360 THE CHARACTER OF STABLE SERVANTS. 



their services would command were they absolutely reliable, 

 the condition of those who have it in their power to offer 

 this attraction would be greatly improved in every way, 

 especially in the amount of their wages. If a man is only 

 willing to do his work under compulsion or the constant fear 

 of dismissal, an employer who is about to be absent from 

 home for some time discharges his man, sells or turns his 

 horses out rather than leave his stable in the hands of a ser- 

 vant who would take advantage of his absence. Reliable 

 men are retained under similar circumstances and are given 

 an opportunity to enjoy a partial vacation. Special stress 

 has been laid upon the virtue of reliableness, as it sometimes 

 happens that when the value is pointed out a servant has the 

 good sense to profit by it. 



Servants who creditably represent their vocation will be 

 respected by all sensible men, but those who assume positions 

 for which they are unqualified must be considered as would 

 be any other impostors. 



Good servants should realize that their knowledge and 

 habits determine the extent of their breadwinning powers; 

 and that a few years under a master who does not afford 

 them the opportunities of thoroughly doing their work or 

 who allows them to fall into bad ways, reduce their earning 

 capacity and in many instances absolutely ruin them. The 

 temptations are great for the servant of a rich master to 

 accept the bribes that are constantly offered to him, to neg- 

 lect the work and be away from the stable the greater part 

 of the day or night when he knows that his absence will not 

 be noticed. In the long run, a servant who is self-respecting 

 and has sufficient good sense to withstand such temptations, 

 and refrains from the assumptions and manners that make 



