324 TYPES OF STABLE SERVANTS. 



and the hapless body of once capable men who, owing to 

 drunkenness or some equally serious vice, have fallen from 

 grace. 



The members of this class are either unreliable and of 

 indifferent habits or careless about their work and appear- 

 ance. These are the men who " know it all " and who most 

 stubbornly resent any interference. They are the most 

 varying in ability and character and are usually of a roving 

 disposition, partially enforced by their inability and in some 

 measure due to a desire to avoid steady work. Such servants 

 are only fit for stables maintained for hard and rough service, 

 /. e., station work, etc. Representatives of this class form 

 nine tenths of the applicants for places as coachmen or 

 grooms, and are the most undesirable, as they are up to all 

 the tricks of the trade, — and there are many of them. 

 These men ask from forty to fifty dollars a month, but are 

 usually willing to take, what they are worth, less. A bed- 

 room in the stable or house is expected, but the man pro- 

 vides his board. 



The next class, though not the best in point of excellence, 

 is the one which the writer strongly advises the reader who 

 has in contemplation the possession of from one to three 

 horses to draw his servant. These men take situations in 

 small stables because through some failing, usually a want of 

 executive ability or inexperience, they are incapable of filling 

 more responsible positions. It is advisable to guard against 

 the commission of oversights resulting from " lack of head " 

 by employing a servant so thoroughly trained that he does 

 by force of habit what he should be prompted to do by in- 

 stinct and judgment. The men of this class are usually 

 sober and industrious. They value a good place and often 



