Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-11

SO many improvements OF magnitude
are being made in the Bluff City that only
something unusual strikes the eve or oc-
casions even a passing remark. Our peo-
pie have become so accustomed 10 the
immense that the little is overlooked. But
after all it is the little things which enter
into daily life that rounds up the character
and by their continued influence gradually
changes ropes of sand into bars of steel
and fits men for the great achievements
which dignity and snnoble the human
race. Some little things In life, however
do not mold character but merely illus
trate innate self admiration as well as
torceof habit. One Of such little things,
~ Its prominence IN o. popular place, en-
forces attention Of the student. of human
nature. and that Is the large mirror that
Tor a dozen years past has graced the Cigar
store Of Sol Coleman. Few OF those who
wear bifurcated garments In this city have
not enjoyed the faithful and lifelike pre-
sentiment Of their precious selves reflected
from its polished surface. Forgenerations
efforts have been made BY the animal man
to create the impression that only the softer
and gentler sex linger fondlyat the looking
glass to admire natures handiwork by,
tracing their delicate and refined Inca
ments in its forms of grace and beauty
and seeing reflected from its polished sur
face that purity and goodness so generally
characteristic Of those who were created
only little lower than ~ angels.
If this mirror could play the part of a
tell-tale, very different state Of affairs.
founded upon truth and its own obserya.
tion would be disclosed. 1t would first
make the broad assertion that the sterner
sex looked in mirror as often and with
rs much self-complaisance and admiration
as any belle in the city. Though man in
his assumed role of Master of theUniyerse
affected to despise soft features and a
handsome appearance except in the other
sex, yet down in his inncrmost nature
there was vanity and pride as deep as q
we'll and wide as church door,
1t would furthermore itemize particu-
lars and not depend upon asserting gener-
alities. 1t would first relate that the most
frequent observer in this mirror (be-
cause the principal buyer of fine
cigars at Sol Coleman'sl was
the young man about town who, what
ever his hurry of business, always looked
to see whether he was presentable should
ne accidentally meet upon the street that
Individual young lady who, whether she
knew 1t or not, owned in fee simple all
right and title to that which by euphoni-
GUS parlance is called his heart. But
should the young man in the evening
drop in the store for cigars on his way to
the residence of the fair one, he would
silently but critically make an inspection
of his exterior appearance in the glass
with skill begotten of long practice.
Notwithstanding he was fresh from the
hands of stylish barber, whose keen
razors, powder and p0matum had been
used skillfully to cover 10 defects or to
enhance beauties.
But Sol occasionally enjoyed visits from
the young ladies who called to purchase
a meerschaum pipe or q box of cigars as A
present for friend, and these also gem
orally gave passing glance at the familiar
mirror.
Occasionally bright little girls rushed
into his store like an unexpected ray of
sunshine, to beg picture cards, and they,
too, saw their joyous faces reflected,
though their hearts were too full of hap
piness to care about their appearance.
1t would be sad, if it were not comical,
to see the stolen, furtive side chances given
the mirror by that unhappy individual
who has recently discovered the gray sup
planting the black or red, and the first
crows feet making themselves visible
around the eyes. The sun on his dial OF
life throws the shadow in the wrong di.
rection for him, and he does not linger to
note times ravages.
Even the boot black, who lights the
stump of cigar just fshed out of the
gutter, would give glance at the glass
with dew l-may-care look characteristic
of the mackerel and the street arab.
But the old glass, after years of service
in which it faithfully reAaqted everything
in It's range, win be sold off with all
other furniture and moveables
to be supplanted by something more
elegant for Soils new cigar palace, BIG
Main street.
The old mirror Is representative type
Of its owner. Its polished surface is en-
blematical of the courteous department of
the whole souled proprietor. Its truthful
representations of everything in its range
is likewise emblematical of his truthful
representations about all his goods. In
these respects the new mirror in the new
store will not differ from the old.
Some of Soils customers have looked in
this glass almost daily for dozen wears.
1t is believed that they will look in the
new one for years TO come, and it is hoped
that In their patronage they will be Joined
by countless throng who will change the
pictures reflected in the glass as rapidly as
a child changes the colors and forms in a
revolving kaleidoscope.