Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-10-12
KATY'S SACRIFICE.

John Griffith, rich English manufact-
urer, sat in a room in his elegant man
sion one day in autumn. To Judge by his
face his reflections were of an agreeable
nature.
"The prospect is" he said to himself,
"that my income for the present year will
reach fifteen thousand pounds. That is
tidy sum for one who started as poor
boy. And / am not so old either. Just
turned sixty. There is more than one no
bleman in the city who would be glad of
John Grifith's income. My Katy will
have rich dowry."
He was interrupted here by the en-
trance of servant.
"Mr. Griffith" he said, "there are
three men below who would like to see
you"
"Three men ?"
eyes, sir. They are not gentlemen"
said the servant, who understood the
question. "They are men flom the mill,
Pm thinking"
Every we'll; show them up"
| 1t 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 entered
three men, whose dress and appearance in
dictated clearly that they belonged to the
class who are doomed to earn their daily
| I A L 1 Lob
"What is your business with me, my
men ?" asked Mr.. Griffith, rising and sur
veying them with interest. "Are you en-
ployed in the mill~
Eyes, sir,n said the foremost, Hugh
Roberts; eyes, Mr.. Grifiths. sir, we are
employed in the mill, and it's about that
we've come to see you"
every WE'LL" said John Griffith, resum-
ing his seat, speak on, whatever you have
to say to me-"
ats this, Mr.. Grifiths, sir, and l hope
YOU won't be offended at what | say. We
came here to humbly beg that you would
be pleased to raise our wages"
"To raise your wagesw exclaimed Mr..
Griffith in displeased tone.
Eyes, sir. l hope you won't be Of
fended.'
Don't 1 give as high wages as are paid
in other mills?"
"Mayhap 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"
II don't know, sir, but 1 think we
should work more cheerful and do more
in day if we felt that we had little
more to live on, SO that the wife and chill
dren needn't have to pinch and go
hungry"
These words were uttered in manly
and straightforward tone, and there was
not little pathos in them, but it seemed
lost upon Mr.. Griffith.
otis only sixpence more day we ask,
sir" said Hugh Roberts pleadingly.
Mr.. Griffith made mental calculation.
He had 800 men in his employ. He
found that sixpence day additional
would make sum total during the year
of over $4,000. This reflection hardened
his heart against the applicants.
NO." he said, 'your request is unreas-
enable; l cannot accede to it"
"But, SIR" said Hugh Roberts, "think
what it is to support family on three
shillings day."
'It is hard, no doubt" said Mr.. Griffith;
'but cannot afford to make the advance
! you desire"
"Then you refuse, sir?'
81 do. If you can do any better OF
course 1 won't prevent your lettering your
selves"
aWe can't do better, sir" said Hugh,
bitterly. crushing his hat between his toll
hardened fingers. ave 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.. Crit
fifth, more good-humoredly, for he had
carried his point, "and you will see that L
can't pay more than other manufact-
urers. I've no doubt your wives and chill
dren 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
Kitty Griffith entered.
Born when her father was comparatively
late in life, she was his darling and the
light of his existance. 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 Grithth,s
pedigree" he said to himself, IF his
daughter has good hundred thousand
pounds to her dowry."
Katy entered, bright-eyed attractive
girl of Is, of whom her father might well
be proud.
'sHow are you, my darling" said her
father, smiling fondly upon her.
"Im always well,n she said lightly,
"but, papa, who were those poor men that
l met on the stairs? Had you been scold-
ing them"
"What makes you ask, Katy"
Because they looked so sad and dis
couraged."
'Did they?" asked Mr.. Griffith, with
momentary conjunction.
Eyes. papa and l heard one of them
sigh, as if he were tired of living"
"They were men from the mill, Katy"
sand what did they come for? Do you
tell them about the work p
"No; the overseer does that"
"Then what did they come for p"
"You are very curious, my darling"
''That isn't telling me, papa" said the
young lady persistently.
"Then, if you must knew, it was to ask
for higher wages"
'Of course you gave it. Of course they
need it. How much do they get now?"
Three shillings day"
"Only three shillings day~ exclaimed
Katy, "and have to support their families
out of that?"
"Yes."
80, papa, how can you pay them such
mean wages?"