e 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 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 she hoped the
lesson would do him good. She did not like to tell him so many
unpleasant things, for they would wound his pride.

"Well, Katy, what did my friend the mayor say?" asked Simon, as he
joined her on the sidewalk.

"I am afraid you will not call him your friend after this," replied
Katy.

"Why? He had not the effrontery to refuse my reasonable request?"

"The what? Please to use words that I can understand," said she, for
she was not a little disgusted with Simon's big words, now she knew how
much mischief they had done him.

"Didn't he give you the paper?"

"He did not."

"I didn't think that of him. It was shabby."

"He said he did not know you. But I showed him your paper, in which you
had written down what you thought of yourself."

"Well, what did he say to that?" asked Simon, eagerly.

"I thought he would split his fat sides laughing. He didn't seem to
believe a word of it."

"He didn't? I am surprised at that."

"He said you were a conceited puppy."

"I always took the mayor for a sensible fellow; I see I have been
mistaken."

"He didn't like it because you sent me to him upon such an errand. He
said you had imposed upon me."

"Go on, Katy; I may expect anything after what you have said," replied
Simon, with all the coolness and indifference he could command.

"He said he believed you were a worthless fellow. Then he told me to
meet him at the store of the Messrs. Sands & Co., and he would inquire
about you."

"Then you went to the store?"

"We did; and when the mayor asked Mr. Sands about you, he said you were
honest, and did your work well, but----"

"Notice that remark particularly. I hope you called the mayor's
attention to it," interrupted Master Simon. "What else did he say?"