The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-09-02
JoE'S DAINTY REMINDER.


himself, you'll find a gentleman there"
Sydney Dayre, in s. S. Times.
JOE'S DAINTY REMINDER.
Tho Evolution of a Young Bootblack and
Florist.
He looked about sixteen wears old.
The very positive race characteristics
of his face told you at once that he was
full-blooded son of Italy. A gray
shirt was turned back from his neck,
exposing an almost bronze throat. A
ragged felt hat was pushed back from
his head, leaving fringe of black, soft
curls, almost like baby's, hanging
over his forehead. His eyes had that
peculiar softness, with an expression Of
pathos, that is always associated with
a loving heart that is expanding itself
without object. He stood between
soap-boX on which was tin pan hold
ing several punches of violets, and
complete bootblack's outfit. In spite
of the energy that he was at times seen
expending upon the boots of Gus
toner, there was something about him
that made one feel that he belonged
rather to the flowers. In short time
the bootblack's kit was removed to the
further pole of the awning, and in
active charge of another Italian; the
two soap-boxes, with two trays Of
flowers, took the entire attention Of
our picturesque son of Italy. This di-
vision of labor seemed much more
natural, for the partner, as we after
wards learned, seemed entirely fitted
to the laborious labor of blaclsing
boots.
The weeks slipped quickly by, and,
before one was prepared for it, laces
had given place to furs, and our son of
Italy and his partner had evidently in
vested their savings in another COM
plete outfit for bootblacks. Two plat
forms covered with oilcloth, two chairs
bearing the advertisements of large
furniture house on their backs, and
two sons of Italy, decorated that par
ticular corner. The ragged hat still
held it's place, and the gray shirt was
now caught more tightly about
the neck by gray colored
handkerchief. Winter touched us
lightly, and business seemed to
be good on that corner. Newspapers
were added, and when spring came an
other son of Italy was engaged to at
tend to the extra bootblack part of the
business. A kitchen table took the
place of the soap boxes as stand for
the flowers. A gay curtain hung in
front of it, behind which were hidden
paper, cord and punches of moss and
ferns that were always added to the
bunch of flowers that you bought.
without extra charge, if you wished.
Whether because of an affinity between
the young florist and his wares, or be-
cause the wind blew more gently and
the sun withheld its hottest rays, the
flowers ON that stand never had the
wilted look of those OF the other cor
ner.
When the next fall reached us the
flowers again disappeared for week
or SO, when, joy! one cold, brisk No
yember morning the gayly-curtained
table was again in it's place, and on it,
filed with flowers, was glass show
case, behind which beamed the proud
and radiant face of the merchant for
ist. Congratulate were in order,
and from that mon mt intimacy was
established. Busines, ,',urished, the
bootblacking chairs always seemed to
have an occupant, and rarely did the
occupants leave the chairs without in
vesting in flower. When the next
spring came tiny little store around
the corner bore on the front of It in
large letters, painted on a cotton band:
"Joe, the Florist" and now, indeed,
was this son of Italy the proud posses.
sor Of a business. He still watched the
newspaper and the bootblack trade.
Added to the flowers were little
baskets, designs of immortelles, hang
baskets and wire Loral stands; finally
there appeared pot of palms, which
soon found companion with rubber
plant, each bearing as fruit the legend
"For Sale"
Business seemed to grow; better dis
play of flowers appeared in the tiny
window, and before another year
elapsed there appeared the sign: "Will
remove to No. 246 = street, around the
corner, Joe, the Florist" And he did.
Now potted plants were added to the
cut flowers, orders were received for
ferneries and the like. But, alas! the
soft gray shirt has given place to one
that evidently passes through the
hands OF the Chinese lau undryman, and
1t always has II collar to match; four
in-hand tie, sober and discreet in de-
sign, has replaced the gay colored
handkerchief; that most undesirable
OF all head-coverings, the derby. has
replaced the soft gray felt hat.
and "Joe, the Florist" has become an
American citizen, and ceased person
ally to be interesting. Tie sunny
smile has given place TO the stereo-
typed grin OF the man who wants to
make trade. The soft, dreamy look
has become the keen, sharp look OF the
business man. Recently bill that
was sent remained unpaid because for
gotten. The other day there came "a
the house = box Of flowers; ON the tor
an envelope was tied which bore In the
corner Joe, the Florist" and inside .
card notifying the receiver that "Joes
had renUved into . larger store. Waa
there eser . more dainty reminder a
N unpaid blu than thlss- Christian