There was no
fence or covering over the hole. Since my accident they have stopped
it altogether, and have covered the hole up with a piece of sheet
iron. . . . They gave me 25 pounds. They didn't reckon that as
compensation; they said it was only for charity's sake. Out of that I
paid 9 pounds for a machine by which to wheel myself about.
I was labouring at the time I got my legs off. I got twenty-four
shillings a week, rather better pay than the other men, because I used
to take shifts. When there was heavy work to be done I used to be
picked out to do it. Mr. Manton, the manager, visited me at the
hospital several times. When I was getting better, I asked him if he
would be able to find me a job. He told me not to trouble myself, as
the firm was not cold-hearted. I would be right enough in any case .
. . Mr. Manton stopped coming to see me; and the last time, he said he
thought of asking the directors to give me a fifty-pound note, so I
could go home to my friends in Ireland.
Poor M'Garry! He received rather better pay than the other men because
he was ambitious and took shifts, and when heavy work was to be done he
was the man picked out to do it.
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