Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1867-11-06
MY TEMPTATION.

father was before me. | was good hand
at my trade, and | worked steadily at it,
When about twenty-four years of age
married girl who was also weaver
She was quiet, amiable. and industrious,
and made me an excellent wife. We
soon had family; but as we were in con-
slant and good work, we not only contrIv-
we'd to keep the wolf from the door, but
lived in comfort and responsibility as well.
We worked for many years for the same
firm, one Of the largest in England, doing
our work well, and never during the
whole time wronged our employers to
the value of an ounce of silk.
When I was about thirty-ive years OF
age, the head partner sent for me, saying
he wanted to speak to me on matter OF
great Importance. /, of course, present.
ed myself at the office, and shortly after
ward was ushered into his room.
&C." he said, "we have always
been much satisfied with your behavior,
and now we are going to advance YOU
The under-foreman in our receiving-room
is going to leave us, and you may have
bis appointment, if you like. Your wages
will be thirty-fve shillings week, and
YOUR wife can work as before"
You may easily believe | was oVerjoyed
at the offer, while Immediately assented ;
and two days afterward | entered on my
duties. They were very light, and con-
sisted principally in receiving the work
brought home by the weavers, examining
it to see that it was properly done, and
giving out the bobbins for fresh work.
Times were now very fourishing with US,
and we earned enough sufficient to give
our children good education. Nly EN-
ployers were perfectly satisfied with me,
and worked on soberly and honestly.
After | had been seven years an under.
foreman, the foreman one day died sudden
ly and | was most anxious to know who
was 10 succeed him, as he had been a very
GOOD friend to me, and we had worked on
very amicabIy together. My doubts at
last terminated in a very satisfactory
manner. The head partner sent for me
one morning, and told me the firm were so
pleased with my steady behavior that they
had determined to offer me the situation
offoreman, with salary of two hundred a
year, to he paid quarterly. | was, natural
ly delighted at the intelligence, as | con-
sidered my fortune as good as made. l
thanked the head of the firm most CRATE
fully for his kindness, and assured him
that every effort should be made on my
part to give him satisfaction.
'Of that am assured, Mr.. C"
he said tit was the first time he had called
me 'Mister," and l was not little flat
tered by IT'D "you can now enter on your
duties as soon as you please"
When in the evening, | told my wife Of
our good fortune, she was completely over
whelmed by 1t, and for some time could
hardly realize it; but when told her the
head partner had called me "Mr. C
she said. Il am sure you would make as
good gentleman as any of them"
"Fair and softly, my DEAR" said |. Let
US first feel our feet, and then we will talk
of that afterward."
My duties now we're not more severe
than formerly, but far more responsible !;
for | was entrusted with considerable sums
of money to pay the workmen. | had al
so an under foreman 10 assist me, who was
a sharp, clever fellow: and we got on We
ry well together. Once a week my books
were audited by the firm, and | was fire.
quently complimented not only on my ex-
acttude. but also, as / was a good PEN
man, on the neat manner in which they
were kept,
Although my income was now two HIN
dred year, it had not increased much in
reality for it had been suggested to me
that now l was in situation of trust and
responsibility, it was hardly just that |
should allow my wife to drudge like a
common weaver. |, without hesitation,
admitted the justice of the remark, but l
hardly thought my wife would agree to
it; however, was determined to try her,
so l told her when went homo in the
evening that | hardly thought it right that
she should continue at the loom, consider
ing the position in life we we're now in
To my great surprise my wife not orly
made no objection. but positively told me
she had already thought SO and she had
WlSned 10 speak 10 me on the suDJect. Out
did not like to, as she was afraid | should
think her lazy.
Although my wife had now given up
her loom, she was by no means idle. I'm.
like most weavers' wives, she was an ex-
pert needle-woman, and she occupied her.
self in making the children's dresses
True, she had always done so before, and
had had time for the loom as well; but
now we we're in more genteel position,
the children had to be better dressed, and,
of course good deal more needle-work
had to be done; but, as my daughters
were now old enough to help their mother
it was no great increase of expense after
all,
After | had been a few months in my
new position my wife one night said to
me, "Our landlord called to-day, and
paid him for the quarter. He talks about
increasing our rent He says you have
had the house too cheap for some time
past, considering the rate of rents in the
neighborhood."
IL shall not pay any more than | dc
now" | replied. "and it is a shameful