95 miles NW of Quitaque, TX | It was fall 1982. I had just gotten married, then had to get a job. (long story) I had interviewed for a job. I thought I had a good chance. My wife found a notice on the wall at WT in Canyon. It was cool, I guess 80 degrees. I went and helped put the hay on the farmer's pickup and load into his shed. Probably worked 30 minutes. He gave me $20, 5 cantaloupes and a small watermelon. I was probably prouder of the cantaloupes than the $20. Easy work. Then my wife found me a job driving a tractor. The farmer put me in a almost could smell the new 4440. Radio worked, glass windows were still place AND the AC worked. That tractor was so much quieter than the 4020 that dad had welded a 2 inch pipe when the muffler rusted out.
I drove that tractor for 78 hours that week. He paid me and gave me a 25 cent raise. I made $5 for each hour of working. I thought it was pretty good that I worked all day and got off the tractor and was not dirty, sweaty and tired. I was rich.
How things have changed since 1982. |
Hay Help Wage
