HANDYMAN
The calling of handyman is commoner in the country than in the town where tradesmen naturally congregate and, of course, there are handymen and handymen. One can make a fair job of patching a thatch or replacing A slate and another can hardly be trusted to put in a row of peas or draw a fowl. One I met the other day listed all the jobs he had done in his time and was more than proud of his way with obstinate septic tanks. These, he insisted, required more than a passing knowledge of 'back- terials.' His father too, had followed the same calling and had been much sought after as a doctor of cats and a scraper of pigs as well as chimney sweep. Today the sweep is more mobile, but in the old days farms and cottages often had their flues brushed by whoever cared to try his hand. The old handy- man in this case, I was told, preferred to sweep chimneys where hens were kept. It was a very simple operation too. The most active rooster was selected and a cord fastened to his feet. The bird was taken' aloft and the rope lowered down the stack. The flapping of his wings as he was pulled down did all that was necessary. Presumably a black rooster was favourite for the job!
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