Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-07-20
BOUND TO SUCCEED.
The Story Of the Bootbiaek who Was Not
to BE Kept Down.


to BE Kept Down.
"It's Just about seven years ago."
said wcll-known broker. as he pointed
toward well-dressed young man.
.'since that young fellow shined my
shoes. and believe that it was the last
pair he ever got paid for putting a
gloss on.
.'At that time Billie was one of the
many youngsters who made their liyeli-
hood by keeping an electric shining
chair in gamblers alley. In those days
the highway was frequented By good
many young sports who didn't care
any more about paying a quarter for
shine than they did about treating a
friend to ice water. This young fellow
scrapcd the san from my shoes that
afternoon and daubed them with half
inch Layer Of backing more or less
ard as he finished he said. Il wish ]
could give up shining" This was
something strange To come from him.
for he vas an expert sinner and got
good deal more than his share Of pat
ronsge. and the other professors of the
brush were envious. got over my
surprise. for thought that two regi-
ments of soldiers couldn't drive him
away from that chair. and asked him
why he wanted to give up the old stand.
AS he toiled away with his two brushes
he said: Well. if / don't quit it soon
l never will get out Of it. So / want to
get away from it while feel like it.
And If don't before long it will be the
ball and chain on my leg all the days
of my life
Il had pity on the poor fellow, for
he talked so sincerely, and. while he
| was giving my coat finishing touch
| with his whisk broom. a friend OF mine,
who was engaged in the lumber bust
ness at that time. came up.
las soon as Billie saw him he gave
me wink that said: See If ne won't
do something for fellow who wants to
better his condition Ny friend took
the vacant chair next to me. and after
we had chatted awhile asked him if
he couldn'nt give Billie job. He was
soon as much interested in the boot
black as was myself. and after hear
ing a long talk Billie was engaged as a
| ward hustler at six dollars week
just about one-third what he was max
ing at shining. He had little chance
to obtain an education, but this didn't
discourage him. and half of the first
weeks pay was spent for school books.
Every spare moment that the lad had
he spent in study, and he could be seen
( quite often between two lumber piles
figuring out an example in long divis-
ion with pencil on a smooth board.
After he had been doing general
work about the yard for about four
months he was promoted to the position
of tallyman, which he held until the
end of 1881. Bill had been very dill
gent during all this time, and l de
termiaed to see if l couldn't get him 2
more rcmunerative position, and ont
where he could advance himself faster
than in the lumber business. Accord
ingly | sent a letter to one of my cor
respondents, reputable Wall street
broker, and the reply was that h.
var ed good office man. and if hac
friend he would be very glad to give
him the place.
II kept Bill in my Office until a few
days before he was to take his New YORK
position. Then he went East He gave
excellent satisfaction in every respect,
and gradually made himself so valua
BILE that he became. in time, partner
He withdrew from the firm last Janu
airy and brought over 800, coo to Chi
cago with him as his share.
He thinks the first step he mad
toward success was when he started OF
with load of two-by-fours' on hi
shoulder in lumber yard not grea
distance from the corner of Lincol,
street and Blue Island avenue. "-Chi
cdgo Mail.