Bradford Lad: Harsh Lessons
Mike Coatesworth recalls the harsh lessons he received when he went out as a Boy Scout, seeking work during bob-a-job week.
When I was a lad I joined the Boy Scouts and wore the uniform, including that Mountie-style hat. I enjoyed every minute of my time in the Scouts. During bob-a-job week I went from house to house, asking for work. Sometimes I was given a bob, a shilling, for the work I did, but sometimes I got more than that.
A friend and I knocked on a door one day. "Bob a job mister?'' I asked the man who anwered the knock. He looked us up and down, examining our uniforms and identification cards. "Sure,'' he said, leading us round to his back garden. "Clear that lot.''
His garden was a mess, but it was a fine warm day and a job was a job, so we got stuck in. At least I did. The lad who was with me was not at all enthusiastic when he saw how much work had to be done, and cleared off.
Soon I was sweating profusely, hoping the chap who had set me on would come out with a glass of pop. No such luck. Instead I thought about the extra money I would receive for tackling such a big job. First I cleared all the rubbish, piling it in a corner as I had been requested to do. Then I moved the stones and branches before cutting the grass. I worked for some hours. The end result wasn't brilliant, but the garden looked a lot better than when I had started.
Dirty and dishevelled, I knocked at the man’s door and told him that I had completed the task. He took my collection card, leaving me on the doorstep while he went into the house. After five minutes he re-emerged, handed me my card which he had signed, then gave me a bob, all in halfpennies.
All that work, and he had only given me a shilling!
He noticed the disappointed look on my face. Then he said what he had given me was worth far more than a bob. He had given me a valuable lesson. Before doing any work I should find out what the pay was. If I thought the job was worth more than what had been offered I should say so before beginning work.
Then he put his hand in his pocket and pulled out another coin, saying "Here, this is for you.''
Smiling, I held out my hand. Another half-penny was dropped into it.
"And that's another lesson,'' said the man. "I short-changed you. I gave you eleven-pence-halfpenny. Always make sure you have been given the right amount.''
I could hear him laughing as I walked away.
