CHAPTER XXI.
KATY GOES TO CHURCH, AND HAS A BIRTHDAY PARTY.
Ten years is a long time--long enough to change the child into a woman,the little candy merchant into a fine lady. I suppose, therefore, thatmy young friends will need to be introduced to Miss Redburn. There shesits in the pleasant apartment in Temple Street, where the picture ofthe mischievous girl still hangs, though it looks very little like thematron at her side, for whom it was taken. She is not beautiful enoughto be the heroine of a romance, neither has she done any absurd thing;she has only supported her mother when she had no one else to care forher. But Katy is irresistible if she is not pretty. She still looks aspleasant as a morning in June, and smiles sweetly when any one speaksto her and when she speaks to any one.
I am sorry I cannot inform my young lady friends how Miss Redburn wasdressed, or how she proposed to dress, at her birthday party, which wasto come off the following week--what silks, what laces what muslins,and what jewels she was to wear. I can only say that she was dressedvery plainly, and that her garments were exceedingly becoming; and thatshe had steadily resisted the solicitations of sundry French millinersand dressmakers to exceed her usual simplicity at the party--and Icordially command her example to all young ladies.
While Miss Redburn sat at the window, the doorbell rang with greatviolence; and Michael--yes, Michael--he is still there, a veteran inthe service of Mrs. Gordon, and fully believing that Katy is anangel--Michael hastened to admit Grace. She is a little older than whenwe saw her last, but she is the same Grace. She enters the room, kissesKaty with as much zeal as though she had not seen her for months,though they had met the day before. She had scarcely saluted her cousinbefore a little fat man of six came tumbling into the room, for he hadnot been able to keep up with his mother.
"Come, aunty," said little Tommy, who persisted in calling her by thistitle, as he rolled up to Miss Redburn, who gave him a heartykiss--"come, aunty, I want you to come right down into the kitchen, andmake me a lot of molatheth candy."
"Not now, Tommy"--would you believe it, reader? that little boy's nameis Thomas Howard Parker--"not now, Tommy. I came to tell you, Katy,that the King of the Billows has been telegraphed."
"Has she?" exclaimed Katy, a deep blush suffusing her cheek.
"Yes; and you must go right down to the wharf, or we shall not be inseason to see Captain Howard, who is coming up in a pilot boat."
Miss Redburn hastened to put on her things, and she and Mrs. Parkerseated themselves in the carriage that waited them.
Of course, you know Captain Howard, reader? He has followed the seaonly eleven years; and though but twenty-five years old, he is thecommander of a fine clipper, and sails in the Liverpool line. He isfrequently quoted as an example of what patient perseverance willaccomplish; for, with very little aid from friends, he has worked hisway from the forecastle into the cabin. He is a self-educated man, andhas the reputation of being a thorough sailor and a perfect gentleman.
Pursuant to a little arrangement made between Captain Howard and MissRedburn, just as he departed on this voyage, they were both seen inchurch on the following Thursday afternoon; and when they came out,people addressed Katy as Mrs. Howard. But to pass on to the occasionswhich she had chosen to call a birthday party, though it was notexactly that; and as it came immediately after the church service, somecalled it a levee.
There are a great many persons in the Gordon mansion, as many as twohundred, I should think. Of course, I cannot stop to introduce all ofthem, but there are a few who deserve this favor.
"Mr. Sneed, I am delighted to see you," said Mrs. Howard, as a verytall and very slim gentleman, elegantly dressed, approached.
"You do me honor, madam. It is the superlative felicity of my sublunaryexistence to congratulate you on this auspicious occasion," replied Mr.Sneed, as he gently pressed the gloved hand of the lady.
That sounds just like Master Simon Sneed, only very much intensified.Simon is a salesman still in a large establishment--has never risenabove that position and probably never will; for, born to be agentleman, he feels as much above his business as his business reallyis above him.
Simon's father and mother say a pleasant word to the bride, and passon. And here comes a great fat woman, whose tongue flies like theshuttle in a loom. Well, it is the captain's mother. Since her son hasbeen prosperous, she has had an easy time of it, and has grown verycorpulent.
"Who do you think has come, Katy?" puffed Mrs. Howard.
"I don't know. Who?"
"Mrs. Colvin, that was! Mrs. McCarty, that is."
Some of the very good-natured people laughed, and some of the veryfastidious ones turned up their noses, when they saw Mrs. McCarty sowarmly received by the bride; but she did not care who laughed or whosneered; she was not too proud to welcome, in the hour of prosperityand happiness, those who had been her friends in adversity.
"Mrs. Howard, I congratulate you," said a fat man, who was puffing andblowing at the heat of the room.
It was an ex-mayor and after he had said a few pleasant words, hepassed on to make room for a hundred more who were waiting to speak tothe bride.
That was a very pleasant party; but as we are opposed to crowded roomsand late hours, we may as well retire.
The next day the happy couple started upon a bridal tour, and on theirreturn, Captain Howard sailed for Liverpool, in his fine ship, withMrs. Howard as a passenger.
And now my young friend, adieu. If you are poor, don't be too proud towork at any honest occupation; but be too proud to do wrong--too proudto degrade yourself in your own eyes, by doing a mean act; and in thissense you may truly be "Poor and Proud."
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends