Good Work Ethics

My favorite restaurant is Colonial Café & Ice Cream in St. Charles, Illinois.  Mostly it is my favorite because of sentimental memories. We are not able to eat there very often since we live far away now, but it is great when we can go.

I just finished reading their 50th anniversary book about the history of the company from 1901 to 2001 which was begun by Simon Anderson as a dairy and eventually into the cafés they are now. (There are more cafés than just my favorite one on North Ave in St. Charles.)

It was an interesting history for me, but the one thing I wanted to share are the rules for milk delivery employees.  As Christians a good work ethic is very important.  We should be a shining light over our culture which seems to only think of themselves. This text appears on the back of a route book carried in 1917 by the Route One driver for Anderson Pure Milk company.

RULES TO BE OBSERVED

1. ACCIDENTS: Report at once to office. Get names of witnesses and if with a Street Car No. of Car, etc.

2. Drivers after accepting routes, will be held responsible for same and will have to make good on mistakes make by their own carelessness. If drivers give attention to business and have an understanding at all times with customers, they cannot dispute their accounts. Any man can deliver milk and a good man makes his collections and keeps his books and accounts straight.

3. Smoking is positively prohibited while on the wagon or in dairy and men who cannot keep away from Saloons while on duty except when delivery mild, are not wanted in the employ of this Company.

4. Men should be neat in their appearance. They should keep their lanterns clean, and the glass and the inside of wagons clean.

5. It is as important to collect empty bottles, as it is to leave milk. They cost money.

6. Be a gentleman at all times. Don’t waste time with one customer and neglect the others and be on hand when the customer promises to pay. Don’t try to make up waste (sic) time with the horse. Remember the horse can’t complain.

7. Receipt for all money received, save trouble and your own reputation and remember the old motto: “An honest man is the noblest work of God.”

8. No money to be paid a driver for the time spent in learning a route unless he remains 60 days.

9. Commissions will be held 14 days after driver quits or is discharged to allow us time to check up the route.

10. All lines and lanterns must be put in barns every night to avoid being stolen~otherwise driver will have to pay for loss. 

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the LORD rather than for men, knowing that from the LORD you will receive  the reward of the inheritance.  It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."      Colossians 3:23-24