The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1871-01-14
Objectionable Farm Help.

In nothing do farmers run a greater risk
than in the employment Of hired men who
are to work with their sons in the cult
Walton of the farm and, II must be con
fessed, that In few things do they mani
fest so little concern, When it comes
time to IN spring work, the rule is
TO engage the first mar that comes along,
providing he will work for the wages
offered, and providing, also, he appears to
have the requisite physical qualifications
to enable him to use the spade, pillow or
pitchfork, Some questions may be asked
about the candidates experience in farm
ing but with these all catechising ceases,
and a bargain Is struck. Is the stranger
applying to you for employment freshly
discharged from a Jail or penitentiary2
Was he convicted of vagrancy or of some
crime against society by the police court in
some large city, and judgment suspended
forty-eight hours providing he would leave
town. Is he grossly immoral, irreligious,
intemperate or licentiousy Is he vulgar,
indecent or profane in his langnagey IN
too many cases no answer Is sought to
these and equally important questions
Now, this same farmer, who shows 80
little interest in as~certaining the moral and
intellectual character OF the man who Is to
form q part of his household, and who Is
to be the intimate companion of his sons,
would he much more particular and much
more diligent In his Inquiries II he was
about to purchase a horse, albeit he did not
expect to keep him six months, and was at
liberty to trade him off in u weeks time.
He would satisfy himself that the horse
that was to pillow his corn, draw the manure
from his stable, and carry his grist to mill,
was not vicious. The disposition Of the ami
NAL in relation to jumping fences, kicking,
baking, would be a subject of earnest in
uuiry. This farmer who thinks that he
can take the measure Of a mar morally
and intellectually, as well as physically, by
simply looking at him, will not trust so
much TO his eyesight when he comes to
buy a horse. A horse which Is to mate
another in a team for blowing, and be
turned into q pasture with a lot Of colts,
must have q character. He must be an
upright horse as well as q strong and docile
one.
Few persons are ever placed in a posi-.
ton to exercise so much influence over
the manners and morals of farmers b0ys,
as are the hired men who are put to labor
with them in the field. They enjoy a IA
miliarity and an equality with them such
as Is seldom found in other pursuits. As
a rule the greater strangers they are when
they com on the farm, the greater will be
| their opportunities for evil. Country boys
| are fond of new corners, and manifest great
| curiosity in learning about their previous
pursuits and companions. They are quick
to pick up slang phrases, and are often
easy subjects to be taught vice and immor-
atty. The farmer, himself, 10 often away
on business or is employed in superintend
ing affairs at a distance from his sons and
| his hired men. At such times there are
| free opportunities for the corrupt influence
of "evil communications" Again, the
hired men often share the same apartment
at night with the boys Of the family, so
that by day and by night, while at work
and at rest, the boys and the hired men are
together.
1t matters little how wisely the father
may direct his household. how tenderly
the mother may watch over the moral and
social development Of her n they are
almost sure TO fall the prey to pernieious
habits and to evil conversation, IL un.
worthy men are placed with them as labor
ers. A good woman once said To the
writer Of this article, 81 send my SON TO
your school to receive an instruction, and
am more than satisfied with their ad.
vancement; but | am sorry to say that the
boys in the street educate them" The
counterpart Of this may be found on many
Western farms. where the boys have re.
fined parents and are sent to good schools
Their companions on the farm are s~lovenly
In their appearance, upcouth In their man
ners, lax In their morals, and profane In
their language.
This state Of things will be so till farm
ers exercise as much judgment and mani
fest az much scrutiny in the selection OF
man as they do in the selection Of Q hors'
that Is TO work on the farm, II will 70
main as Il. 10 now till farmers are willint
to pay D per month 10 q man Of goot
habits than TO 4 man Of loose or bad ones
Farmers must offer in incentive TO sobri
ETY., morality and TO correct department
Until chen hired men may think like th'
honest Hibernian soldier In the old day
Of low pay in the regular army. Ho r.
piled TO the officer that upbraided him 70
appearing on parade In q state Of intoxlca
ton, How can you expect . man TO pEac
! ics all the cardinal virtues Tor seven DOL