The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-03-27
A PROPER YOUNG MAN.
How Rn EnterprisinG and sensible Youns
Man Made His Way in New York, and
Despite Hts Humble Employment, Al.
tanned Position.


Two years ago, John L. Garthman, Of
Lewiston, Me-, graduated with honors
at Yale. As during his years in college
he had, in addition to his regular studies,
read law with an attorney of New Haven,
it only required year in a law Office, in
Kokomo, Ind, to fit him for admission
to the bar, after which he Immediately
came to New York, and tried very hard
to get into practice. Unfortunately for
Mr.. Garthman, he discovered that there
were already six thousand lawyers in
this city, all trying to get into practice,
and there was about as much chance for
him as for being elected to the Presi-
dency. Office rent and board bills soon
consumed the little means he had, and be
was at the end Of his string. AS he was
a month in arrears, his landlady COM
menced to regard him with looks not
altogether pleasant, and the brutal bond
holder who owned the office he occupied
notified him to pay or get out. Mr..
Garthman discovered that while there
was plenty of room on the upper shelves
it would require great many years OF
climbing, and that he would probably
starve to death great many times be-
fore he could reach even the lowest of
the said upper shelves. So he deter
mined to quit law and try something
else. He was a sensible young man, and
SO he did not write for the newspapers,
ask for the management Of manufac-
turing corporation, apply for position
of aetuary in life insurance company,
ask for presidency of the board of edu-
cation, ask for the managing editorship
of daily paper, apply for cashiership
of bank or anything of the kind. But
he did find something he was fit for.
Down in one of the streets close by Wall,
in the underline e-sidewalk of popular
restaurant, he noticed light, clean,
open space that was unoccupied. He
went to the proprietor of the restaurant
and took that space at nominal rent,
and promptly pawning his ulster to pro-
cure stock, opened business there as a
boot black
As matter of course he did not desire
to be known as polisher of boots up
town, for he was living in rather ex ,lu-
sive boarding house, to which only the
most respectable were admitted. 1t was
no trouble to conceal his identity. Some
old clothes, smutch of black artistical-
ly placed on his face, his pantaloons in
his boots, and no human being could re-
cognize in Garthman, bootblack, the
fashionable and even elegant Mr.. Garth
man of Twenty-frst street.
His venture was entirely successful.
He was something of a wit in his way,
and entertained his patrons judiciously,
while he polished their boots. And then
there was something about him which
attracted the young brokers who fire.
quented the restaurant, and he entered
upon career of prosperity that was de-
lightful. His earnings frequently ran
as high as six dollars day, and his bust
ness in two weeks increased so that he
had to employ an assistant.
His changed condition attracted atten.
tion at his boarding house. It had be.
come we'll known that he had been i'm
pecunious, and now the fact that he had
better clothes and was again carrying
his watch, and paid all his bills prompt
ly, led to much comment.
Had he abandoned law? Yes, and
gone into business. What business
Polishing calf skin. And he was con
graduated at his success, and became {
very popular young man, and was re
ceived into the very best boarding house
society.
Was it possible that q young man like
John L. Garthman should go through
life without love? Never In the sam,
house resided an old gentleman, a mer
chant who knew just when to quit, who
with his daughter occupied the bes
apartments in the house. Lille Pick
ham, the daughter, was delightful
girl, and Garthman and she became yer,
much attached to each other, and ther,
was q decent prospect that in time the,
would make up their minds to g.
through life together. But Garthma,
had, as who has not, hated rival. 4
broker named Bathurst, who lived at tn
same house, had cast his eyes upol
the girl, and infamed by her excellen
cies as we'll as the comfortable fortun
she was sure to possess, determined t.
possess her. Lille favored Garth mai
and the father favored Bathurst, and 81
it was about an even race between them
Barthman did not believe in Mr.
Garthman's business, for there wa
something queer about it. Garthman
when asked where his place of bushes
was, had'always replied vaguely, "dowl
town." with sweep of the hand tina
took in all the lower part of the city
Bathurst had searched all the directo
ries for information in vain. No sucl
name appeared, and no such busines
either. And SO he piled the old gentle
man with suspicious, intimating tina
probably the young man was dealer i
faro bank, a smuggler, policy dealer
and all that, till both he and Lille wer
nearly crazy. Finally the following cor
versation ensued:
"Mr. Garthman, insist, before 20
are seen with my daughter any more
upon knowing who you are, and whi
you are doing, and where you are doin
it?"
"Mr. Pickham, I am John l.. Gartl
man. I earn money enough to suppol
your daughter properly, and for the res