The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-09-13

mat ISM t telling me, papa, said
the young lady, persistently.
Then. if you must know, it was to
ask for higher wages.
OF course you gave it.
Ofcourse Didn't. Why shouldI?
Because they need it. How much
do they get now
Three shillings a day.
Only three shillings a day? ex-
claimed Katy, and have to support
their families out of that?
Yes.
O, papa, how can you pay them
such mean wages?
pay as high wages as other man
ufacturers, said her father.
But they can't live o1 three shil-
lings day, poor men. How much
more did they ask for?
Sixpence day.
Only sixpence a day and you re-
fused, said Katy reproachfully.
But consider, my dear, on all my
workmen it would amount to more
than two thousand pounds a year.
Ancfhow much do you make in
year, papa
This year, said Mr.. Griffith,
proudly. | think l shall make nearly
fifteen thousand pounds.
You don't surely spend all that,
papa?
Not more than four thousand.
And the rest?
lay up for my Katy.
Then, said Katy, as it is to be
mine, pay the men a shilling more
day. There'll be enough left for
me. shouldn't enjoy money that
was taken from so many poor peo-
pie. Think, papa, how much good
the extra shilling would do to your
poor men, and how little difference
it would make to me- | shall be as
rich as | want to be. Come papa,
you were once poor yourself. You
should pity the poor,
At these words, Mr.. Griffith re-
called the difficult struggle he had
early in life, and the selfshness of
his present treatment of his poor
operatives struck him forcibly. His
own heart joined with his daughter.
Are you in earnest, Katy, in what
you say? he asked.
Surely, papa.
Ii do what you ask, it will make
a considerable difference in your for
tune.
But shall feel so happy when l
feel that the men are more comfort
able. Won't you do it, papa?
Yes, Katy, said her father, l will
do as you say. Other manufacturers
will think have gone insane, but if
l please my Katy l will not care.
love you better than ever now,
papa, and the warm hearted girl
threw her arms around her fathers
neck.
A servant was sent to Hugh Rob-
erts' cottage to bid him come to the
great house. He was sitting in
moody silence in his poor cabin,
which was pervaded by general air
of want and discomfort. He did not
understand the summons, but
thought he might be going to receive
his discharge in return for his bold
request. Again he was ushered into
the presence of his employer.
l have been thinking of your re-
quest, my man, said Mr.. Griffith in
kind tone, and though l doubt
whether any other manufacturer
would grant ii l have made up my
to do 1t.
Bless you, sir! said Hugh Roberts,
his face lighting up. Heaven will
reward you. Then we shall have
three shillings and sixpence here
after?
You shall have four shillings.
Four shillings! Are you really in
earnest, sir?
Truly so. The overseer shall re.
ceive my instructions tomorrow.
The workman burst into tear. but
they were tears ofjoy.
The men will bless you, he said,
smiling, and the words had pleas.
ant sound for Mr.. Griffith A hearty
blessing is not to be despised.
1t was found on experiment that
the profits Of the business were but
little affected by the increased wages,
for the men now worked with a
hearty good will which enabled them
to accomplish more work in day,
so that Katy's sacrifice will be less
than was supposed. Every day she
reioices over the additional comforts
secured by the extra shilling paid at
her instigation.