Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1910-02-17
FARMERS. BOYS AND oIRLs.
The Question Of Their Wages and
Spending Money.

Spending Money.
At the Central Vermont Pomonr
Grange meeting held in this place las
week a particularly good paper on tb,
above subject was read by Mrs. Charles
Pervier OF Mortified and is here printed
at the request OF those who heard il and
who thought it worthy Of a wider consid
GRAFTON than that OF the audience tc
which it was addressed.
In discussing the question OF wages
and spending-money Of farmers boys and
girlsl trust we will not lose sight OF
other boys aud girls beside the sons and
daughters OF farmers; aud, while we may
be particularly interested in the sons and
daughters OF agriculture, let us bear ia
mind that what concerns the sons and
daughters reared on the farm, strikes
with equal force the children OF parents
in other walks OF life.
Now believe it best to look at the two
separately; not because one should receive
a greater degree of attention than the
other hut because their needs and require
ments are somew bat dissimilar.
Viewing it from this standpoint let US
first consider the wages and Spending
money OF the boy on the farm. This Is
surely an American question. You may
ask why say American. / answer, be-
cause il is first, last and all the time
money. Why was it not asked, what are
the duties, rights and privileges OF the
boy on the farm Perhaps because the
question was considered too elaborate and
its scope too broad for discussion in the
limited time which can be given TO its
consideration; again, peihlps because
wages and spending money were consid-
cred OF paramount importance.
In this discussion it becomes first
necessary for us to arrive at an under
standing Of the boy. Who is he What
is he What are his peculiarities a.?
Along what lines lie his interests and de-
sires In answer to the hrst of these
question, / reply he is a boy. What is be-?
He is boy; he is your boy; he is my boy,
and his peculiarities, interests and desires
are all the peculiarities, interests and de-
sires OF boy With this as a foundation
upon which to base our argument let us
consider this boy, his wages and spend
ing money.
First; is the boy so constituted that be
will be more largely interested in his labor
(labor which leads to his future welfare
and development) il he is relieving
stated amount as wages II such is the
case, then let him receive such sum as can
be agreed upon, being an amount sutfi-
cient for his needs as spending money
and balance left over to place at inter-
est.
In this last DO not wish to be under
stood that the amount is to be left in the
hands OF the parents aud by them depos-
tied in some bank. No, let the boy make
his own deposits let him have the custody
OF his bank book; let him feel and know
I hat II is bis property, under his control
and that be alone is responsible for its
care and the increase OF the amount
to his credit. II this method is
pursued the matter OF spending money is
taken care OF and the argument might
end here; but, IL he does not receive q
stated wage, then the matter of pocket |
money comes into consideration.
The spending money OF the boy must |
depend to some extent upon the means
Df the parents. II the income of the par
snts is limited and 1t is necessary to |
study strict economy in the home, the |
boy must practice the same degree of
irugality that is practiced by the father I
Ind mother. But don't let Us carry this 4
10 the point OF meanness with him. |
Don't ohlige the boy to be beggar.
Don't compel him to ask time and again
'or the little he desires for his amuse-
nent. Let him feel. that his requests will
De granted at all times, IL possible and
lboye all dent lecture him about econo-
ny every time be has a penny handed to
him. Don't make him feel that he is do
ng wrong every time be expends cent
or pleasure. II you do, you will take all
he enjoyment out OF the meagre amount
o grudgingly given-no, paid him.
l would not leave the impression with
ou that he should not be taught econo-
ny. No, no, far from it; yet 1.-THE boy
3 father to the man" and who among |
ou likes to be forever lectured about the
anne matter 1t would become monot-
nous to you, would it not so il will 1
18th the boy. He win get 30 tired of '
caring the old stereotyped edition Of
aving, that he will look for other means q
nd to other people Tor what is so evil {
emily disagreeable to you. In other {
lords you will drive him from you and I
he time will surely come, " hen he will I
espise you for the way you have treated !
i'm.
Be companion to your boy. Be his I
laymate, his chum, his councillor and his e
lend; let him teel that bis interests and b
leasures, his troubles and trials: in fact Y
I that concerns him is equally yours, il
nd you will find q greater gain than I
oney at ten per cent. In description q
a boy aud his desires, sturdy old YER Il
onter gave the following IA boy il
ants first dog, then gun, then an old ID
Idle. " This is largely true although p