The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1878-06-20
Polishing CAIf-Skin.

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 law office at
KokUm0, Ind, to fit him tor admission
to the bar, after which he Immediately
came to New York, and tried to get into
practice. Unfortunately tor Mr.. Garth
man, he discovered that there were al
ready 5000 lawyers iii this city, all
trying to get into practice, and there was
about as much chance for him aa being
elected to the presidency. Office rent
and board bills soon consumed the little
means he had and he was at the end oi
his string AZ he was Il 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 starve to death great
many times before he could reach even
the lowest of the said upper shelves. So
he determined to quit law and try some.
thing else He was sensible young
man, ard so he did not
Ask for the management of manu-
featuring corporation.
Apply ior the position of actuary in a
life insurance company.
Ask for the presidency of the board OF
education.
Ask for the managing editorship of a
daily paper.
Apply tor the cashiership of IL bank, or
anything of the kind.
Dut he did find something he could
do. Down in one of the streets close to
Wall, under tine sidewalk of popular
restaurant, he noticed a light, clean,
open space that was unoccupied. He
went to the proprietor OF the restaurant
and took that place at nominal rent,
and, promptly pawning his ulster to
produce stock, opened business there as
a boOtblack
As matter of course he did not wish
to be known ss a polisher of boots up
| town, for he Was living in rather exclu.
sive boarding house, to which only the
most respectable were admitted, 1t was
no trouble to conceal bis identity. Some
old clothes, a smutch of black artistically
placed on his face, his pantaloons ia his
boots, and no human being could recog.
nize in Garthman, bootblack, the fash.
ionable and elegant Mr.. Garthman, OF
| Twenty first street.
His venture was entirely successful
He was something of wit in his way
and entertained hi1 patrons judiciously
while he polished their boots. And then
there was something about him which
attracted the young brokers who ire
quented the restaurant, and he entered
upon career of prosperity that wa'
delightful. His earnings frequently rar
AS high as six dollars day, and his busi
ness in two weeRs increased 80 that he
had to employ an ass stant.
His changed condition attracted at
tention at his clearinghouse. 1t haC
become well known that he had been i'm
pecunious, and now the fact that he ha'
better clothes and was again carrying hi
watch, and paid all his bills promptly
led to much comment.
Had he abandoned law? Yes, and gon
into business. What business Polish
ing calt-skin. And he was congratulate
at his success, and became very pOpula
Young man, and was received into tn
very best clearinghouse society.
NUaa 10 ,~n.uihla thot o unnru man l,b
John L. Garthman should go throug
life without love7 Never In the sam
house resided an old gentleman, a mel
chant who knew just when to quit, wh
with his daughter occupied the best spar
ments in this house. Lille Pickhsn
the daughter, was delightful girl, an
Ga,thman and she became very much a
tached to each other, and there was
decent prospect that in time they woul
make up their minds to 90 through Ii
together. But Garthman had, as wi
. has not had, a hated rival. A broke
/. named Bathurst, who lived at the san
r house, had cast his eyes upon the gin
and inhamed by her excelloncies as We
i AZ the comfortable fortune she was gu
= to possess, determined TO possess he
!. Lille favored Garthman, and the faith
J. favored Bathurst, and so it was about
|. even race between them.
!. Bathurst did not believe in Mr.. Cart
7. mans business, for there was somethiI
Il mysterious about it. Garthman, whit
y asked where his place Of business wa
% had always replied vaguely, "DoV