It was a very tedious afternoon to the little wholesale merchant, but the dignity of the trade depended upon her efforts in seeking the offender. Ann entered various shops, and seemed to be having very good luck with her stock. At last she appeared to grow tired of her labors, and turned into an alley. Katy wondered what she was going to do there, for it was certainly no place to sell candy. She waited sometime for her to come out, and when she heard her steps, she placed herself at the corner of the alley, in such a position that Ann could not see her face. Presently she heard Ann crying with all her might; and crying so very naturally that she could hardly persuade herself that it was not real. She glanced over her shoulder at her, and discovered that she had broken the nice sticks of candy into a great many little pieces; and it was for this purpose that she had gone into the alley. Katy was indignant when she saw so much valuable merchandise thus ruthlessly mutilated, and the sale of it spoiled. She was disposed to present herself to the artful girl, and soundly lecture her for the deceit and wickedness: but she wanted to see how the game was played. "Boo, hoo, hoo!" sobbed Ann Grippen, apparently suffering all the pangs of a broken heart, which could not possibly be repaired. "What is the matter, little girl?" asked a benevolent lady, attracted by the distress of Ann. "Boo, hoo, hoo!" cried Ann, unable to speak on account of the torrents of wo that overwhelmed her. "Don't cry, little girl, and tell me what the matter is," continued the kind lady. "Boo, hoo, hoo! I fell down and broke all my candy," sobbed Ann. "Poor child!" exclaimed the sympathizing lady. "My father'll beat me because I didn't sell it," added Ann. "He is a cruel man. Are you sure he will punish you?" "Yes, ma'am," groaned Ann. "He'll whip me almost to death if I don't bring home half a dollar." "You can tell him you fell down and broke the candy," suggested the lady. "He won't believe me; he'll say I sold the candy and spent the money. O, dear me." "You can show him the pieces." "Boo, hoo, hoo! Then he'll say I broke it on purpose, because I was too lazy to sell it; and then he'll kill me--I know he will." "I will go and see him, and tell him about the accident. Where do you live?" "Down North Square. He ain't to home now," replied Ann, who was not quite prepared for this method of treating the subject. "Poor child! I pity you," sighed the lady. "O, dear me!" cried Ann, exerting herself to the utmost to deepen the impression she had made. "How much do you want to make up the value of your candy?" "Half a dollar." "There it is, poor child! If it will save you from abuse, you are welcome to it." "Thank you, ma'am. It may save my life," replied Ann, as she took the half dollar and put it in her pocket.