Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-12-03
Chalk Your Bobbins. I"

EVERY one knows that old Sir Robert Peel,
father of the late Prime Minister of England,
and grandfather of the present Baronet, made
his money by cotton spinning. In the early
part of his career his business was not re-
markably extensive, but suddenly he made a
tremendous start, and soon distanced all his
rivals. He grew immensely rich, as we all
know, but we do not all know the lucky ac-
cident to which he was indebted for his enor-
nous wealth.
In the early days of the cotton spinning
machinery, great deal of trouble used to be
caused by flaments of cotton sdhering to the
bobbins, or tapes, which then formed portions
of looms. These flaments accumulating soon
clogsed the wheels and other parts Of the
machinery, and rendered it necessary that
they should be cleared, which involved fre-
quent stoppages and much loss Of time.
The great desideratum was to find out some
plan of preventing this colOgging by cotton,
and Sir Robert, or Mr.. Peel, as he was thea,
spent vast sums in experiments. lie employ
ed some of tie ablest machinists in the king
dom-among them James Watt-who sug-
gested various corrious corrections, but spite
of all they could do, the inconvenience re-
mained-the cotton would adhere to the bob
bins, and the evil appeared to be insurmount-
able.
or course these delays seriously affected
the wages Of the operatives, who, on Satur-
days, generally came short in proportion to
the stoppages during the previous days. 1t
was noticed, however, that one man always
drew his full pay-his work was always ac-
complished-in fact his loom never had to
stop, while every other in the factory was
idle. Mr.. Peel was informed of this and
knew there must be a secret somewhere. 1t
was important that it should be discovered If
possible.
The man was watched, but all to no pur-
pose; his fellow workmen tried to pump
him, but they couldn't; at last Mr.. Peel sent
for the man into hisprivate Office.
He was a rough looking Lancashire man
unable to read or right-little better, indeed,
than a mere animal. He entered tie "pres-
ence" pulling his forelock, and shuGling on
the ground with his great clumsy wooden
shoes
"Dick, said Mr. Peel, Ferguson, the over
Iooker, tells me that your bobbins are always
clean; is that so?'
"Ee's Master, t be-"
"Well, Dick, how do you manage it-have
YOU any objection to let me know2"
why. Master Pill, It be soart o sacret
loike, ye see and if OF told, t others d know
s moch as OIL replied Dick, with cunning
grin.
"Of course, Dick, I'll give you something
if you'll tell me-and if you can make all the
looms in the factory work as smoothly as
yours"
"Ev'ry one n EN-, Measter Pill"
"Well, what shall I give your Name
your price, Dick, and let me have your Sc
cret."
Dick grinned, scratched and shook his great
head, and shufled for few minutes, while
Mr.. Peel anxiouSly awaited his reply. The
cotton lord thought his servant would ask a
hundred pounds or so, which he would most
willingly have given him. Presently Dick
said:
"Well, Master Pill, I'll tell ZEE all about it,
if you'll gi me-a quart o beer day as
long as I'm in the Mills-youT save that
ten."
Mr.. Peel rather thought he should, and
quickly agreed to terms.
You shall have it, Dick; and half gal
on every Sunday, into the bargain"
"WeI then" said Dick, first looking eau
.iously round to see that no one was near
a this be it." and putting his lips close to Mr..
PeeIs ear, he whispered:
"Chalk your Bo6bins"
That indeed was the great secret. Dick
lad been in the habit of furtively chaIking
his bobbins, which simple cOntrivance had eff
ectuaIly prevented the adherence Of the cot
.on.- As the bobbins were white the chalk
ng had escaped detection.
Mr.. Peel was sagacious man, and saw
through the affair at glance. He at once
patented the invention-had "chalking" ma
,hinery contrived, and soon took the lead in
cotton spinning department This was the
oundation of his princely fortune. 1t is but
light to add that he pensiOned off Dick hand
;omely.