"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 elegant composition, 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 cheerfully recommend him to any person to whom he may apply for a situation. Mayor of Boston."
"I have left a blank s.p.a.ce for his honor"s signature," continued Master Simon, when he had read the modest doc.u.ment. "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, unconsciously taking 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 sc.r.a.pe. 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 intolerable nuisance 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 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 pa.s.sed between the mayor and herself.