The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-01-29
KA1YS SACRIFICE.

his lace. HIS lell6CllOllS MOlO vi ''A "fnANN
able 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 bow. And am not so old, either
Just tut ned sixty! There is more than
one nobleman i'll the kingdom that would
Ge glad vi Sui,n G,iHth's income. Ny
KATY will have n rich dowry."
He was interrupted here by the en-
trance of n servant.
"Mr. Griffith" he sand, There are
three men below who would like to see
YOU"
"Thlee men ?"
Eyes, sir. They are not gentlemen"
said the servant, who understood the
question. "They are men from the
mill. I'm thinking"
every well; show them up"
1t was hohday and the works were
not in operation, so that the operatives
were of work,
Then was heard the tramp of heavy
boots ON the staircase and presently en-
tered three men, whose dress and APP
pearance indicated clearly that they be-
longed to the class who are doomed to
earn their daily bread by hard and I'M
remittiRg labor.
what is your business with me, my
men ?" asked Mr.. Griffith, rising and
surveying them with interest Are
you employed in the millY
Eyes, sir" said the foreman, Hugh
Roberts; Eyes, Mr.. Griffith we are en-
ployed in the mill, and it's about time
we've come to see you"
Every we'll" said John Griffith, re-
Stunning his seat speak on, whatever
you have to say to me-
''Its this, Mr. Griffith, sir, and hope
YOU won't be offended at what l say.
We came here to humbly beg that YOU
would be pleased to raise our wages"
"TO raise your wages!" exclaimed
Mr. Griffith in IA dSpleased tone.
eyes, sir. hope you won't be Of
fended.'
Don't give as high wages as are
paid in other millsY"
'Mayhap You do, sir but it's very hard
to get along on three shillings day"
''But if | should pay higher wages
than others they could undersell me in
the market"
IL don't know. sir, but l think we
should work more cheerful and do more
in day if we tet that we had little
more to live on, SO that the wife and
children needn't have to pinch and 60
hungry"
These words were uttered in a mani y
and straightforward tone, and there was
not little pathos in them, but it scanned
lost upo Mr.. Griffith.
"Its only sixpence more a day we ask,
sir" said Hugh Roberts pleadingly.
Mr.. Griffith made me tai calculation
He had three hundred men in his en-
ploy. lie found that siXpence a day adj
ditional would make sum total during
the year of over two thousand pounds.
This reflection hardened his heart
against the application.
NO." he said, your request is un-
Ie"sOnable;I cannot accede to it.
" ut, sir" said Hugh Roberts,
''thi k What t is to support family on
three shllings day"
1T 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 won't prevent your lettering
yourselves"
I'VE can't do better, sir" said Hugh
bitterly. crushing his hat between his
toiLh dened fingers. I'VE nave no
oth,r way to live, except to work for
you and take what you are pleased to
pay"
l ullh IL ONGI my Sdlu WI
Griffith more gOOd-humoredly, for he
had carried his point, land you will see
that can 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 of his existence. 1t was
for her that he wished to become very
rich, that he might make her match
for the hig hest, as he was wont to eX-
press it.
'"rhey will overlook old John Crit
fith's pedigree" he said to himself, ''if
his daughter has a good hundred thou
sand pounds to her dOwry."
Katy entered, a bright-eyed attractive
giri ol fifteen, of whom her father might
well be pleased.
''HOw are you, my darling?' said her
father, smiling fondly upon her.
"rm always we'll" she said lightly;
E'but, papa, who were those poor men
that | met on the stairs ? Had you been
ascolding 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 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"
What did they come for ?''
''You are very curious, my darling"
THAT isn'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."
"Of course didn't. Why shoufd ?"
~ because they need it. How much do
they get now?"
"'Three shillings day"
''Only three smiling day." exclaimed
Katy, land have to support their fami-
lies out of that ?"
"Yes."
80 papa, how can you pay them such
mean wages ?"
II pay as high wages as other manu-
facturers," said her father.
"But they can't live on three shillings
day, poor men. How much more did
they ask forP'