The union Democrat., 1869-04-03
The Eoo,-.siacks OF san Francisco.

Boo;-blacks are recognized throughout the
civilized world as necessary appendages of
the nine,eensh century. On the European
continent they thrive. but In no country do
they assert ami maintain their rights and
prerogatives as class-intent on rendering
public service-as they do in America and
IN no city in America do thew form SO dis
tinct u type of the working community and
| lay claims 70 the magnitude of a separate
branch of trade. as in San Francisco. In
New York and the larger cities of the East,
the boot-black is young Arab, wandering
1 through the streets with his box upon his
arm, attacking the feet and corralliug the
legs of every pedestrian whose pedals war
rant al assault demanding 20 stimulated or
time-honored, remuneration for his services,
but rather relying upon the generosity and
warmth of heart his "shine" is supposed to
fproduce. BLACK yer buteS black yer
butes !" is their war-cry aud through all
hours Of the day and far into the dusk, when
twilight chants Its vesper service for the dy-
ing day, it is heard ringing through the tho
roughfares, causing the eyes of men involun-
rarily to glance at their eXtremeties In the
Eastern cities he occupies the lowest step
upon the ladder of humanity, and, though
free and independent, allowing none to trihe
with his position, humble as it may be, as
manhood creeps upon him, Transforming the
tadpole into a full-grown specimen of the
genus homo, he drops his brush and box to
seize some higher round of the ladder, often
through the invigorating atmosphere OF a
| democratic society, raising himself to the
topmost round. But in San Francisco it is
different. Here the boot-black becomes an
artisan, and, by devotion to his craft and an
unvarving selfrespect, commands that of 9TH
ers. The Arab proclvities of the East are
| here forgotten, and settled business, in
which some capital finds place, supersedes it.
| Age adds its lustre to the art, aud manhood S
prime develops itself upon the shiny leather.
| His place of business sometimes consists SIM
ply OF seat for the accommodation of his
patrons, but more often it reaches the majes-
tic proportions of a room or saloon, fitted up
with easy chairs, in which to recline, and
looking-glasses, whisps, combs, brushes to
polish the outer man, while newspapers aud
periodicals lie near at hand, with which to
/ beguile the luxurious moments as they pass,
while all sense is soothed into a dreamy, de-
licous slumber by the gentle pass and coun-
ter-pass CT the bris les as they swiftly and
| lightly touSl upon your boots.
| The boot-black Of San Francisco is a trades.
man, and seeks, by application and devotion
to his art, to develop the highest perfection
| 1t is with him no precarious resource, but a
steady and lucrative one. There is q
young man in this city, VINO, through bis
energetic use of the brush. has earned suf-
cient to bring his relatives, some four in
number. from their Eastern home to the sun
ny hills of the Golden State, and has still re-
manning bank account that many well-to-do
professional men might envy. Another
plumeS himself apon the skillful and artistic
manner in which he manipulates. and TO this
effect has attached silver letters to the belt
that encirc,es his waist, proclaiming him
champion of the profession. Another former
| " of New York, his old stand having been in
| front Of Trinity Building, in that city. several
years ago came to San Francisco. and by strict
Ttrugality and industry saved sufficient means
to recently take himself and family on a
tour through Europe. returning but short
time since to San Francisco, where he at
present continues to make glad the heart of
man with his shining genius, and attend to q
property of several thousand dollars that Eas
accumulated on his hands.
There was more than a joke in the pract-
cal advice of a sharper, who recently adver-
tised t. place any one in possession OF secret
! how to make fortune. for twenty-five
cents" and replied to his correspondents
Get blacking-brush and box and 90 to
work. y
The San Francisco boot-back is thorough
democrat and allows no arstocratic airs from
his patrons. He treats all with respect and
| demands reciprocity. As more extensive
branches of trade have their fluctuations,
their good seasons and their Tad ones, their
spring trade and fall trade, SO does he feel
the changes incident up n the varying sea-
sons. The dry clear weather OF summer pre-
serves his handiwork, and renders frequent
polishing unnecessary; but the damps OF
winter. the rain interspersed with bright
smiles of sunshine that tempts US to the ex.
travagance ofremedying the devastation that
mud and wet have wrought upon the glossy
leather, bring bis services into high demand.
Yet he steadily pursues his occupation, and
with business integrity, that men who deal
more extensively with the public might imi-
tate, refrains from taking advantage Of the
ills to which humanity is heir, and Furnishes
away at his settled prices. +. Herald.