Reflections
“He’s not what you’d call work brickle!” was a phrase I heard in my youth; it describes one “not prone to industry.” It was the death knell for one’s opportunities for summer employment if used about you. Was right up there with “stranger to hard work.”
Being able and willing to “do a good day’s work” was a fine accolade back then. One who worked “can’t see to can’t see” someone admired. I was reared on such phrases as “if you’re fifteen minutes early, you’re on time. If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re late, you’re fired.” Encouragements such as “fill the heel of the shovel; let the toe take care of itself.”
We all had summer jobs pretty early in our youth. This of course on top of our chores. We loaded hay for a nickel a bale; drove for a penny if really young. Many the hayfield truck driver that couldn’t reach the pedals; sat on pillows to see over the dash.
The truck was placed in low, or “granny” gear, and just idled through the field. One of the loaders would quickly hop in the cab if the truck had to be stopped suddenly or when the bed was eventually filled.
We hauled cordwood and pine poles. Hosteled canoes on my end of the Upper Current. Maybe even “tailed a mill” if old enough; this being the guy that stacked the end product coming off the head-saw---slabs, boards and railroad ties all.
Most everything was piece-work. One wasn’t rewarded for effort, but solely for results. One learned to work quick, but careful. Such occupations wouldn’t tolerate much of an injury. We knew how to care for equipment. Most of what we worked with had been worn out two owners ago. We checked the oil in engines every morning because as a general rule more was needed.
In recent years I’ve heard some brag about how young they were when they “got their check.” Boasting of claimed disabilities that would provide them with a free ride from now on. Such attitudes would have made one a pariah in my youth; at least among the crowd with which I ran.
Labor was admired; a top virtue at the time. Had been that way for a while. John Locke wrote “All wealth is the product or labor.” Ralph Waldo Emerson “Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing.” One of my favorite leaders, Theodore Roosevelt, stated that “It is only through labor and painful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.”
Since 1887, we have celebrated labor and the workers that accomplish it. The first Monday of each September we have set aside to do so. We barbecue, celebrate the end of summer and buy sheets and pillowcases on sale. We take that “one last summer vacation.”
I have always been fortunate in that I enjoyed working. Especially for myself. Splitting wood. Gardening. Hauling hay (more so when much younger). Even a bit of carpentry. I have always enjoyed the company, even if briefly, of someone happy with their job. Smiling while making my meal or pouring my drink.
I appreciate someone good at what they do; those that take pride in “a job well done.” From putting in stitches to serving up fried fish. I have learned to avoid those that spend more time getting out of work than the work itself would have taken.
“The labourer is worthy of his reward.” Let’s see they get it. Thanks for joining us!
