial benefit.
"Now, my little girl," said the bookkeeper, "when you wish to
visit the workshop again, you may enter without further
permission; and I am sure the men will all be very glad to see
you."
"But I want some of that candy," said one of the workmen. "My
little girl would jump to get a stick."
"Then she shall have some," replied Katy. "for I will go home and
get some more;" and she left the building and hastened home for a
further supply of the popular merchandise.
"O mother! I have sold out all my candy, and I want a lot more!"
exclaimed she, as she rushed into the room, full of excitement
and enthusiasm.
"Be calm, child; you will throw yourself into a fever," replied
Mrs. Redburn. "You must learn to take things more easily."
"O dear! I have only twenty sticks left. I wish I had a hundred,
for I am sure I could sell them."
"Perhaps it is fortunate you have no more."
"But I must make some more to-night for to-morrow."
"Don't drive round so, Katy. Be reasonable, and don't think too
much of your success."
But Katy could not stop to argue the matter, though, as she
walked along the street, she thought of what her mother had said,
and tried to calm the excitement that agitated her. It was hard
work to keep from running every step of the way; but her mother's
advice must be heeded, and to some extent she succeeded in
controlling her violent impulses. As it was, she reached the
piano-forte manufactory quite out of breath, and rushed into the
workroom as though she had come on an errand of vital importance
to its occupants.
It required but a few minutes to dispose of her small stock of
candy. The workmen all hoped she would come again, and she
departed highly elated at her success.
"There, mother, I have sold all the candy. What do you think of
that?" said she, as she entered her mother's room, and threw off
her bonnet and shawl.
"You have done very well, I had no idea that you could sell more
than twenty or thirty sticks in a day."
"It's a great day's work, mother; and if I can sell half as much
in a day, I shall be satisfied. Don't you think I shall be able
to support you?"
"At this rate you can do much more; but, Katy, I tremble for
you."
"Why, mother?"
"You get so excited, and run so, I am afraid it will make you
sick."
"O, no, it won't, mother. I feel as strong as a horse. I am not
tired in the least."
"You don't feel so now, because you are so excited by your
success."
"I shall get used to it in a little while."
"I hope so, if you mean to follow this business."
"If I mean to? Why mother, what else could I do to make so much
money? See here;" and she poured the money she had taken upon the
bed-quilt before her mother. "One dollar and thirty-six cents,
mother! Only think of it! But I won't jump so another day; I will
take it easy."
"I wish you would."
"I will try very hard; but you can't think how happy I feel! Dear
me! I am wasting my time, when I have to make the candy for
to-morrow."
"But, Katy, you must not do any more to-night. You will certainly
be sick."
"I must make it, mother."
"Your hands are very sore now."
"They are better; and I don't feel tired a bit."
"I will tell you what you may do, if you must make the candy
to-night. When you have got the molasses boiled, you may ask Mrs.
Colvin, the washerwoman, to come in and pull it for you; for you
are not strong enough to do it yourself."
"I should not like to ask her. She's a poor woman, and it would
be just the same as begging to ask her to give me her work."
"You don't understand me, Katy. She goes out to work whenever she
can get a chance. Her price is ten cents an hour. You can engage
her for one or two hours, and pay her for her labor. This is the
only way you can get along with this business."
"I will do that. It won't take more than an hour."
Mrs. Colvin was accordingly engaged, though at first she
positively refused to be paid for her services; but when Katy
told her she should want her for one or two hours every day, she
consented to the arrangement. Early in the evening the candy was
all made, and Katy's day's work was finished. Notwithstanding her
repeated declaration that she was not tired, the bed "felt good"
to her, and she slept all the more soundly for the hard work and
the good deeds she had done.
CHAPTER XII.
KATY PAYS HER DEBTS, AND TOMMY GOES TO SEA.
Katy's second day's sales, though not so large as those of the
first day, were entirely satisfactory. The profits, after paying
for the "stock" and for the services of Mrs. Colvin, were nearly
a dollar, and her heart beat with renewed hope at this continued
success. Her grand idea hardly seemed like an experiment now, for
she had proved that she could make good candy, and that people
were willing to buy the article. She met with about the same
treatment from those to whom she offered her wares; one spoke
kindly, and purchased by wholesale, and another spoke gruffly,
and would not buy even a single stick. Here she was driven out of
doors, and there she was petted, and made large sales.
So far as Katy's person and manners were concerned, she was
admirably adapted to the business she had chosen. She was rather
small in stature for one of her age, but she was very well
formed, and her movements were agile and graceful. Her face was
not as pretty as it might have been, but her expression was
artless and winning. Her light brown hair hung in curls upon her
shoulders, and contributed not a little to make up the deficiency
in what the painters and sculptors would call a finely chiseled
face.
If she had been dressed in silk, and lace, and embroidery, I
doubt not people would have called her pretty, though in my
opinion it does not make much difference whether she was pretty
or not; for, after all, the best way to judge of a person's
beauty is by the old standard, "Handsome is that handsome does."
But I have said thus much about Katy's face and form in order to
explain the secret of her great success as a candy merchant.
Hundreds of persons would buy a stick of candy of a little girl
with a pretty face and a graceful form, who would not do so of
one less attractive. Though she was well favored in this respect,
I believe it was her gentle, polite manners, her sweet voice,
made sweet by a loving heart, that contributed most to her
success. But above all the accidents of a good form, graceful
movements, brown ringlets, and a pleasing address, she prospered
in trade because she was in earnest, and persevered in all her
efforts. A person cannot succeed in business by being merely good
looking, though this may sometimes be of much assistance. It is
patience, perseverance, energy, and above all, integrity and
uprightness, that lead to the true success.
Encouraged by her prosperity, Katy continued to sell candy with
about the same result as had cheered her heart on the first two
days. Her profits, however, were not so great as on those two
days, and did not average above seventy-five cents a day or four
dollars and a half a week. This was doing exceedingly well, and
she had every reason to be grateful for her good fortune.
At the end of three weeks, rent day came round again, and Dr.
Flynch called for the money. To his utter astonishment, it was
ready for him, and he departed without a single ill-natured word,
though this was, perhaps, because he had a wholesome regard for
the opinion of Mrs. Gordon. Two weeks later Katy found that her
savings were sufficient to enable her to pay the month's rent for
which Mrs. Gordon had given a receipt, and also the dollar which
Grace had loaned her. These debts had pressed heavily on her
mind. She knew that they were regarded as free gifts and her
pride prompted her to remove what she considered a stain upon her
character. Till they were paid, she felt like a beggar.
Taking her money one day, she paid a visit to Temple Street.
Michael opened the door and received her with a smile. Knowing
she was in favor with his mistress, he conducted her to the
sitting-room, where the portraits hung. Those roguish eyes of the
lady, who somewhat resembled her mother, were fixed on her again.
She was sure that her mother did not look like that picture then,
but she was equally sure that she had, some time or other cast
just such a glance at her. The expression of the lady found
something like its counterpart in her memory. Now, her mother
was sick and sad; she seldom smiled. But some time she must have
been a young girl, and then she must have looked like that
portrait. She felt just like asking Mrs. Gordon if that was her
portrait, but she did not dare to do such a thing. While she was
attentively watching the roguish lady's face, her kind friend
entered the room, followed by Grace.
"How do you do, Katy?" said the former, with a benevolent smile.
"Quite well, I thank you, ma'am. I hope you will excuse me for
coming again," replied she.
"I am very glad you have come."
"I was thinking of you the other day, and wishing I might see
you," added Grace, "for the Mayor told us a very pretty story
about you."
"He was very good to me; and I never shall forget him or you,"
answered Katy, warmly.
"I suppose you have come to get another receipt; but I told Dr.
Flynch not to disturb you," said Mrs. Gordon.
"O, no ma'am--I didn't come for that. You were too kind to me
before, and I have come now to pay you for that month's rent."
"Indeed?"
"Yes, ma'am; we have been able to earn money enough, and I am
very glad that I can pay it," replied Katy, taking the four
dollars from her pocket. "Here it is."
"No, my child; you shall keep it. I will not take it."
Katy's cheeks flushed, for she did not feel poor and proud then.
She felt rich; that is she was proud of being able to pay all she
owed, and she did not like to be thought capable of accepting a
gift--of being the recipient of charity. But she knew the hearts
of her kind friends, and left unspoken the words of indignation
that trembled on her tongue. "Please to take the money, ma'am,"
said she her cheeks still red with shame.
"No, my child; you are a good girl; I will not take your money."
"I shall feel very bad if you don't, and it will make my mother
very unhappy."
"Nay, Katy, you must not be too proud."
"I am not too proud to ask or to accept a favor, but please don't
make me feel like a beggar."
the very best molasses candy I ever ate. If any of you have a
sweet tooth, or any children at home, I advise you to patronize
her."
The bookkeeper laughed, and the workmen laughed, as they began to
feel in their pockets for loose change. It was evident that the
friendly introduction was to be of great service to her. She
passed along from one man to another, and almost every one of
them bought two or three sticks of candy, and before she had been
to all of them her stock was entirely exhausted. Katy was
astonished at her good fortune, and the men were all exceedingly
good-natured. They seemed disposed to make a pleasant thing of
her visit, and to give her a substantial benefit.
"Now, my little girl," said the bookkeeper, "when you wish to
visit the workshop again, you may enter without further
permission; and I am sure the men will all be very glad to see
you."
"But I want some of that candy," said one of the workmen. "My
little girl would jump to get a stick."
"Then she shall have some," replied Katy. "for I will go home and
get some more;" and she left the building and hastened home for a
further supply of the popular merchandise.
"O mother! I have sold out all my candy, and I want a lot more!"
exclaimed she, as she rushed into the room, full of excitement
and enthusiasm.
"Be calm, child; you will throw yourself into a fever," replied
Mrs. Redburn. "You must learn to take things more easily."
"O dear! I have only twenty sticks left. I wish I had a hundred,
for I am sure I could sell them."
"Perhaps it is fortunate you have no more."
"But I must make some more to-night for to-morrow."
"Don't drive round so, Katy. Be reasonable, and don't think too
much of your success."
But Katy could not stop to argue the matter, though, as she
walked along the street, she thought of what her mother had said,
and tried to calm the excitement that agitated her. It was hard
work to keep from running every step of the way; but her mother's
advice must be heeded, and to some extent she succeeded in
controlling her violent impulses. As it was, she reached the
piano-forte manufactory quite out of breath, and rushed into the
workroom as though she had come on an errand of vital importance
to its occupants.
It required but a few minutes to dispose of her small stock of
candy. The workmen all hoped she would come again, and she
departed highly elated at her success.
"There, mother, I have sold all the candy. What do you think of
that?" said she, as she entered her mother's room, and threw off
her bonnet and shawl.
"You have done very well, I had no idea that you could sell more
than twenty or thirty sticks in a day."
"It's a great day's work, mother; and if I can sell half as much
in a day, I shall be satisfied. Don't you think I shall be able
to support you?"
"At this rate you can do much more; but, Katy, I tremble for
you."
"Why, mother?"
"You get so excited, and run so, I am afraid it will make you
sick."
"O, no, it won't, mother. I feel as strong as a horse. I am not
tired in the least."
"You don't feel so now, because you are so excited by your
success."
"I shall get used to it in a little while."
"I hope so, if you mean to follow this business."
"If I mean to? Why mother, what else could I do to make so much
money? See here;" and she poured the money she had taken upon the
bed-quilt before her mother. "One dollar and thirty-six cents,
mother! Only think of it! But I won't jump so another day; I will
take it easy."
"I wish you would."
"I will try very hard; but you can't think how happy I feel! Dear
me! I am wasting my time, when I have to make the candy for
to-morrow."
"But, Katy, you must not do any more to-night. You will certainly
be sick."
"I must make it, mother."
"Your hands are very sore now."
"They are better; and I don't feel tired a bit."
"I will tell you what you may do, if you must make the candy
to-night. When you have got the molasses boiled, you may ask Mrs.
Colvin, the washerwoman, to come in and pull it for you; for you
are not strong enough to do it yourself."
"I should not like to ask her. She's a poor woman, and it would
be just the same as begging to ask her to give me her work."
"You don't understand me, Katy. She goes out to work whenever she
can get a chance. Her price is ten cents an hour. You can engage
her for one or two hours, and pay her for her labor. This is the
only way you can get along with this business."
"I will do that. It won't take more than an hour."
Mrs. Colvin was accordingly engaged, though at first she
positively refused to be paid for her services; but when Katy
told her she should want her for one or two hours every day, she
consented to the arrangement. Early in the evening the candy was
all made, and Katy's day's work was finished. Notwithstanding her
repeated declaration that she was not tired, the bed "felt good"
to her, and she slept all the more soundly for the hard work and
the good deeds she had done.
CHAPTER XII.
KATY PAYS HER DEBTS, AND TOMMY GOES TO SEA.
Katy's second day's sales, though not so large as those of the
first day, were entirely satisfactory. The profits, after paying
for the "stock" and for the services of Mrs. Colvin, were nearly
a dollar, and her heart beat with renewed hope at this continued
success. Her grand idea hardly seemed like an experiment now, for
she had proved that she could make good candy, and that people
were willing to buy the article. She met with about the same
treatment from those to whom she offered her wares; one spoke
kindly, and purchased by wholesale, and another spoke gruffly,
and would not buy even a single stick. Here she was driven out of
doors, and there she was petted, and made large sales.
So far as Katy's person and manners were concerned, she was
admirably adapted to the business she had chosen. She was rather
small in stature for one of her age, but she was very well
formed, and her movements were agile and graceful. Her face was
not as pretty as it might have been, but her expression was
artless and winning. Her light brown hair hung in curls upon her
shoulders, and contributed not a little to make up the deficiency
in what the painters and sculptors would call a finely chiseled
face.
If she had been dressed in silk, and lace, and embroidery, I
doubt not people would have called her pretty, though in my
opinion it does not make much difference whether she was pretty
or not; for, after all, the best way to judge of a person's
beauty is by the old standard, "Handsome is that handsome does."
But I have said thus much about Katy's face and form in order to
explain the secret of her great success as a candy merchant.
Hundreds of persons would buy a stick of candy of a little girl
with a pretty face and a graceful form, who would not do so of
one less attractive. Though she was well favored in this respect,
I believe it was her gentle, polite manners, her sweet voice,
made sweet by a loving heart, that contributed most to her
success. But above all the accidents of a good form, graceful
movements, brown ringlets, and a pleasing address, she prospered
in trade because she was in earnest, and persevered in all her
efforts. A person cannot succeed in business by being merely good
looking, though this may sometimes be of much assistance. It is
patience, perseverance, energy, and above all, integrity and
uprightness, that lead to the true success.
Encouraged by her prosperity, Katy continued to sell candy with
about the same result as had cheered her heart on the first two
days. Her profits, however, were not so great as on those two
days, and did not average above seventy-five cents a day or four
dollars and a half a week. This was doing exceedingly well, and
she had every reason to be grateful for her good fortune.
At the end of three weeks, rent day came round again, and Dr.
Flynch called for the money. To his utter astonishment, it was
ready for him, and he departed without a single ill-natured word,
though this was, perhaps, because he had a wholesome regard for
the opinion of Mrs. Gordon. Two weeks later Katy found that her
savings were sufficient to enable her to pay the month's rent for
which Mrs. Gordon had given a receipt, and also the dollar which
Grace had loaned her. These debts had pressed heavily on her
mind. She knew that they were regarded as free gifts and her
pride prompted her to remove what she considered a stain upon her
character. Till they were paid, she felt like a beggar.
Taking her money one day, she paid a visit to Temple Street.
Michael opened the door and received her with a smile. Knowing
she was in favor with his mistress, he conducted her to the
sitting-room, where the portraits hung. Those roguish eyes of the
lady, who somewhat resembled her mother, were fixed on her again.
She was sure that her mother did not look like that picture then,
but she was equally sure that she had, some time or other cast
just such a glance at her. The expression of the lady found
something like its counterpart in her memory. Now, her mother
was sick and sad; she seldom smiled. But some time she must have
been a young girl, and then she must have looked like that
portrait. She felt just like asking Mrs. Gordon if that was her
portrait, but she did not dare to do such a thing. While she was
attentively watching the roguish lady's face, her kind friend
entered the room, followed by Grace.
"How do you do, Katy?" said the former, with a benevolent smile.
"Quite well, I thank you, ma'am. I hope you will excuse me for
coming again," replied she.
"I am very glad you have come."
"I was thinking of you the other day, and wishing I might see
you," added Grace, "for the Mayor told us a very pretty story
about you."
"He was very good to me; and I never shall forget him or you,"
answered Katy, warmly.
"I suppose you have come to get another receipt; but I told Dr.
Flynch not to disturb you," said Mrs. Gordon.
"O, no ma'am--I didn't come for that. You were too kind to me
before, and I have come now to pay you for that month's rent."
"Indeed?"
"Yes, ma'am; we have been able to earn money enough, and I am
very glad that I can pay it," replied Katy, taking the four
dollars from her pocket. "Here it is."
"No, my child; you shall keep it. I will not take it."
Katy's cheeks flushed, for she did not feel poor and proud then.
She felt rich; that is she was proud of being able to pay all she
owed, and she did not like to be thought capable of accepting a
gift--of being the recipient of charity. But she knew the hearts
of her kind friends, and left unspoken the words of indignation
that trembled on her tongue. "Please to take the money, ma'am,"
said she her cheeks still red with shame.
"No, my child; you are a good girl; I will not take your money."
"I shall feel very bad if you don't, and it will make my mother
very unhappy."
"Nay, Katy, you must not be too proud."
"I am not too proud to ask or to accept a favor, but please don't
make me feel like a beggar."
- advise [əd´vaiz]
vt.忠告；建议；通知 (初中英语单词) - evident [´evidənt] a.明显的，明白的 (初中英语单词)
- introduction [,intrə´dʌkʃən] n.介绍；引言；引导 (初中英语单词)
- fortunate [´fɔ:tʃənət] a.幸运的，侥幸的 (初中英语单词)
- reasonable [´rizənəbəl] a.合理的；有理智的 (初中英语单词)
- excitement [ik´saitmənt] n.兴奋；骚动；煽动 (初中英语单词)
- running [´rʌniŋ] a.奔跑的；流动的 (初中英语单词)
- extent [ik´stent] n.长度；程度；范围 (初中英语单词)
- violent [´vaiələnt] a.强暴的；猛烈的 (初中英语单词)
- breath [breθ] n.呼吸；气息 (初中英语单词)
- errand [´erənd] n.差使，使命 (初中英语单词)
- dispose [di´spəuz] v.处置；安排；布置 (初中英语单词)
- whenever [wen´evə] conj.&ad.无论何时 (初中英语单词)
- accordingly [ə´kɔ:diŋli] ad.因此；从而；依照 (初中英语单词)
- arrangement [ə´reindʒmənt] n.整理；排列；筹备 (初中英语单词)
- satisfactory [,sætis´fæktəri] a.令人满意的 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- driven [´driv(ə)n] drive 的过去分词 (初中英语单词)
- graceful [´greisfəl] a.优美的，流畅的 (初中英语单词)
- attractive [ə´træktiv] a.有吸引力；诱人的 (初中英语单词)
- polite [pə´lait] a.有礼貌的；温和的 (初中英语单词)
- earnest [´ə:nist] a.认真的 n.认真；诚恳 (初中英语单词)
- assistance [ə´sistəns] n.协作；援助；帮助 (初中英语单词)
- energy [´enədʒi] n.活力，精力；能力 (初中英语单词)
- prosperity [prɔ´speriti] n.繁荣；成功；幸运 (初中英语单词)
- grateful [´greitful] a.感谢的；令人愉快的 (初中英语单词)
- astonishment [ə´stɔniʃmənt] n.吃惊；惊异 (初中英语单词)
- enable [i´neibəl] vt.使能够；赋予权力 (初中英语单词)
- receipt [ri´si:t] n.收到；收据 (初中英语单词)
- temple [´tempəl] n.庙宇；寺院；太阳穴 (初中英语单词)
- mistress [´mistris] n.女主人；情妇；女能手 (初中英语单词)
- equally [´i:kwəli] ad.相等地；平等地 (初中英语单词)
- disturb [di´stə:b] vt.扰乱；使不安；打乱 (初中英语单词)
- capable [´keipəbəl] a.有能力；能干的 (初中英语单词)
- substantial [səb´stænʃəl] a.实质的，真的 (高中英语单词)
- bonnet [´bɔnit] n.无边女帽；童帽 (高中英语单词)
- notwithstanding [,nɔtwiθ´stændiŋ] prep.&conj.虽然；还是 (高中英语单词)
- declaration [,deklə´reiʃən] n.宣布；宣言；申报 (高中英语单词)
- concerned [kən´sə:nd] a.有关的；担心的 (高中英语单词)
- finely [´fainli] ad.美好地；精细地 (高中英语单词)
- loving [´lʌviŋ] a.爱的，有爱情的 (高中英语单词)
- pleasing [´pli:ziŋ] a.使人愉快的；合意的 (高中英语单词)
- exceedingly [ik´si:diŋli] ad.非常地，极度地 (高中英语单词)
- wholesome [´həulsəm] a.有益于健康的 (高中英语单词)
- charity [´tʃæriti] n.施舍；慈悲；博爱 (高中英语单词)
- molasses [mə´læsiz] n.糖浆，糖蜜 (英语四级单词)
- workmen [´wə:kmen] n.workman的复数 (英语四级单词)
- workshop [´wə:kʃɔp] n.车间；工场；创作室 (英语四级单词)
- wasting [´weistiŋ] a.&n.浪费(的) (英语四级单词)
- wholesale [´həulseil] n.&vt.批发 a.批发的 (英语四级单词)
- stature [´stætʃə] n.身高；身材 (英语四级单词)
- winning [´winiŋ] n.&a.胜利(的) (英语四级单词)
- embroidery [im´brɔidəri] n.刺绣(品) (英语四级单词)
- integrity [in´tegriti] n.完整；完善；正直 (英语四级单词)
- bookkeeper [´buk,ki:pə] n.记帐员，簿记员 (英语六级单词)
- perseverance [,pə:si´viərəns] n.毅力；坚持 (英语六级单词)
- departed [di´pɑ:tid] a.已往的；已故的 (英语六级单词)
- benevolent [bi´nevələnt] a.仁慈的；乐善好施的 (英语六级单词)
- taking [´teikiŋ] a.迷人的 n.捕获物 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
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