Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-06
BLACK YOUR OWN BOOTS.
Tsu Might just as Well, and Here's
Good Way.

There are some folks who do not black
their own footgear because it is dirty
process and because it takes time Those
folks need not read this. They are beyond
cure. But the people who believe that a
nickel saved is as good as 10 cents found
may as well pay attention to learn now
they can get a magnificent shine on their
own brogans that will last just as long
as that administered by the grimy genius
at the corner
Now there's one disadvantage about the
backing on shoesA 1t is apt to soil the
edges of the trousers and make them unfit
for publication. good shine will not do
that and one does not need to patronize
the Abyssinian who yields the brushes to
obtain one. The secret of a good black lies
in the final polish that is given, not by
brushes or by the palm of the hand, which
is used by some connoisseurs in this line.
1t is put on by means of hard friction
with a strip of canvas, or, better, canton
flannel with the woody side against the
leather. In New York every bootblack
uses this finishing rag and as a result the
metropolitan shine looms far above that of
this city. There are a few boys here to
whom the secret has been given. confiden-
TALLY. by travellers who have escaped from
Gotham. They are now the kings Of the
trade and command great consd Grafton for
ties.
There are reasons why one cannot in
dulgc in the canton flannel shine at home
without certain preparations. In the first
place, 1t Is difficult to get such an angle
on ones self that the slippery strip of cloth
can be made to produce the proper amount
of friction. One cannot get underneath
ones self very well. you know. Were the
arms OF the human creature about two
feet longerAt might be possible to let the
hands fail out to their fun length and get
a good grip on the flannel. But under ex-
listing circumstances, art must step in to
supply the deficiency.
A fellow can pull up as Well as down, it
would seem, and so the amateur bootblack
calls in little mechanics to his aid. He
seeks first an abandoned soap box and re-
moves the boards from one of the mar
row sides. Thus 1t can be stood the
other narrow side and form sort of wood
en- hole. with the opening upward.
Straight across the middle, then the mar
rowest way. he nails strip of wood about
two inches wide. or may be an inch and a
half. This Is for foot rest. Just on each
side of this there must be a smooth roller
Wife. mother or sister will surely have
some old curtain poles, or If none be with
In reach, a plebian broomstick will answer
These rollers should fit in neatly, and
should be flush with the top of the box
and about an inch away from the foot rest
1t is not necessary that they should turn on
their axes. for ii will answer If they should
be merely smooth and round. The object is
to get something around which the cloth
will run easily.
Then pass the latter down under one
role-, then up and over the shoe, as 1t rests
ON the strip of wood, and down under the
other roller and up again. Get a good hold
on each end and pull on that rag for all it's
worth.
You will he surprised how easily you can
tire yourself at this exercise AMI later how
much easier 1t has become. You will also
be gratified to see how finely the backing
ha -dens and CLOVIS until your heart swells
with pride. and. with your breath coming
in short sections. you remove your boot and
go upstairs to show the results of your in
duStry.