Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-07-25
KATY'S SACRIFICE.

poor bow. And | am no. SO old. either.
Just turned of sixty. There Is moro
than one noblenan in the kingdom thai
would be glad of John Griffith's income.
Nv Katy viii have rich dowry."
He was interrupted here by the en-
trance Of a servant.
MIR. Griffith" he said, there arc
three men below who would like 10 SEQ
you"
Three mem
"Yes. sir. They are not gentlemen. >
said the servant, who understood tho
question. They are men from the mill,
I'm thinking"
Very well; show them up
II was "a holiday and the works were
not in operation, so that the operatives
were off work.
Then was heard the tramp of heavy
boots on the staircase and presently en-
tered three men. who dress and appear
ance indicated clearly that they belonged
to the class who are doomed TO earn their
iaily bread by hard and unremittinS
labor
What is your business with me. my
mem" asked Mr. Griffith. rising and sur
veying them with interest. Are you
employed in the milf
Yes. sir" said the foremost. Hugh
Roberts: yes. Mr.. Griffith, sir. we ara
employed in the mill. and it y about that
we've come to see you"
VERY well. said John Griffith. re-
suining his seat. speak on, whatever
yon have to say tn me-"
Its this, Mr. Griffith. sir, and | hope
you won't be offended at what | say.
We came here to humbly beg that YOU
would I've pleased to raise our wages"
ITO raise YOUR wages exclaimed Mr..
Griffith in displeased tone.
YES. sir. | hope You won't he Of
Tended
Don't give as high wages AS ara
paid in other mills"
'Mavhap you do. sir; but it's very
hard to get along on three shillings a
day"
But if ! should pay higher wages
than others they could undersell me in
the market"
81 don't know. sir. but | think We
should work more cheerful and do more
in day if we felt that We had a little
more to live on. SO that the wife and
children needn't have to pinch and 50
hungry"
These words Were uttered in a manly
and STRAIGHTFORWARD tone, and there was
not a little pathos i'll them, but it seemed
lost upon Mr.. Griffith.
Its only sixpence more a day we ask
sir, said Hugh Roberts pleadingly.
Mr. Griffith made mental calcula-
ton He had three hundred men in his
employ. He found that sixpence day
additional would make sum total dur
ing the wear of over two thousand
pounds. This reflection hardened his
heart against the applicants.
NO" he said. "your request is I'M
reasonable: cannot accede to it"
But. sir" said Hugh Roberts, think
what it is TO support family on three
shIllings day
at is hard. no doubt" said Mr.. Grit
fifth: but cannot afford to make the
advance You desire"
Then You refuse. SIR
II do. IF You can do any better OF
course | won't prevent your lettering
yourselves.
I'VE can't 10 better. sir, said Hugh.
bitterly. crushing his hat between his
toll hardened fingers. We have no
other way to live. except to work for you
and take what you are pleased to pay"
Think it over. my men," said Mr..
Griffith more good humoredlv, for he
had carried his point, and you will see
that can't pay more than other manu-
facturers I've no doubt Your wives and
children will earn something to help You
along"
The three men departed with sad
faces, looking as if life were weary
struggle, with little to cheer it,
Scarcely had they left the room when
Katy Griffith entered,~~
Born when her father was compare
lively late in life. she was his darling
and the light If his existence. 1t was for
her that he wished to become very rich,
that he might make her match for the
highest. as he was wont TO express it,
They will overlook old John Griffith
pedigree" he said to himself. If his
daughter has a good hundred thousand
pounds to her dowry."
Katy entered. a bright eyed. attrac-
tive girl Of Is. Of whom her father might
well be proud.
How are you. my darling" said her
father. smiling foudly upon her.
"rm always well. she sail lightly;
"but papa, who were those poor men
that met on the stairs? Had you been
scolding them
What makes YOU ask, Katy"
"Because they looked SO sad and dis
eouraged"
did they" asked Mr. Griffith, with
conjunction.
Yes, papa. and heard one of them
sigh. as if he were tired of living"
They were men from the mill. Katy
And what did they come for: Do
you tell them about the work.
No; the overseer does that"
Then what did they come fory'
You are very curious. my darling"
That isn't telling me. papa said the
young lady persistentIy.
Then. if you must know, it was to
ask for higher wages"
''Of course Won gave it"
"Of course didn't. Why should r.
Because they need it. How much do
they get now"
Three shillings day.-
''Only three shillings day. exclaimed
Katy. land have to support their fam
lies out of that?7
Yes"
30 papa. how can you pay them such
mean wages?
Il paw as high wages az other manu.
facturers." said her father.
But they can't live on three shillings
a day. poor men. How much more did
they ask fors''
''Sixpence DAY"
''Only sixpence day, and you refused:-
said Katy reproachfully.
But consider, nv dear, on all nv
workmen it would amount to more than
two thousand pounds q year
And how much do you make in
year, papa"
This year" said Mr.. Griffith. proud
ly. Il think / shall make nearly
fifteen thousand pounds"
You don't surely spend all that,
papa:-
Not more than four thousand
pounds"
And the rests-
Il lay up for my Katy
Then said Katy. las it is to be
mine, pay the men . shilling more a
day. ThereT be enough left for me.