The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1870-08-13
How Sir Robert Peel Made his Fortune

Every one knows that Sir Robert Peel.
father of the late Prime Mnester of Eng
land and grandfather of the present Baro-
net, made his money by cotton-spinning.
In the early part Of his career, his business
was remarkably extensive, but suddenly he
made tremendous start, and soon distan-
ced all his rivals. He grew Immediately
,, rich, as we all know, but we do not all.
know the lucky accident to which he was
indebted for all his enormous wealth.
In the early DAY Of cotton-Spinning ma
chinery, a great deal of trouble used to
be caused by fiiament of cotton adhering
to the bobbins or tapes, which then formed
portions of looms. These flaments accumu-
lating. soon clogged the wheels and other
parts OF the machinery, and rendered it
necessary that they should be cleared,
which involved frequent stoppages and
much loss Of time.
The great desideratum was to find out
some plan of preventing this clogging by
cotton, and Sir. Robert, or Mr.. Peel, as he
was then called, spent vast sums in exper-
ments. He employed some of the abest
mechanists in the kingdom, among them
James Watt, who suggested various cor
rections; but spite of all they could DO the
Inconvenience remained, and the evil
appeard to be insurmountable.
Of course, these delays seriously affected
the wages of the operatives, who, on Sun
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-
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 discov-
cred, if possible.
The man was watched, but to no pur-
pose his felow-workmen tried to pump
him, but they could't; at last Mr.. Peel
sent Tor the man into his private office.
lie was rough Lancashire man, unable &
% read or write-little better, indeed than '
mere animal. He entered the presence G
pulling his forelock, and shufling on the 9
ground with his great clumsy, shoes. pa
Dick said Mr.. Peel, 'Furguson, the t
'verlooker, tells me that your bobbins are
lways clean. Is that so p n
'Ee's, master,'t be so' g
well, Dick, how do you manage? Have a
ou any objections to let me know?' a
why, Master Pill,'t be soart O. sacret g
bike, ye see, and if OF told t'others'd knows tt
luch as oil replied Dick, with a cunning 81
rim. b
'Of course, Dick, Ill:give you something to
you'll tell me-ahd if you can make all 70
lie factory work as smoothly as yours th
'Ev'ry omen them, Master Pill ne
well, what shall 1 give you? Name
'ur price, Dick, and let me have your Sc ma
et.' a,
Dick grinned, scratched and stroked his an
'eat head and shufled for few minutes, in
bile MIR. Peel awaited his reply. The by
tton lord thought his servant would brob- mi
'ly ask hunred pounds or so, which he wi
'uld have most willingly given him. Vi
'esently Dick said: CT
'Vell, Master Pill, I'll telPee all about 1t
ifyoull give me-a quart o'beer day do
long as I'm in the mills; you'll save en-
at thcn.' H al
Mr.. Peel rather thought he should, and