Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-10-17
POLISHING CALF-SKIN.
How a New York Lawyer Worked his
Way TO AfllueDce.
New York Evening Mail. ]

New York Evening NALL
Two years ago John L. Garth
man, of Lewiston, Me, graduated
with honors at Yale. AS during
his years in college he had, in ad-
dition to his regular studies, read
law with an attorney of New Haven,
it only required year in a law Of
fec at Kokomo, Ind, TO fit him for
admission to the bar, after which
he Immediately came to New York
and tried to get into practice. I'm
fortunately for Mr.. Garthman, he
discovered that there were already
6000 lawyers in this city, all trying
to get into practice, and there was
about as much chance for him as
being elected to the presidency.
Office rent and board bills soon
consumed the little means he had
and he was at the end of his string.
AS he was a month in arrears, his
landlady commenced to regard him
with looks not altogether pleasant,
and the prompt landlord 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 starye to death a great
many times before he could reach
even the lowest of the said upper
shelves. So he determined to quit
law and try something else. He
was sensible young man, and SC
be did not
Ask for the management Of {
manufacturing corporation.
= Apply for the position of actuary
: in life insurance company.
Ask for the presidency of tht
f board of education.
E Ask for the managing editorshiI
of a daily paper.
Apply for the cashiership Of
g bank, or anything of the kind.
But he did find something b
e could do. Down in one of tn
streets close to Wall, under th
sidewalk Of a popular restaurant
;. he noticed light, clean, ope
3 space that was unoccupied. HI
n went to the proprietor Of the rei
tanrant aud took that place at
nominal rent, and promptly pawn
ing his ulster to produce stock
! opened business as a bootblack! F.!
J. AS a matter of course he did nc
d wish to be known as polisher G
p boots up town, for he was living il
a rather exclusive boarding. house
/ to which only the most respectabl
g were admitted. 1t was no troubl
ot to conceal his identity. Some oil
k clothes, a smutch of black artist
! cally placed on his face, his pant3
looms IN his boots, and no huma
/ being could recognize in GarthmaI
RS bootblack, the fashionable and Ell,
10 giant Mr.. Garthman, of Twent
,r first street.
!. His venture was entirely success
! full. He was something Of wit
K his way, and entertained his patron
r judiciously, while he polished the
boots. And then there was some
thing about him which attlacte
as the young brokers who frequente
"a the restaurant, and he entered upo
. a career Of prosperity that was d.
. lightful. His earnings frequent
80 ran as high as six dollars a day, an
ir his business in two weeks increase
IN so that he had to employ an assis
!. ant.
III Ills changed condition attraote
- attention at the boarding,house.
o. had become well known that he ha
e- been impeounious, and now the fa
ut that he had better clothes and wa
- again carrying his watch, and pai
1' all his bills promptly, led to muC
er comment.
Had he abandoned law2 Ye
OF and gone into business. VIII
de business Polishing calf-skin. Ar
IN he was congratulated at his success
: and became a very popular your
y man, and was received into the vel
ed beet clearinghouse society.
h. VAST possible that young ma
We like John j. Garthman should s
NJ through life without loveY Neye
-, In the same house resided an o
'or gentleman a merchant who kne
en- just when to quit, who vii
de his daughter, occupied Il
OesJ apartments IN TINS nous
Lille Pickham, the daughter, W
Idsla delightful girl and Garthm,
iae aud she became very mpch attach,
to each other, and there was o d
'lu cent prospect that in time tn
70 would make up their minds to
do through life together. But Cart
ng man had, as who has NOT had,
in hated rival. A broker named Bat
y urst, who lived at the same hous
: ~ had cast his eyes upon the girl, al
le- inhamed 10y her excellences Ss w
Ids as the comfortable fortune she W
sure to possess, determined to pc
sess her. Lille favored Garthma
land tho father favored Bathnr