Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-03-17

met on the stairs?' Had you been
scolding them:'
What makes you ask, Katy?'
Because they looked so sad and dis.
couraged.'
Did they 2 asked Mr.. Griffith with
momentary compuuction.
Yes, papa and I heard 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 curioua, my darling.'
That isn't telling me, papa said the
young lady perslstently.
Then, if you must know, it was to
ask for higher wages
'Os course you gave it P
OF course l didn't. Why should l ?
Because they need it. How much
do they get now?
Three shiilings day
Only three shillings a day excla'm.
ed Katy, and have to support their
families ou! of that?'
Yes
% papa, how can you pay them such
mean wages?'
81 pay as high wages as other manu-.
facturers, said her father.
'But they can't live on three shilllngs
a day, poor men. How much more did
they ask for:
'Slxpence day.
Only sixpence day, and You refus.
ed p said Katy reproachfsllY.'
But consider, my dear, on all my
workmen it would amount to more than
1000 pounds a year
And how much do you make in
year, papa:'
This year, said Mr.. Griffith proudly,
4 think | shall make nearly $1,000
pounds.
You don't surely spend all that,
papa"
Not more than 1000 pounds.
And the rest?'
i lay mp for my Katy
Then, said Katy, as 1t is to be mine,
pay the msn shilling more day.
There'll be enough left for me. l
shouldn't enjoy money that was taken
from 30 many poor people. Think,
papa, how much good the extra shilling
would do to your poor men, and how
little difference it would make to me. l
shall be AZ rich as l want to be. Come,
papa, you were once poor yourself.
You should pity the poor
At these words Mr.. Griffith recalled
the difficult struggle he had early in
life and the sefiishness of his present
treatment of his poor operatives struck
him forcibly. His own heart j,ined
with his daughter.
Are you in earnest, Katy, IN what
you cay ? be asked.
Surely, papa.
If l do wha. you ask it will make
considerable difference in your fortune.
But l shall feel so happy when l
think that the men are more comfort
able. Won't you do 1t, papa?'
Yes, Katy said her father; I will
do as you say. Other manufacturers
will think have gone insane, but If |
please my Katy will not care
I love you better than ever now pa.
pa and the warm hearted girl threw
her arms around her fathers neck.
A servant was sent to Hugh Roberts
cottage to bid him come to the great
house. lie 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 re-
ceive his discharge IN return tor his
bold request. Again he was ushered
into the presence of his employer.
i have been thinking of your request,
my man. said MIR. Griffith in a kind
tone, and though doubt whether any
other manufacturer would grant it, l
have made up my mind to do it.
Bless you, sir said Hugh Roberts,
his tace lighting up. Heaven will re-
ward you. Then We shall have three
shilling and sixpence hereafter
You shall have four shillings'
'Four shillings! Are you really in
earnest, sir:
Truly so. The overseer shall receive
my instructions tomorrow
The workman burst into tears, but
they were tears Of joy.
The men will bless you he said smll'