Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-15

''What would you do, you little spice
| box?" I asked, amused at her show of tenn
per.
Il wonld do as papa does. He hires men
! to work for him, and gives them good
| warm houses to live in
81 thought your father had rent, the
| same as Others" l said. never paid any
| attention to the way Sir Wren conducted
his estate.
You ask him and see," she said, as we
| rode up to the door,
Sir Wren was in the library enjoying the
morning paper and warm comfortable
! fire, as Annie ushered me into the room.
$50, So" he said, as he saw me. "You
| bring your own answer. Well, that is
! business like"
Yes, Sir Wren" I said, taking the
chair he pointed out near the fire. 80 far
as | know | am at your service"
! Il have some important business in Lon
don. 1t needs careful attention, though
not Immediately. And as this rheumatic
! foot disables me, thought you could do ii
! for me and take pleasure trip at the same
| time. The business is easily managed. I
will prepare the documents and YOU can
| deliver them according to directions. |
will give you a letter of Introduction to the
| Duke of Molvorne. who will show Won
! kindness for old times sake; as his father
and | were very warm friends until his
death two years ago. Since then have
never been to Blue Ridge, as his home is
| called"
Then [ am to follow directions and
| have the pleasure free" I said, laughing
| at his plan.
II hope it may be pleasure to you. ]
am always glad to aid my friends in that
| direction. How is your mother and the
brown thrush at Waverland?''
My mother is very we'll Better, she
says, than for years. And Miss Everett is
as busy as ever scattering sunshine and
| gladness wherever she goes. Even the
| poor tenants enjoy some of her gladness.
| We were just planning some way by
which we could make them more comfort
| able, when Annie came"
did you hit on any plan?"
eve did not. But Annie gave me a hint
| of the manner you manage your estate,
| that may help me. would like to learn
! your method"
''There is not much to tell. I hire men,
women and children by the year to work
| for me-"
"Why, what are you doing now to earn
| their Wages?'
"Come and see," sid Sir Wren. as he
took his hat and cane and started for the
door. We passed into a large yard sur
| rounded by out-buildings. We entered
one and found large quantities of vegeta-
bles with women and children sorting
| them into heaps.
''You see now" he said, pointing round
| the room, Il have them sorted in this way
to make different grades for MARKET
81 understand now. The object gained
by this work is a higher price for produce. -
Gust so, just So" he said, patting me
on the shoulder. II save the small ones
and sell them to my help at lower price;
| while the large fine ones bring a higher
price in the market"
We entered another building which
proved to be workshop. Old rakes wa
| CONS, plOWs and all kinds Of farming i'm.
PIGMENTS were being repaired by the men.
mo idlers here" he said as we walked
through. There were no idlers, but what
seemed strange was that some We're sing
! ing and some whiStling, which told Of con-
! tentment.
''That is a saving in two ways" said Sir
Wren, as we left the building. Things
are under shelter, and then, when they are
needed in the busy season, we will not
have to lose valuable time during good
weather for them to be repaired"
81 see the philosophy of that" I said, as
we entered the blacksmith shop. Here one
| man was shoeing horse, another fixing q
buggy spring, and all were usefully EN-
ployed.
''This is sample of the way about fou1
/ hmm lpol L =
winter weather. IN summer my land is
Well cultivated and made to produce large
returns" he said, as we left the shop
where all We're busy.
do they earn their wage s?' I asked.
eyes, and good per cent of profit"
"Where do they liye:"
"Follow me and see," he said. We
walked round to one side of the estate
where street was laid out, and lots of
about one-half acre with a neat little
frame house, a pig pen and cow stable
on each.
''Here," he said ''is where my people live
L give this house and lot free Of charge to
any man with family while he works for
me-"
Il see each one has pig pen and a cow
stable"
LES, give Iiie illtIt Il COW ana q sDlg II
they hire by the year"
''These cottages would rent for five ~
six pounds a year"
Il know they would. But [ would rath-
er have happy, contented men and women
than the rent. Then, too, I believe [ re-
ceive more than the rent in extra work"
"HOw neat and clean it all looks I re-
marked with warm approval [ could not
help contrasting this with the tenant vii
lage on my own estate.
II tell Them" said Sir Wren, THAT
cleanliness adds to their comfort. I also
try to inspire them with a desire to keep
their places neat. 1 believe tenants in
general would keep their places more tidy,
but they fear their rent will be raised if
they make any improvement"
Il think Annie was right" | said, as we
entered the house. This plan is better
for the people than the old rent system"
II could never submit to that" said Sir
Wren, with decision. at is too calling
for the tenant and too tempting for the
landlord who has nothing to do but grind
out OF the tenant farmers all he can, while
the tenant must live on the poorest food
and in the meaneSt novels, that the rent
NAV be paid when due. to save eviction.n
81 know that is true" I said. 81 have
been over my estate and find want and
misery at nearly every door. Why in some
novels with neither floor nor windows, |
have found five or six persons, a cow and
the pigs all crowded together: they say
they must shelter the COW so she viii give
more milk; and the pigs will die if not
sheltered from the cold. turn from such
places, sick at heart. What can be done?