A builder in Tennessee had such a reputation for stinginess that the Federal Wage and Hour Administration sent an agent to investigate his tactics.

'I've been told,' the agent said to the builder, 'that you are violating the law by paying below the minimum wage.'

'You have, eh?' the builder retorted. 'Well let's see.'

'There's Jake, who mixes concrete and listens to rock and roll music most of the day. He gets $400 a week. Then there's Hannah, who's supposed to do the books but she reads love stories and files her nails most of the time. She gets $350 And there's my son, Matt, who practices shooting hoops and drives my truck all over town. He gets $250.'

'Nothing wrong with that,' admitted the government man. 'Anybody else to tell us about?'

'Just the half-wit,' mused the builder. 'He works 18 hours a day and sometimes doesn't get paid at all.'

'Just as I thought!' said the agent. 'I'd like to speak to him.'

'You're looking at him,' said the builder.