South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-07-29

nat makes yon ask, Katy ?''
becsnse they looked so sad and
discouraged. -
sDid they?' asked Mr.. Griffith
with momentary compunction.
Yes, papa and i heard ono OF
them sigh, az IL he were tired Of
They were men from the mill,
"And what did they come for !
Do you tell them about the work?''
mo the overseer does that. -
what did they come for ?''
ling"
THAT isn't telling me. papa. >
said the young lady persistenly.
"Then, il you must know, it was
to ask for higher wages"
''Of course you gave it.
"oi course l didn't. Why
should ?"
because they need it. How
much do they get now Pc
Three shillings day."
"Only three shillings d,y!''
exclaimed Katy, '.and have to sup
port their families out of that 20
eyes"
80 papa. how can you pay them
slch mean wages 20
"I pay as high wages as other
manufacturers" SAID her father.
"But they can't live on three
shillings a day, poor men. How
much more did they ask for s''
'Sixpencs day"
"Only sixpence day, and you
refused 20 said Katy reproachfully.
"But consider, my dear, on all
my workmen it would amount to
more than two thousand pounds a
year"
"And how much do you make IN
a year, papa ?"
"This year, said Mr.. Griffith
proudly, think l shall make near
ly fifteen thousand pounds"
You 1on't surely spend all that,
papa z"
mot moro than four thousand
pounds.
"And the rest p
81 'ay up for my Katy"
"Then, said Katy, as it is to be
mine, pay the men a shilling more
a day. There'll be enough left for
me | shouldn 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 d ference
1t 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 selfishness of
his pre- ent treatment of his poor
operatives struck him forcibly, His
own heart joined with his daughter.
care you in earnest, Katy, in
what you say % he asked.
"Surely, papa"
elf | do what You ask it will
make considerable difference in
your fortune"
"But shall feel so happy when
| think that the men are more COM
Portable. Won't you do 1T, papa?"
eyes, Katy, said her father, I
will do as you say. Other manu-
facturers will think have gone in
sane but if please my Katy | will
not care"
81 love you better than ever now,
papa, and the warm hearted girl
threw her arms round 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 aud discomfort. He did
not understand the summons, but
thought he might be going to re-
ceive his discharge in return for
his bold request Again lac was ush-
cred into the presence of his en-
ployer.
II have been thinking Of your
request, my man." ssit SIR. Grit
fith in a kind tone, and though /
doubt whether any other manufac-
turer would grant it / have made
up my mind TO do it.
"Bless you, sir, said Hugh Rob
erts, hIs face lighting up. Heaven
will reward you. Then we shall
have three sAi.lings AID Gixpence
hereafters
"You shall have four shillings.
"FouT shillings? Are you really
in earnest, sir2
Truly so. The overseer shall re-
ceive my instructions tomorrow.
The workman burst into tears,
bat they we're tears OF Joy.
"Tho men will bless YOU, he SAID
smiling, and the words had a pleas
ant sound for Mr. Griffith. A hear
ty blessing is not to be despised.
1t was found on experiment that
the PROFITS Of the business were but
little affected by the increased wa
gcs, for the men now worked with
a hearty goodwill which enabled
them to accomplish more work in
a day; so that Katy's sacrifice will
ho iooa fhou rra9 or,,,,oooI Al