The Osceola times., 1878-06-15
Polishing Calf-Skin.

Two years ago John IL. Garthmdn, CT
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
KOkOme, Ind to fit him for admission
10 the bar, after which he Immediately
came TO New York, and tried TO get into
practice. Unfortunately for Mr.. Garth.
man, he discovered that there were al.
ready 5000 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 ne had and he WAS at the end Of
his string. As he was month in arrears,
his lsndlady 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, il would require a 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 a sensible young
man, a,d so he did not
Ask for the management of manu-
featuring corporation.
Apply ior the position of sctuary in a
lie insurance company.
Ask for the presidency of the board of
education.
Ask for the managing editorship OF a
daily paper.
Apply for the cashiership of bank, or
anything of the kind.
But he did find something he could
do. Down in one of the streets close to
Wall, under the sidewalk of popular
restaurant, he noticed light clean,
open space that was unoccupied. He
went TO the proprietor of the restaurant
aud 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 as polisher OF boots up
town, for he was living in rather exclu.
siye boarding house, TO which only the
most respectable were admitted. 1t was
no trouble to conceal bis identity. Some
old clothes, smutch of black artistically
placed on his face, his pantaloons in his
boots, and no human being could recog
nize in Garthman, bootblack, the fash
ionable and elegant Mr.. Garthman, OF
Twenty first street.
r,l, Il
He WAS something of wit in his way.
and entertained bis patrons iudiciously,
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 a career ct prosperity that was
delightful. His earnings frequently ran
as high a. six dollars day, and his busi.
nsss in two wccSs increased 80 that he
had to employ an ass staut.
His changed condition attracted at
tention at his clearinghouse. 1t had
become well 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 promptly,
led to much comment.
Had he abandoned law? Yes, and gone
into business, What business Polish.
ing calt-skin. And he was congratulated
at his success, and became very popular
Young man, and was received into the
very best clearinghouse society.
Was it possible that young man like
John l. Gsrthman should 90 through
life without love? Never In the same
housa resided an old gentleman, mer>
chant who knew Just when to quit, whe
with his daughter the best apart
ments in this house Lille Pickhsm,
the daughter, was a delightful girl, and
Gaithman and she became very much at.
tached to each other, and there was a
decent prospect that in time they would
make up their minds TO go through life
together. But Garthman had, as who
has not had, a hated rival. A broker
named Bathurst, who lived AT the same
house, had cast his eyes upon the girl,
and indamed by her excellencies ~ we'll
IA the comfortable fortune she was sure
TO possess, determined 10 possess her.
Lille favored Garthman, and the father
favored Bathurst, and so it was about an
even race between them.
Bathurst did not believe in Mr.. Garth
mans business, fer there was something
mysterious about it. Gsrthman, when
asked where his place of business was,
had always replied vaguely, Down