"The Carpenters of our city are upon a strike for an advance of $.25 a day; this will make $10.50 a week. . . Take a workingman at from 30 to 40 years of age, with his wife and three children. . . To take away all opportunities of dissatisfaction, I wi ll average the family at five. Now what will it take to maintain a family of the last mentioned number weekly?...A barrel of flour, $5, will last 8 weeks-this will leave flour $.62.50 per week; sugar, 4 lbs. at $.08 per lb., $.32 per week; butter, 2 lbs. at $.3I.25 per lb., $.62.50; milk, $.02 per day, $.14 per week; butcher's meat, 2 lbs. of $.14 per week; fuel, 3 tons coal, $15 per annum; charcoal, chips, matches, et cetera, $5 year. This makes $.40 per week for fuel. Salt, pepper, vinegar, starch, soap , soda, yeast, now and then some cheese, eggs, &c., $.40 a week more, for all these sundries; wear and tear and breakage of household articles, such as cups, saucers, plates, dishes, pans, knives, forks, &c., $.25 per week; rent $3.00 per week; bed clothe s and bedding $.20; wearing apparel $2.00 per week; newspapers $.12.

Total . . . $10.37

...I ask, have I made the working man's comforts too high? Where is the money to pay for amusements! for ice creams, his puddings, trips on Sunday up or down the river, in order to get some fresh air; to pay the doctor or apothecary, to pay for pew ren t in the church, to purchase books, musical instruments?..."

Assignment:

Complete the questions below.

1. When was this article written?
2. What is the writer trying to show?
3. Do you think the author make his point? Explain.