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

John Grlttlth, rich Eng llsh man
ufacturer, sat in a room in his ele-
giant mansion one day in autumn.
To judge by his face, his reflections
we're 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 VINO
started as poor boy. And am
not so old either. Just turned OF
sixty! There is more than oneno
bleman in the kingdom that would
be glad of John Grifith's income.
My Kate will have a rich dowry.
He was interrupted here by the
entrance of servant.
Mr.. Griffith, he said, there are
three men below who would like to
see you.
Three men?
Yes, sir. They are not gentlemen,
said the servant, who understood the
question. They are men from the
mill, Pm thinking.
Very we'll; show them up.
1t was holiday, and the works
were not in operation, SO that the
operatives we're off work.
Then was heard the tramp of
heavy boots on the staircase. and
presently entered three men, whose
dress and appearance indicated
clearly that they belonged to the
class who are doomed to earn their
daily bread by hard unremitting la
Dor.
What is your business with me,
my men? asked Mr.. Griffith, rising
and surveying them with interest.
Are you employed in the mill?
Yes, sir, said the foremost, Hugh
Roberts, yes, Mr.. Griffith, sir, we
are employed in the mill, and it's
about that we've come to see you.
Very well, said John Griffith, re.
suming his seat, speak on, whatever
you have to say to me.
It's this, Mr.. Griffith, 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 wages exclaimed
Mr.. Griffith, in displeased tone.
Yes, sir. l hope you won't be Of
Tended.
Don't l 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 l 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
more in a 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 go hungry.
These words we're uttered in a
manly and straightforward tone, and
there was not little pathos in them,
but it seemed lost upon Mr.. Griffith.
It's only siXpence more a day we
ask, sir, said Hugh Roberts, plead
ingly.
Mr.. Griffith made a mental calcu-
lations. He had three hundred men
in his employ. He found that SIX
pence a day additional would make
a sum total, during the year, of over
two thousand pounds. This ret1ec-
ton hardened his heart against the
applicants.
No, he said, your request is un-
reasonable; | cannot accede to it.
But, sir, said Hugh Roberts, think
what it is to support family on
three shillings day.
1t is hard. no doubt, said Mr..
Griffith; but cannot afford to make
the advance you desire.
Then you refuse, sir?
| do. If you can do any better,
OF course, | won't prevent your bet
tering yourselves.
We can't do better, sir, SAID Hugh,
bitterly, crushing his hat between
his toil-hardened fingers. We have
no other way to live except to work
for you and take what you are pleas
ed to pay.
Think it over my men, said Mr..
Griffith, more good humoredly, for
he had carried his point, and you
will see that can't pay more than
other manufacturers. I've no doubt
your wives and children will earn
something to help you along.