The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-08-05
A Word for Employees.

1T is surprising how apt certain employ
ers are to make dull boy of the Jack
who serves them by giving him all work
and no play. They sometimes may rest
their horses for ecOnOmy's sake, but their
clerks and apprentices must toll on To the
tiresOme end without a holiday-unlesS
nature take the case in hand, and, laying
Jack flat on his back, bid him make sport
of fever as best he may, since naught else
can win him ticket-of-leave from factory
or shop
Every employee, in whatever business he
may be engaged, should be granted some
respite from work during the hot season
NOT as Scrooge would grant it, with a
grunt and scowl, and suspension fpay :;
but cheerfully, heartily, with a glowing
:" Go, and enjoy yourself" that sends him
off half rested at the outset.
Not only in the large cities, but in
country towns, in villages even at the
store on the crossroads, where rural
sounds come sweetly in at the open door,
the clerk needs change and rest during
the summer, and he should have it. 1t is
no excuse for an employer that he says
g L work all the year through, and ask
those who serve me only to do the same.
Because he has chosen an incessant way
of earning his bread, it is no reason why
he should entail the dry bones OF his mis-
take upon others; no reason why he
should say to Jack: Z" / never stop want
ing fruit, so do you never stop shaking
the tree for me-" No. A hearty, thought
full employer secures hearty, thoughtful
service. Only conscientious master may
expect to have a conscientious man. Every
time discreet ask-giver wins grateful
THANK you, sir" from his clerk or work
man, he places a lever under that man ;
powers ready to raise them to higher and
better service.
Contrast the two employers, George w
Childs, of Philadelphia, and the London
manufacturer, Adams: The one, at an eX-
pense of thousands of dollars, giving his
army of hands" a grand sinless frolic on
the Fourth, bringing them under the
happy influence of pure air, fine scenery,
music, generous entertainment, and social
intercourse. The other, if accounts are
to be relied on, selfshly and cruelty turn
ing out a workman to starvation md de
spalr, after years of faithful Twice, at
the first intimation that the poor fellow ;
consumptivc condition would soon unfit
him for labor! Which of the two men
sleep the more restfully-he who breathes
an atmosphere of blessings from those
whom he has cheered and benefited or h
in whose ears must ever ring the curse OF
the poor craZcd murderer and suicide, Dug
gan: May the horror of this night be
visited upon the man who forced it."
These are extreme instances. Few EN-
ployers, however enlightened and warm
hearted, find themselves able to carry out
magnificent schemes of kindness after the
manner of Mr.. Childs; and not all selfish
hardened men-thank God can act TIL,
cruel part of Mr.. Adams Yet there ar,
gradations of Christian courtesy and o
grinding tyranny-ladders by which every
employer may 60 up or down, climbing
heavenward or descending toward tn,
depths. The latter sort are crowded will
those who dedicate their mastership solely
to MammOn. 1t is on the ascending
rounds we find the men who are mos
eager to plan vacations, or at least, occa
siOnal holidays, for all in their employ
Hearth and Home.