money was coming in, it was hard to find enough with which to pay so
many work-people. Many mill-owners closed their factories at once, thus
throwing hundreds of workmen who had families dependent upon them out of
employment. Mr. Mountjoy was advised to do this, but he could not bear
to be the cause of so much suffering, and his son would not hear of it.

As the only other thing that was possible, he called them all together
one day at the close of the day's work, and explained the situation to
them, asking them if they would rather accept a much lower rate of
wages, or have the mill close altogether and go elsewhere in search of
work.

There were some blank looks as men and women thought how hard it had
been to live at even the present rate of wages, but when the young man
showed them that even his proposal was only possible at a great
sacrifice to himself and the family, there was not a murmur. Everybody
accepted what must be, and though as the winter went on there was much
poverty and privation, there was no bad feeling, no signs of that
terrible desolation, so dreaded at such times--a strike.

The Mountjoys dismissed all their servants but one, the three daughters
cheerfully doing each a share of the housework, and assisting in the
preparation of broths, gruels, and other things needed for the sick and
poor, who greatly missed the higher wages which their natural protectors
had been earning. Neither girl bought a new article of wearing apparel,
and Etta decidedly declined to make her usual winter visit to the city,
saving thus a considerable sum of money and much still more valuable
time for the blessed service to which she had devoted herself.

And so the storm was weathered, and when work recommenced in the spring
with even better prospects and at the old rates of remuneration, every
one was glad; but no one had really suffered, thanks to the "Do Good
Society" and the consecrated hearts that were faithfully endeavoring to
acknowledge God "in all their ways."

CHAPTER XXIV.

EDUCATIONAL.

With so many interests to fill her leisure hours, as well as such a
pleasant and restful home, our little Katie continued to bear the
confinement and hard work of the mill better than her friends had
expected she would. Though she grew rapidly taller, she did not become
either pale or thin. She continued to like her work, and became more and
more of a favorite, both with her companions and her employers. The
affair