The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-28
"Have a Shine. sir?"
, Fditor Of the Indianapolis Journar

To the Editor of the Indianapolis Journar
| had my boots BACKED this morning. This
may not be regarded as an item of news, but
it is nevertheless positive fact. The work
was accomplished at tine Market-street cor
ner of the postofice. | will tell you all about
it, because think it will do some good. All
great reforms grow out of small beginnings,
and right here, l candidly admit, 1 have un-
dertaken reform. and one of no little inn
portance, as YOU will perceive by the follow
ing
About 9 o'clock | hailed one OF the
SINNERS" He was alone meandering along
swinging his box around in all absent-mind-
ed sort of way that indicated his utter indif-
ference of the result of the telegraphers
strike and other matters OF national import
ance. The moment he sighted the Job he set
sail, and in less time than it takes to write
this, he was in a reverential position before
your correspondent brush in hand and at
work. | admired the boys promptness, and
to pass the time away turned my attention
TO a letter | had just received | had scarce
ly finished the first sentence, when glancing
up l noticed three other "shners"
who had taken their places in a sort of semi
circle. | felt somewhat annoyed at the in
was not long until the boy who had the
contract raped on the box indicating he
had finished one shoe. My attention was
again attracted to the boys who stood
around. How they had multiplied and
where they came from was a question l
could not understand. No less than dozen
OF the raggedest urchins in the city had
Joined the circle, and each particular booty"
had his eyes rivetsd on the Job. / could
scarcely get my breath, and the poor lad on
his knees had scarcely elbow room. 1 said
nothing. l knew better. | fully appreciated
my audience, and wisely assumed an air of
Indifference. Every moment added to the
fhrong, and before l got away upward of
twenty boys and boxes had hemmed me in.
OF course the crowd attracted the attention
of the passers-by, and for once in my life
ryas a bigger man than Grant. Ladies smiled,
and several men actually stopped and
gazed at me in astonishment. Now,
Mir Editor. am naturally of
a timid, retiring nature, and felt indignant.
Bushes of confusion mantled my cheek, and
supreme embarrassment played hide-and-
seek all over my anatomy. If God will for
give me this time l will never get my boots
olacked again. ] will sacrifice my lady's
good opinion before l will ever go through
the terrible ordeal agsin-that is, l will
never, no never, employ an Indianapolis
street boot-black. ! like the boys and would
ne pleased to give them employment but
am not circus nor a baseball nine, and l
cant appreciate conspicuous position, and
/ swear | won't satisfy morbid curiosity. In
Cincinnatr and other cities the boot-blacks
have a code of ethics that would never toler-
ate such an exhibition, and they have all the
work they can do. No one but a stranger
will patronize the street "booties' here, and
they will never do it but once. Men would
rather pay 10 cents and go to barber-shor
" hotel than pay cents and be made Il