APPRENTICESHIP, in law, a con tract by which a person who understands some art, trade, or business, and called master, undertakes to teach the same to another person, commonly a minor, am" called the apprentice, who, on his part, is bound to serve the master, during a definite period of time, in such art, trade, or business. At common law, an infant may bind himself apprentice by indenture, because it is for his benefit. But this contract, on account of its lia bility to abuse, has been regulated by statute in the United States, and is not binding upon the infant unless entered into by him with the consent of the parent or guardian, or by the parent or guardian for him, with his consent. The contract need not specify the particular trade to be taught, but is sufficient if it be a contract to teach such manual occu pation or branch of business as shall be found best suited to the genius or ca pacity of the apprentice. This contract must generally be entered into by inden ture or deed. The master must not abuse his authority, either by bad treatment, or by subjecting his apprentice to menial employments unconnected with the busi ness he has to learn; but he may correct him with moderation for negligence and misbehavior. He cannot dismiss his ap
prentice except by consent of all the par ties to the indenture. He cannot remove the apprentice out of the State under the laws of which he was apprenticed, unless such removal is provided for in the con tract, or may be implied in its nature; and if he do so remove him, the contract ceases to be obligatory. An infant ap prentice is not capable in law of consent ing to his own discharge. After the ap prenticeship is at an end, the master cannot retain the apprentice on the ground that he has not fulfilled his con tract, unless especially authorized by statute. An apprentice is bound to obey his master in all his lawful commands, take care of his property, and promote his interests, endeavor to learn his trade or business, and perform all the coven ants in his indenture not contrary to law. He must not leave his master's service during the term of the apprenticeship.