Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-03-17
Mechancstown Frederick County, Maryland Thursday March H. 1892
kATY'S SACRIFICE.
ny n0RATIO ALGER, JR.

by his face, his reflections were Of All
agreeable nature.
The prospect is,' he asid to himself,
that my income for the present year
will reach $1,000 pounds. That is a
tidy sum for one who started as poor
boy. And I am not so old, either, just
turned of sixty! There IS more than
one nobleman in the kingdom that
woulo be glad Of John Griffith income.
NY Katy will have a rich DOVER
He was interrupted by the entrance
Of servant.
Mr.. Griffith. he said, there are three
men below who would like to see you.
'ThIee men p
Yes sir. They are not gentlemen,
said the servant, who understood the
question. They are from the mill, I'm
thinking
Very we'll show them up
1t was a holiday and the works were
not in operation, 80 the operatives were
off work.
Then was heard the tramp OF heavy
boots on the staircase and presently ell.
tered three men, whose dress and ap-
pearance indicated clearly that they
belonged to the class who are doomed
to earn their daily bread by hard and
unremltting labor.
What ,s 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, We
are employed in the mill and it's about
that that we've come to see you.
Very we'll, SAID John Griffith, re-
stunning his seat, speak OH, whatever
YOU have to say to me-.
It's this, Mr.. Griffith. sir, and hope
YOU won't be offended at what I say.
We came here to humbly beg that you
would be pleased to raise our wages
To raise your wages exclaimed Dir.
Griffith in displeased tone.
Yes sir. hope you won't be Of
Tended.
Don't l give as high wages as are
paid IN other mills
'Mayhaps you do sir, but its very
hard to get along on three shilling
day.
But if | should pay higher wages
than others, they could undersell me in
the market.
Il don't know. sir, but 1 think we
should work more cheerful and do more
in day if we felt that we had little
more to live on, 80 that the wife and
children needn't have to pinch and 60
hungry
These words were uttered IN q manly
and STRAIGHTFORWARD tone, and there
was not little pathos in them, but it
seemed lost upon MIR. Griffith.
It's only sixpence more day we
ask, sir, Said Hugh Roberts pleadingly.
Mr.. Griffith made mental calcula-
ton. He had three hundred men in bis
employ. He found that sixpence a day
additional would make sum total of
over 9 900 pounds. THIS reflection har
dened his heart against the applicants.
No. he sad, your request Is unrea'
sonable cannot accede to it,
But, sir, said Hugh Roberts, think
what it is to support family on thee
shlings day.
1T is hard, no doubt said Mr.. Grif-
fifth, but canuot afford to make the
advance you desire.
Then you refuse, sir ?
4 do. If you can do any better, of
course won't prevent you betttering
yourselves
We can't do better, sir. said Hugh,
bitterly, crushing his hat between his
toll hardened fingers. we have no
other way to live, except to work for
you and take what you are pleased to
pay
Think it over, my men, sald Mr..
Griffith more good humoredly, for he
had carried his point, and you will see
that can't pay more than other man
ufacturers I've no doubt your wives
and children will earn something to
help you along
The three men departed with sad ia.
ces, looking us 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 compara-
lively late IN life, she was his darling
and the light of his existence. 1t was
for her that be wished to become rich
that he might make her match for
the highest, as he was wont to express
it.