Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-10-29


"M'FINIGAL's FAMILY SHOE STORE"
conveys the idea that McFinigal had
such large family that it required an
entire store to supply them with shoes.
If the sign furnished tho additional in
formation as to how many members
there wore in the McFinigal family, and
why they bought thoir shoes at ono par
ticular store, it would be q great com.
fort. ...-..
Another sign in tho upper part of New
York reads:
MRS. SMITHS SERVANTS BUREAU"
It would seem to be o matter Of in
difference to the general public whether
Mrs. Smith kept servant or not. Who
cares, outside of Mrs. Smith and her
personal friends? And what interest
the public can have in the bureau of
Mrs. Smiths servants is difficult to
imagine. If the object is to acuuaint
the people with the private affairs Of
Mrs. Smith and her servants perhaps
the best way would be to publish a
biography of Mrs. Smith and her serv-
ants with portrait of the bureau. It
Is not right to excite the curiosity of 4
million and a half Of people, and then
refuse to crafty it.
The names on the business signs, or
at least some of them, appear slightly
incongruous, while others are sugges-
tive Of attempted puns. A man who
sells vegetables has his name painted on
his cart. 1t roads simply: "P. Green"
One of the most peculiar signs is that
over German bookstore. It reads. in
large letters:
20. RUBsAM & GIT.
That's all there is of it. No details of
tho affair are given. There is no hint
MS to what was the matter with Sam, or
how often he was to be rubbed, or what
particular salve should be used. The
inference Is that Sam was very sore, and
being perhaps of an irritable disposition,
prudence suggested that whoever rubbed
Sam should Immediately seek safety in
flight. But the question naturally
arises to the person who does not in
vcstigate the matter, why publish
such domestic affairs to the people pass
Ing on the streets, who are more in
cl1ncd to jeer than to offer any SUBJ
stantial sympathy Why seek to create
fcoling OF sympathy for Sam, Of which
he may be wholly undeserving? The
bost way for the stranger to do is not to
allow himself to BIO prejudiced by any
outward signs. In this instance, it is
plain that there Is some deep and unex-
plalnable mystery behind 10 Rubsam
q Git" and simple justice to all the
parties concerned should at least be
given IN opportunity to explain If they
can. A stranger, who at first supposed
that SO Rubsam & Git" was in the nat
IRE OF an admonition, entered the
rtore and courteously asked how Sam
was coming on, and what effect the rub
bling had on him.
The whole matter was arranged with
out prejudice to either party. An elder
ly German gentleman, wearing specta-
clos, said that he was the senior member
Of tho firm of 20. Rusbam g. Git" His
christian name was Otto, or for short
80. Rubsam." Whom reprimanded for
having such a suspicious name as Grub
SAM" no apologized and explained that
tho family name was Ruebensamen,
which, being translated into English,
means simply ''turnip seed" and that
tho name had been shortened to 80.
Rubsam."
"But If your name is Turnip Seed, +"
said the stranger, "why don't you call it
Turnip Seed instead OF putting out q
sign that is calculated to deceive and
mislead tho public. There are q great
many Americans who use vegetable
names like yours. know ever 10 many
mon who arc called "Beats," for In
stance. Tho woods are full OF them.
just about this time Mr.. Git came in,
and not understanding English, mado
himself worry disagreeable. In fact he
mnuO Tho seeker after kDnu1odo ,a ..oa :, :.
and "git."
In short. the signs Of Now York arc q
perpetual source OF instruction and
amusement TO tho iaan OF an observing
turn VI mind. ..nsn.
---------a&EE ALEX T. SWEET.