Unfortunately for the little candy merchant it was Wednesday afternoon, and as the schools did not keep, there were a great many boys in the street, and many of them were very rude, naughty boys. When she passed up the court, some of them called out to her, and asked her where she was going with all that candy. She took no notice of them, for they spoke very rudely, and were no friends of hers. Among them was Johnny Grippen, whose acquaintance the reader made on the pier of South Boston bridge. This young ruffian led half a dozen others down the court in pursuit of her, for possibly they were not satisfied with the cavalier manner in which Katy had treated them. "Where are you going with all that candy?" repeated the juvenile bully, when he overtook her in Essex Street. "I am going to sell it," replied Katy, finding she could not escape. "Give us a junk, will you?" said Johnny. "I can't give it away; I am going to sell it, to get money for my mother." "Won't you give a feller a piece?" "I can't now; perhaps I'll give you some another time." Katy's heart beat violently, for she was very much alarmed, knowing that Johnny had not followed her for nothing. As she made her firm but conciliatory reply, she moved on, hoping they would not attempt to annoy her. It was a vain hope, for Johnny kept close to her side, his eyes fixed wistfully on the tempting array of sweets she carried. "Come, don't be stingy, Katy," continued Johnny. "I don't mean to be; but I don't think I owe you anything," replied Katy, gathering courage in her desperate situation. "What do you mean by that?" demanded the little ruffian, as he placed himself in front of her, and thus prevented her further progress. "Don't stop me; I'm in a hurry," said Katy. "Gi' me some candy, then." "No, I won't!" answered Katy, losing her patience. "Won't you?" Johnny made a dive at the tray, with the intention of securing a portion of the candy; but Katy adroitly dodged the movement, and turning up a narrow alley way, ran off. Johnny was not to be balked, and followed her; and then she found she had made a bad mistake in getting off the street, where there were no passers-by to interfere in her favor. "Johnny!" shouted one of the bully's companions. "Johnny, Tom Howard is coming." "Let him come!" replied Johnny, doggedly.