章节正文
"I think my plan will work well, mother," said Katy, when she had
gone.
"It has so far, but you must not be too sure."
"I mean to go out after dinner and hunt up some more girls, for
you see I shall have no candy to sell myself this afternoon, when
I have given Ann two dozen sticks."
"I hope you will not attempt to lecture them as you did her."
"Why, mother, I know all about the business and they don't know
anything."
"I doubt not you are competent to advise them; but the manner in
which you address them is more offensive than the matter. Your
knowledge of the business makes you treat them as inferiors. You
must not think too much of yourself, Katy."
"No danger of that, mother."
"I am afraid there is. Persons in authority, who are gentle and
kind, and do not act like superiors, are more promptly obeyed,
and more loved and respected, than those who are puffed up by
their office, and tyrannical in their manners."
"But I am not a person in authority, mother," laughed Katy.
"You will be, if you employ a dozen girls to sell candy for you."
After Katy had eaten her dinner, and fitted out Ann Grippen, she
left the house in search of some more assistants. She was well
known to all the boys and girls in the neighborhood; and when she
stated her object to one and another of them, she was readily
understood. To help her cause, it had begun to be known that Ann
Grippen had been seen with a clean face, selling candy in the
street. She had no difficulty, therefore, in procuring the
services of half a dozen girls, who were delighted with the plan
especially when Katy informed them of Ann's success.
On her return home, she found that Simon Sneed had called to see
her, and she immediately hastened to his house. When she knocked,
he came to the door and invited her into the palor.
"Well, Katy, I have hit upon something," said he.
"I am glad you have."
"I went down town after I saw you, and hearing of a place in
Tremont Row, I went to apply for it."
"Did you get it?"
"Not yet, but I hope to get it. They agreed to give me three
dollars a week if everything proved satisfactory; but they wanted
a recommendation" target="_blank" title="n.推荐；劝告">recommendation from my last employers."
"Of course they will give you one."
"No, they would not; they were offended because I left them."
"Then you asked them?"
"Yes, I went after one this afternoon, and they would not give it
to me. I did not much expect they would, and so I informed
Messrs. Runn & Reed, the firm to which I have applied for an
engagement. I told them exactly how the case stood; that I had
demanded higher wages, and the Messrs. Sands were angry with me
for doing so, and for that reason refused the testimonial. They
saw through it all, and understood my position. When I spoke to
them about my friend the mayor, they looked surprised, and said a
recommendation" target="_blank" title="n.推荐；劝告">recommendation from him would satisfy them. So you see just how I
am situated."
"Why don't you go to him at once, and ask him for the
recommendation" target="_blank" title="n.推荐；劝告">recommendation?" said Katy wondering why he hesitated at so plain
a case.
But Master Simon had some scruples about doing so. He was old
enough to know that it was rather a delicate business to ask a
man in a high official station for a testimonial on so slight an
acquaintance. The mayor was interested in Katy, though she did
not presume to call him her friend. She had twice called upon
him, and she might again.
"I don't like to ask him, Katy. I feel some delicacy about doing
so."
"I should just as lief ask him as not, if I were you. I am afraid
you are too proud, Master Simon."
"I am proud, Katy: that's just it. I was born to be a gentleman,
but I submit to my lot. I am willing to sell my talents and my
labor for money. If I can once get in at Runn & Reed's, I am sure
they will appreciate me, and consider it a lucky day on which
they engaged me."
"If you want me to go to the mayor's house with you, I will,"
said Katy, who did not clearly comprehend Simon's wishes.
"Well, I think I will not go myself," replied Simon.
"Why not?"
"I do not like to place myself in a humiliating posture before
great men. If I were mayor of Boston, I should like to do him the
favor which I ask for myself. When I am--"
"You haven't asked him, Master Simon."
"In a word, Katy, I want you to ask him for me. You will do me a
great favor."
"I will," replied Katy, promptly.
"The mayor is a very fine man, kind-hearted, and willing to help
everybody that deserves help; and if he were not my friend, I
should feel no delicacy in asking him myself. You can state the
case, and inform him who I am, and what I am; that you know me to
be honest and faithful. You can tell him, too, that I am a
gentlemanly person, of pleasing address."
"But I can't remember all that," interposed Katy.
"Tell him what you can recollect, then. He is an easy,
good-natured man, and will give you the testimonial at once."
"Suppose you write a paper, just such as you want, Master Simon.
Then he can copy it."
"Well I will do that."
Simon seated himself at a table, and, after considerable effort,
produced the following piece of elegantcomposition, which he
read to Katy:--
"To whom it may concern:
"This may certify that I have been for some time acquainted with
my friend Mr. Simon Sneed, and I believe him to be an honest and
faithful young man, of gentlemanly bearing, pleasing address, and
polite manners, who will be an honor and an ornament to any
establishment that may be so fortunate as to secure his valuable
services; and I cheerfullyrecommend him to any person to whom he
may apply for a situation. Mayor of Boston."
"I have left a blank space for his honor's signature," continued
Master Simon, when he had read the modestdocument. "What do you
think of it, Katy?"
"It is very fine. What a great scholar you must be! I should
think you'd write a book."
"Perhaps I may one of these days."
"I will go right up to the mayor's house now," said Katy, as she
bade him good afternoon.
Before she went, she returned home and nicely enclosed six sticks
of candy in white paper as a present for Freddie, the mayor's
little son. On her way up to Park Street she opened Simon's
paper, and read it. It sounded funny to her, with its big words
and fine sentences; and then what a puffing Master Simon had
given himself! She even began to wonder if there was not
something about her gentlemanly friend which was not all right.
She reached the mayor's house, and as it was his time to be at
home, she was conducted to the library.
"Ah, Katy, I am glad to see you," said he, taking her hand.
"Thank you, sir. I have brought this candy for Master Freddie."
"You are very good, and I suppose you are so proud that I must
not offer to pay you for it."
"If you please, don't, sir," replied Katy, unconsciouslytaking
Master Simon's testimonial from her pocket. "I don't want you to
pay me in money, but you may pay me in another way, if you
please."
"May I? What have you in your hand?"
"A paper, sir. You remember Master Simon Sneed?"
"No, I don't."
"The young man at Sands & Co.'s."
"O, yes; the young gentleman that uses so many long words."
"He has left his place, and wants to get another."
"He has left it? Why was that?"
"He asked for more wages. He has found another place, which he
can have if he can get a testimonial."
"Let him ask Sands & Co."
"They won't give him one, because they are so angry with him for
leaving them."
"That indeed!"
"Master Simon wants you to give him one," continued Katy, who, in
her confusion was jumping at the conclusion of the matter rather
too hastily, and before she had produced a proper impression in
regard to her hero's transcendent character and ability.
"Does he, indeed," laughed the mayor. "He is very modest."
"He said, as you are his friend, you would not object to giving
him one."
"What have you in your hand, Katy? Has he written one to save me
the trouble?" laughed the mayor.
"I asked him to do so. You can copy it off, if you please, sir."
The mayor took the testimonial and proceeded to read it. Katy had
already concluded from his manner that the business was not all
correct, and she wished herself out of the scrape. He finished
the reading, and then burst into a violent fit of laughter.
"Your friend is very modest, Katy;--my friend Mr. Simon Sneed."
"I hope I haven't done anything wrong, sir?" stammered Katy.
"No, Katy; you have been imposed upon by a silly young man. You
meant to do him a kindness--in your heart you had nothing but
kindness--and I think the more of you for what you have done, and
the less of Simon for what he has done. Did he think I would
recommend him, when I know nothing about him? He is a conceited
puppy, and, in my opinion, a worthless fellow. One of these days
he will be `an honor and an ornament' to the workhouse, if he
does business in this manner."
"Dear me!" exclaimed Katy, frightened at the remarks of the
mayor.
"Now, Katy, we will go to the store of the Messrs. Sands & Co.,
and find out about this young man. I will meet you there at
half-past four. Good-by, Katy. Freddie thinks ever so much of you
now, and in his behalf I thank you for the candy."
Katy did not know exactly what to make of her position but at the
time fixed, she was at the store of Sands & Co., where the mayor
soon joined her.
"Now, Katy, you shall hear what his employers say of Master
Simon," said he; and she followed him into the store.
The mayor stated his business, and inquired concerning the
character of Simon.
"He is honest, and did his work very well," replied Mr. Sands.
Katy was pleased to hear this, and the mayor confessed his
surprise.
"But he was an intolerablenuisance about the store," continued
Mr. Sands. "With only a small amount of modesty, he would have
done very well; as it was, he was the biggest man in our employ.
Our customers were disgusted with him, and we had been thinking
of getting rid of him for a long time. When he asked for more
wages, impudently declaring he would leave if we did not accede
to his demand, we discharged him. In a word, I wouldn't have him
round the store at any price."
"As I supposed," replied the mayor, as he showed Mr. Sands the
recommendation" target="_blank" title="n.推荐；劝告">recommendation Simon had written.
"This sounds just like him."
Katy pitied poor Simon now that she understood him, and she went
home determined to tell him all that had passed between the mayor
and herself.
CHAPTER XV.
KATY GETS A LETTER FROM LIVERPOOL.
Master Simon Sneed sat at the window when Katy returned, and she
had to tell him all about it. She pitied him, poor fellow, and
gone.
"It has so far, but you must not be too sure."
"I mean to go out after dinner and hunt up some more girls, for
you see I shall have no candy to sell myself this afternoon, when
I have given Ann two dozen sticks."
"I hope you will not attempt to lecture them as you did her."
"Why, mother, I know all about the business and they don't know
anything."
"I doubt not you are competent to advise them; but the manner in
which you address them is more offensive than the matter. Your
knowledge of the business makes you treat them as inferiors. You
must not think too much of yourself, Katy."
"No danger of that, mother."
"I am afraid there is. Persons in authority, who are gentle and
kind, and do not act like superiors, are more promptly obeyed,
and more loved and respected, than those who are puffed up by
their office, and tyrannical in their manners."
"But I am not a person in authority, mother," laughed Katy.
"You will be, if you employ a dozen girls to sell candy for you."
After Katy had eaten her dinner, and fitted out Ann Grippen, she
left the house in search of some more assistants. She was well
known to all the boys and girls in the neighborhood; and when she
stated her object to one and another of them, she was readily
understood. To help her cause, it had begun to be known that Ann
Grippen had been seen with a clean face, selling candy in the
street. She had no difficulty, therefore, in procuring the
services of half a dozen girls, who were delighted with the plan
especially when Katy informed them of Ann's success.
On her return home, she found that Simon Sneed had called to see
her, and she immediately hastened to his house. When she knocked,
he came to the door and invited her into the palor.
"Well, Katy, I have hit upon something," said he.
"I am glad you have."
"I went down town after I saw you, and hearing of a place in
Tremont Row, I went to apply for it."
"Did you get it?"
"Not yet, but I hope to get it. They agreed to give me three
dollars a week if everything proved satisfactory; but they wanted
a recommendation" target="_blank" title="n.推荐；劝告">recommendation from my last employers."
"Of course they will give you one."
"No, they would not; they were offended because I left them."
"Then you asked them?"
"Yes, I went after one this afternoon, and they would not give it
to me. I did not much expect they would, and so I informed
Messrs. Runn & Reed, the firm to which I have applied for an
engagement. I told them exactly how the case stood; that I had
demanded higher wages, and the Messrs. Sands were angry with me
for doing so, and for that reason refused the testimonial. They
saw through it all, and understood my position. When I spoke to
them about my friend the mayor, they looked surprised, and said a
recommendation" target="_blank" title="n.推荐；劝告">recommendation from him would satisfy them. So you see just how I
am situated."
"Why don't you go to him at once, and ask him for the
recommendation" target="_blank" title="n.推荐；劝告">recommendation?" said Katy wondering why he hesitated at so plain
a case.
But Master Simon had some scruples about doing so. He was old
enough to know that it was rather a delicate business to ask a
man in a high official station for a testimonial on so slight an
acquaintance. The mayor was interested in Katy, though she did
not presume to call him her friend. She had twice called upon
him, and she might again.
"I don't like to ask him, Katy. I feel some delicacy about doing
so."
"I should just as lief ask him as not, if I were you. I am afraid
you are too proud, Master Simon."
"I am proud, Katy: that's just it. I was born to be a gentleman,
but I submit to my lot. I am willing to sell my talents and my
labor for money. If I can once get in at Runn & Reed's, I am sure
they will appreciate me, and consider it a lucky day on which
they engaged me."
"If you want me to go to the mayor's house with you, I will,"
said Katy, who did not clearly comprehend Simon's wishes.
"Well, I think I will not go myself," replied Simon.
"Why not?"
"I do not like to place myself in a humiliating posture before
great men. If I were mayor of Boston, I should like to do him the
favor which I ask for myself. When I am--"
"You haven't asked him, Master Simon."
"In a word, Katy, I want you to ask him for me. You will do me a
great favor."
"I will," replied Katy, promptly.
"The mayor is a very fine man, kind-hearted, and willing to help
everybody that deserves help; and if he were not my friend, I
should feel no delicacy in asking him myself. You can state the
case, and inform him who I am, and what I am; that you know me to
be honest and faithful. You can tell him, too, that I am a
gentlemanly person, of pleasing address."
"But I can't remember all that," interposed Katy.
"Tell him what you can recollect, then. He is an easy,
good-natured man, and will give you the testimonial at once."
"Suppose you write a paper, just such as you want, Master Simon.
Then he can copy it."
"Well I will do that."
Simon seated himself at a table, and, after considerable effort,
produced the following piece of elegantcomposition, which he
read to Katy:--
"To whom it may concern:
"This may certify that I have been for some time acquainted with
my friend Mr. Simon Sneed, and I believe him to be an honest and
faithful young man, of gentlemanly bearing, pleasing address, and
polite manners, who will be an honor and an ornament to any
establishment that may be so fortunate as to secure his valuable
services; and I cheerfullyrecommend him to any person to whom he
may apply for a situation. Mayor of Boston."
"I have left a blank space for his honor's signature," continued
Master Simon, when he had read the modestdocument. "What do you
think of it, Katy?"
"It is very fine. What a great scholar you must be! I should
think you'd write a book."
"Perhaps I may one of these days."
"I will go right up to the mayor's house now," said Katy, as she
bade him good afternoon.
Before she went, she returned home and nicely enclosed six sticks
of candy in white paper as a present for Freddie, the mayor's
little son. On her way up to Park Street she opened Simon's
paper, and read it. It sounded funny to her, with its big words
and fine sentences; and then what a puffing Master Simon had
given himself! She even began to wonder if there was not
something about her gentlemanly friend which was not all right.
She reached the mayor's house, and as it was his time to be at
home, she was conducted to the library.
"Ah, Katy, I am glad to see you," said he, taking her hand.
"Thank you, sir. I have brought this candy for Master Freddie."
"You are very good, and I suppose you are so proud that I must
not offer to pay you for it."
"If you please, don't, sir," replied Katy, unconsciouslytaking
Master Simon's testimonial from her pocket. "I don't want you to
pay me in money, but you may pay me in another way, if you
please."
"May I? What have you in your hand?"
"A paper, sir. You remember Master Simon Sneed?"
"No, I don't."
"The young man at Sands & Co.'s."
"O, yes; the young gentleman that uses so many long words."
"He has left his place, and wants to get another."
"He has left it? Why was that?"
"He asked for more wages. He has found another place, which he
can have if he can get a testimonial."
"Let him ask Sands & Co."
"They won't give him one, because they are so angry with him for
leaving them."
"That indeed!"
"Master Simon wants you to give him one," continued Katy, who, in
her confusion was jumping at the conclusion of the matter rather
too hastily, and before she had produced a proper impression in
regard to her hero's transcendent character and ability.
"Does he, indeed," laughed the mayor. "He is very modest."
"He said, as you are his friend, you would not object to giving
him one."
"What have you in your hand, Katy? Has he written one to save me
the trouble?" laughed the mayor.
"I asked him to do so. You can copy it off, if you please, sir."
The mayor took the testimonial and proceeded to read it. Katy had
already concluded from his manner that the business was not all
correct, and she wished herself out of the scrape. He finished
the reading, and then burst into a violent fit of laughter.
"Your friend is very modest, Katy;--my friend Mr. Simon Sneed."
"I hope I haven't done anything wrong, sir?" stammered Katy.
"No, Katy; you have been imposed upon by a silly young man. You
meant to do him a kindness--in your heart you had nothing but
kindness--and I think the more of you for what you have done, and
the less of Simon for what he has done. Did he think I would
recommend him, when I know nothing about him? He is a conceited
puppy, and, in my opinion, a worthless fellow. One of these days
he will be `an honor and an ornament' to the workhouse, if he
does business in this manner."
"Dear me!" exclaimed Katy, frightened at the remarks of the
mayor.
"Now, Katy, we will go to the store of the Messrs. Sands & Co.,
and find out about this young man. I will meet you there at
half-past four. Good-by, Katy. Freddie thinks ever so much of you
now, and in his behalf I thank you for the candy."
Katy did not know exactly what to make of her position but at the
time fixed, she was at the store of Sands & Co., where the mayor
soon joined her.
"Now, Katy, you shall hear what his employers say of Master
Simon," said he; and she followed him into the store.
The mayor stated his business, and inquired concerning the
character of Simon.
"He is honest, and did his work very well," replied Mr. Sands.
Katy was pleased to hear this, and the mayor confessed his
surprise.
"But he was an intolerablenuisance about the store," continued
Mr. Sands. "With only a small amount of modesty, he would have
done very well; as it was, he was the biggest man in our employ.
Our customers were disgusted with him, and we had been thinking
of getting rid of him for a long time. When he asked for more
wages, impudently declaring he would leave if we did not accede
to his demand, we discharged him. In a word, I wouldn't have him
round the store at any price."
"As I supposed," replied the mayor, as he showed Mr. Sands the
recommendation" target="_blank" title="n.推荐；劝告">recommendation Simon had written.
"This sounds just like him."
Katy pitied poor Simon now that she understood him, and she went
home determined to tell him all that had passed between the mayor
and herself.
CHAPTER XV.
KATY GETS A LETTER FROM LIVERPOOL.
Master Simon Sneed sat at the window when Katy returned, and she
had to tell him all about it. She pitied him, poor fellow, and
- advise [əd´vaiz]
vt.忠告；建议；通知 (初中英语单词) - promptly [´prɔmptli] ad.敏捷地；即时地 (初中英语单词)
- neighborhood [´neibəhud] n.邻居；邻近；附近 (初中英语单词)
- therefore [´ðeəfɔ:] ad.&conj.因此；所以 (初中英语单词)
- satisfactory [,sætis´fæktəri] a.令人满意的 (初中英语单词)
- delicate [´delikət] a.精美的；微妙的 (初中英语单词)
- submit [səb´mit] vt.使服从；使忍受 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- appreciate [ə´pri:ʃieit] v.评价；珍惜；感激 (初中英语单词)
- faithful [´feiθfəl] a.忠实的；可靠的 (初中英语单词)
- considerable [kən´sidərəbəl] a.重要的；值得重视 (初中英语单词)
- ornament [´ɔ:nəmənt] n.装饰(物) vt.装饰 (初中英语单词)
- fortunate [´fɔ:tʃənət] a.幸运的，侥幸的 (初中英语单词)
- recommend [,rekə´mend] vt.推荐；使受欢迎 (初中英语单词)
- modest [´mɔdist] a.谦虚的；朴素的 (初中英语单词)
- scholar [´skɔlə, ´skɑ-] n.学者；奖学金获得者 (初中英语单词)
- nicely [naisli] ad.恰好地；谨慎地 (初中英语单词)
- confusion [kən´fju:ʒən] n.混乱(状态)；骚乱 (初中英语单词)
- conclusion [kən´klu:ʒən] n.结束；结论；推论 (初中英语单词)
- hastily [´heistili] ad.急速地；草率地 (初中英语单词)
- impression [im´preʃən] n.印刷；印象；效果 (初中英语单词)
- character [´kæriktə] n.特性；性质；人物；字 (初中英语单词)
- reading [´ri:diŋ] n.(阅)读；朗读；读物 (初中英语单词)
- violent [´vaiələnt] a.强暴的；猛烈的 (初中英语单词)
- amount [ə´maunt] n.总数；数量 v.合计 (初中英语单词)
- competent [´kɔmpitənt] a.能干的，有资格的 (高中英语单词)
- offensive [ə´fensiv] a.冒犯的 n.进攻 (高中英语单词)
- hearing [´hiəriŋ] n.听力；听证会；审讯 (高中英语单词)
- recommendation [,rekəmen´deiʃən] n.推荐；劝告 (高中英语单词)
- presume [pri´zju:m] v.假定；推测；以为 (高中英语单词)
- delicacy [´delikəsi] n.精美；娇弱，微妙 (高中英语单词)
- comprehend [,kɔmpri´hend] vt.了解；领会；包含 (高中英语单词)
- pleasing [´pli:ziŋ] a.使人愉快的；合意的 (高中英语单词)
- elegant [´eligənt] a.文雅的；优美的 (高中英语单词)
- composition [,kɔmpə´ziʃən] n.写作；作曲；作品 (高中英语单词)
- bearing [´beəriŋ] n.举止；忍耐；关系 (高中英语单词)
- cheerfully [´tʃiəfuli] ad.高兴地，愉快地 (高中英语单词)
- document [´dɔkjumənt] n.公文；文件；证件 (高中英语单词)
- worthless [´wə:θləs] a.无价值的 (高中英语单词)
- behalf [bi´hɑ:f] n.利益 (高中英语单词)
- concerning [kən´sə:niŋ] prep.关于 (高中英语单词)
- nuisance [´nju:səns] n.损害；讨厌的人(事) (高中英语单词)
- delighted [di´laitid] a.高兴的；喜欢的 (英语四级单词)
- recollect [rekə´lekt] v.重新集合；恢复 (英语四级单词)
- unconsciously [ʌn´kɔʃəsli] ad.无意识地；不觉察地 (英语四级单词)
- scrape [skreip] v.&n.刮，削，擦；搔 (英语四级单词)
- intolerable [in´tɔlərəb(ə)l] a.无法忍受的 (英语四级单词)
- modesty [´mɔdisti] n.谨慎；端庄；羞怯 (英语四级单词)
- applied [ə´plaid] a.实用的，应用的 (英语六级单词)
- posture [´pɔstʃə] n.姿势 v.故作姿态 (英语六级单词)
- taking [´teikiŋ] a.迷人的 n.捕获物 (英语六级单词)
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章节正文
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