Poor and Proud, or the Fortunes of Katy Redburn: a Story for Young Folks   By: Oliver Optic (1822-1897)

OR

THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN

A STORY FOR YOUNG FOLKS

BY

OLIVER OPTIC

TO ALICE MARIE ADAMS, This Book IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY HER FATHER.

Poor and Proud.

PREFACE.

Bobby Bright and Harry West, whose histories were contained in the last two volumes of the "Library for Young Folks," were both smart boys. The author, very grateful for the genial welcome extended to these young gentlemen, begs leave to introduce to his juvenile friends a smart girl, Miss Katy Redburn, whose fortunes, he hopes, will prove sufficiently interesting to secure their attention.

If any of my adult readers are disposed to accuse me of being a little extravagant, I fear I shall have to let the case go by default; but I shall plead, in extenuation, that I have tried to be reasonable, even where a few grains of the romantic element were introduced; for Baron Munchausen and Sindbad the Sailor were standard works on my shelf in boyhood, and I may possibly have imbibed some of their peculiar spirit. But I feel a lively satisfaction in the reflection that, whatever exaggerations the critic may decide I have perpetrated in this volume, I have made the success of Katy Redburn depend upon her good principles, her politeness, her determined perseverance, and her overcoming that foolish pride which is a snare to the feet. In these respects she is a worthy exemplar for the young.

Pride and poverty do not seem to agree with each other; but there is a pride which is not irreconcilable with the humblest station. This pride of character finds an illustration in the life of my heroine.

Thanking my young friends again for the pleasant reception given to my former books I submit this volume in the hope that Katy Redburn will prove to be a worthy and agreeable companion for their leisure hours.

WILLIAM T. ADAMS. DORCHESTER, Sept. 29, 1858.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER.

I. Katy Redburn and Others Are Introduced II. The History of the Silver Watch III. Katy and Master Simon Sneed Visit the Pawnbroker's Shop IV. Katy Matures a Magnificent Scheme V. Katy Visits Mrs. Gordon, and Gets Rid of Dr. Flynch VI. Katy Prepares a Stock of Merchandise VII. Katy Makes a Large Sale VIII. Katy Sells Out, and Visits the Mayor IX. Katy talks with the Mayor, and Recovers the Watch X. Katy, in Distress, finds a Champion XI. Katy Meets with Extraordinary Success XII. Katy Pays Her Debts, and Tommy Goes to Sea XIII. Katy Employs an Assistant XIV. Master Simon Sneed Makes a Mistake XV. Katy Gets a Letter from Liverpool XVI. Ann Grippen Plays Tricks upon Travelers XVII. The Sun Sets, and the Night Comes On XVIII. Katy Struggles Bravely through a Series of Trials XIX. Katy Resorts to a Loan XX. Mrs. Gordon Feels Faint, and Katy Enters a New Sphere XXI. Katy Goes to Church, and Has a Birthday Party

POOR AND PROUD; OR, THE FORTUNES OF KATY REDBURN.

CHAPTER I.

KATY REDBURN AND OTHERS ARE INTRODUCED.

"Give me a flounder, Johnny?" said a little girl of eleven, dressed in coarse and ragged garments, as she stooped down and looked into the basket of the dirty young fisherman, who sat with his legs hanging over the edge of the pier.

"I'll bet I won't," replied Johnny, gruffly, as he drew the basket out of the reach of the supplicant. "You needn't come round here tryin' to hook my fish."

"You hooked 'em," said another juvenile angler who sat on the capsill of the pier by Johnny's side.

"Who says I hooked 'em?" blustered Johnny, whose little dirty paws involuntarily assumed the form of a pair of fists, scientifically disposed and ready to be the instruments of the owner's vengeance upon the traducer of his character.

"I say so," added Tommy Howard, who did not seem to be at all alarmed at the warlike attitude of his fellow angler.

"Say it again, and I'll smash your head," continued Johnny, jumping up from his seat.

"Didn't you hear me? Once is enough."