The Cecil Whig., 1862-12-06
" haIk Your BObbins.'

Every one knows that old Sir Robert
Peel, father of the late Prime Minister
of England, and grandfather of The
present barouet, made his money by the
co ton spinning. In the cal y part of
his career his business was not remarka-
bly, extensive, bu- suddenly he made a
tremendous start, and soon distanced ali
his rivals He grew immensely rich, as
we all know, but we do not all know the
lucky accident to which he was indebted
for his enormous veal h.
In he early days of cotton spinning
machinery a great deal of trouble used
to be caused by fnmcnts of CO ton
adhering to the bob5ins or tapes which
then formed portions of looms. These
flamcnts accommodating, soon clog
ged the wheels and othor parts of ,hc
machinery, and rendered it necessary
that they should be cleared, which invol-
we'd frequent stoppages and much loss of
tinG
The great desidcra um was to find out
some plan of preventing this clogging
by The cotton, and Sir Robert, Mr. Peel,
as he was then, spent vast sums in ex-
perimen S. He employed some of the
ablest machineSts in the kingdom-among
hem James Watt-who suggested varl-
Gus corrections but spite Of all they
could do, the Inconvenience remained
the cotton would adhere to the bobbins,
and the evil appeared to be insurmount-
able.
Of course these delays seriously affect
cd the wages of the operatives, who on
Saturdays generally came short in pro-
portion TO the oppages during the pre-
vious days. 1t was noticed, however,
that one man always drew his full pay,
his work was always accomplished ; 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 secret somewhere. 1t
was impor ant thai it should be discov-
cred, II possible.
The man was watched, but all 10 no
purpose; his fellow workmen tried to
"pump" him, but they couldn't at last
Mr.. Peel sent for the man into his pri-
vate office.
lle was rough Lancanshire man,
unable to aead or write little better,
indeed, than a mere animal. He entered
the presence pulling his forelock and
shutting on the ground with his great,
clumsey wooden shoes.
:: Dick" said Mr. Peel, " Ferguson,
the over locker, tells me your bobbins
are always clean, is that SO p
Ee's master, It be-"
Well, Dick, how do you manage it !;
have you any objection to let me know 2"
Why, mas er Pill, t be soart of
sacet loike, ye see, and if OIL told, t.
hers ID know 5 moch as OIL" replied
Dick, with a cunning grin
"Of course, Dick, III give you some-
thing if you'll tell he and if you can
make all the looms in the factory work
as smooth as yours"
Ev'ry one N them, master Pill"
Well, what shall l give you -
Name your price, Dick, and let me have
your secret"
Dick grinned, scratched and shook his
great head, and shuffied for few mnu-
ties, while Mr.. Peel anxiously awai ed
his reply. The co ton lord thought his
servant would only ask hundred pounds
Or so, which he would most willingly
have given him. Presently Dick said
Well, master Pill, I'll tell zee all
about il, if you'll give me quart o
beer a day as long as Pm in the mills
youll'll save that ten."
Mr.. Peel rather thought he should,
and quickly agreed to the terms.
"You shah have 1t, Dick, and half
gallon Sunday into the bargain"
Wen, them said Dick, first look
ing cautiously around to see that no one
was near" this it be " aud putting his
lips close to Mr.. Peeps car, he whisper
ed: &c Chalk your bobbins!" ~
That indeed was the great secret
Dick had been in the habit of furtively
chalking his bobbins, which simple con-