Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1890-09-23
MISCELLANEOUS.
katy's Sacrifice.
ny noItATIo ALGRR, JR.

BY HoRATIo ALGRR, JR.
John Griffith, rirh English manufacturer,
sat in room in his elegant mansion one day
in autumn. To judge by his face, his reiiec-
tions were of an agreeable nature.
The prospect is" he said to himself, ''that
my income for the present year win reach fif-
teen thousand pounds. This is a tidy sum for
one who started as y poor boy, And am not
so old, either. Just turned of sixty There is
more than one noblcman in the Kingdom that
would be glad of John Grimth's income Ny
Katy will have a rich dowry.f'
He was interrupted here by the entrance Of
4 servant.
''Mr. Griffith, = lie said, there are three men
below who would like to see you."
"fhree men ?"
''Yes, sir. THEY are not gentlemen" said
the servant, who understood the Question:
''They are men from the mill, I'm thinking"
VERY well; show them up" r. .r
1t was holiday and the works we're not in
operation, go that the operatives were of
w6rk
Then was heard tho tramp of heavy boots
on the staircase and presently entered, three
men, whose dress and appeatahte indicated
clearly that they belonged to the class who
are doomed to earn their daily bread by hard
and unrenitting labor.
''What is your business with me, my mcn?"
asked Mr.. Griffith, rising and surveying them
with interest Are ybd employed in the
miIlp"
--1es, SIR" safd inc forenosr, 1fdgh IsoDerts!
''yes, Mr., Griffith, sir, we are employed in the
mill, and it's about that we've come to see
you"
Very we'll" said John Griffith, resuming
his seat, speak ON whatever YOU have to say
20 me-"
SITS this. Mr.. Grifitb. sir. and hope You
won't he offended at what 1 say. We came
here to humhly beg that you would be pleased
to raise oir wugos'
10 rntse your wngesl" exclaimed Mr.. Grli-
nth in displeased tone
Yes, sir. 1 hope you w5nt be offended. I"
Don't l give US high wages ne are paid In
other mills2"
"Mayhnp you do, SIR but lt's very hard to
get along on three shiIlings q day
'But If should pay higher wAges than
others they could undersell me In the market"
~ don't know, sir, but think we should
work more cheerful and do tnorc in day If
we felt that we had a little more to live on, so
that the wife and children needn't haYe to
pinch and go hungry
These words were uttered in a manly and
straightforward tone, and there was a little
path6s In them, bit It seemed lost upon Nj
GriHlth
''It's only sizpeuce more 4 day We ask, Sir :"
sald Hugh Robett5 tieadiHgly.
Mt, Griffith made mental calculation. he
had three hundred men in employ He found
that sixpence day additional would make a
sum total during the year ofover two thousand
pounds. This reflection hardened his heart
against the applicants.
NO he said "your request is unreasono-
bic; cannot accede to It,"
'iBut sir" said Hugh Roberts, 'sthink what
it is to support a family on three shilIings
day."
ut is hard, no doubt, said Mr. GrifHth, but
1 cannot afford to make the advance you de-
sire"
''Then you refuse, sir7"
II do. II you can do any better of course 1
won't prevent your bettering yourselves"
"We can't do better, sir, ," said Hugh bitterly.
crushing his hat between his toll hardened I'm
gers. ''We have no other way to live, except
to work for and take what you are pleased to
pay"
Think it over, my men," said Mr.. Griffith
more good humoredly, for he had carried his
point, ''and yOu win see that can't pay more
than other manufacturers. I've no doubtyour
wives and children will earn something TO help
you along"
The three men departed with sad faces. look
ing as if life were heavy struggle, with little
to cheer it.
Scarcely had they left the room when Katy
Griffith entered.
Born when her father was comparatively
late in life, she vas his darling aud the light
Of 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 want 20 ex-
press it.
They viii overlook old John Grifith's ped
igfee,' be said to himself, eff his daughter has
good hundred thousand pounds TO her
dowry.'
Katy entered, bright-eyed, attfactiTe girl
of Is. Of whom her father might well be proud
"How are you, my darling7" said her father,
smiling fopdly upon her.
I'm always well" she said lightly; "but,
papa, who were those poor men that I met on
the stairs? Had You been scoldiDg fhem?''
What makes yon ask, Baty?"
Because they looked SO sad and disconr-
aged"
"Dfd theys' asked 3lr. Griffith, With rnoneu-
tary compunetion.
"Yes, papai and heard one of them sigh,
as if tired of living"
They we're men from the mill, Katy
''And what did they come for? Do you tell
them about the work.
mo; the overseer does that"
Then what did they come for?'
fou are very curious, my darling"
That isn't telling me, papa, said the young
lady perzisteptiy.