St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-06
HIRED HELP ON TIE FARM,
Some Mistakes Made Pointed Ont
by II. 9. Greene in Country Gen


tieman.
Though much has been written on
this subject, much remains TO be said
before the theme grows threadbare. 1t
is matter about which much is felt
and i'll which many are interested. We
do not expect the problem to be solved
for US by another. Every man and
woman, compelled to hire help, must
seek the solution in their own way ac-
cording to their respective tempera-
ments and circumstances.
The money element is often the chief
element in the account, and in too many
cases 1t seems to be the only one con-
slGered; but no problem was ever solved
by the consideration of single factor.
In thousands of caSes-and may the
number increase - there are other
points involved that entirely over
shadow the money element. In how
many Instances that have come under
my notice can | recall the ruin OF
character and the blasting of hopes
among farmers boys and girls. trace
able to the pernicious influence of some
debased employee? Becoming, as hired
men necessarily must with most farm
ers, part of the household, if viciOuSly
disposed the evil is peculiarly hazard
ouS.s This is so apparent that am in
cllned to credit the farmer who en-
ploys such help with his full share of
moral obtuSenesS or stupidity, rather
than Willful disregard of the well
fare of his children.
One OF the greatest mistakes remem-
per my father to have made in my boy
MOOD was the hiring of a single man.
past thirty, for year. While this man
was We'll dressed, agreeable in CONVEX
sation and splendid worker, he was as
vile AS pit-a moral leper. | presume
my father never heard All improper
word from his lips. for no man, ever so
rough. would use an oath in my fathers
presence. But as soon as the keener in
stlhct OF my mother discovered his true
character he was Snmmarily dismissed.
MY father did not need to explain to us
boys. We knew the reason of his dis
charge we'll enough. 1t was to save us
from moral contamination.
When l hire help | make it under
stood that expect my help to be agree
able, and that coarse langu ge, pro-
family and Obscenity are not agreeable
to me. l once discharged the very best
worker ever had in my employ, soon
after the beginning of his second term,
because he would not skip the hard
words" l said to him, Lutte, my boys
are worth more to me than your labor,
and if you will not bride your tongue
you must go.' At the next offense he
went; and now that my boys have be-
come men, if they feel called upon to
explain why they do not swear, ex-
pect they VIII recall this incident as one
of the reasons why.
No farmer is expected to hire man
for the sake of his society, neither is
any farmer justified in utterly ignoring
the social element in his help. | wish
to be and will be, social with my help,
but will not be social with a man, es-
pecially an employee, who cannot or will
not omit the profane and obscene in
conversation. The only remedy l know
for this and many other evils of the sort
is to get acquainted with your man be-
fore concluding bargain with him.
Take little time. Talk with him so as
to draw him out; study him, and if you
are not an adept at reading character,
give your wife chance to size him up.
In nine cases out of ten you need not
both be deceived.