Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-17
BLAME JOHN L. SULLIVAN.
A Bootblack's Joke Places n Newspaper
Man In an Awkward Position.
New York Herald.

New York Herald.
As Joker the New York bootblaek takes
precedence over all other gam1ns OF the
street in the city.
His pranks are of a rude order and are
generally played on his fellows, At times,
however, they assume dignity beyond the
ordinary sphere of their perpetrators.
AS q case in point. a newspaper-man. re-
lates the following:
A few DAYS ago he had occasion to cross
the City Hall Park. While on his tourney
he was accosted by the bootblack who
usually when times were prosperous served
him in his professional capacity. -,
The bootblack was playing craps with
some of his fellows, and paused long
enough to say, Shine 'em up; boss ="
Yes" said the man as he glanced at his
muddy shoes; fire away and be quick
about it."
The man squared his back against tree
box in order to secure support during
the operation of shoe-shining. The gamin
pulled out ragged strip of carpet for his
knees and set about the task.
Now there is nothing extraordinary
about man having his shoes polished in
the City Hall Park. or in any other section
of the city for that matter. Neither was
there ANYTHING peculiar about the man,
his dress, OF his muddy shoes. He was,
perhaps, q little above the average height,
and wore q smooth-shaven face. HIS CON-
plexion was pale, but that is not unusual
among men who work two thirds of the
night and sleep during one third Of the
day.
CENTRE OF ATTRACTION.
The moment he paused, however, to IN
dergo the very prosaic operation OF having
| his Shoes shined a crowd began to collect.
The first contingent was formed OF other
| bootblacks who had left of pitching
| pennies. Then lot OF newsboys with
papers under their arms gathered around.
The bootblacks squatted on their boxes
and formed a circle around the poor vic
| tim. They gazed alternately from his face
| to his shoes. They whispered among
| themselves and to the newsboys.
The man stood the thing for time
we'll enough. At last he became nervous.
"What are these boys looking at ?" he
asked of the polisher. Are they trying
TO get points from you on shining?" he
added. The bootblack said never a word,
but continued his work, his head bent
low over his task.
The crowd increased in size It was
| Joined by children on roller skates and
| whoopers, match boys, shoestring peddlers,
and Italians who sell gilded plaster images.
| A few hackmen wandered IN from their
| Broadway stand.
A cold perspiration broke out all over
Cant you drive them away?" he asked
the bootblack.
Nav" replied the gamin.
"Well, can't stand this" remarked the
centre of attraction. Come with me
| over 10 Park Place and finish the Job"
| The newspaper-man led the way, with
one shoe polished and the other a dull
black. The bootblack picked up his traps.
| flung his box over his shoulder, and fol-
| lowed. Behind the latter came the motley
crew of urchins and peddlers.
Broadway was crowded with business
men. They paused at seeing the unusual
procession.
"Oh, nothing" said another of the
crowd. ITS only fellow trying to cheat
poor bootblack."
HE ought to be horsewhipped." re-
marked the first speaker.
SAVED By THE PoLIcE.
Fortunately for the newspaper-man the
burly blue-coated form of q policeman OF
| the Broadway squad hove in sight. lie re-
cognized the unfortunate moulder OF public
| opinion and inquired the cause of the row.
| At the sight OF the policeman portion
| Of the crowd scattered. The balance OF
! them moved away rapidly and the boot
black completed his task as though no
| thing had happened
After he. had been paid he looked up
| into the face Of the man who had Just
| passed through the ordeal and said
Say, boss. do yer want ter know what was
| DC matterY"
"Yes. | do" sand the victim: "what was
it7"
Why. boss, II was Just dis way. Whom
! sau var comm orozs der mark aays To