New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-22
LAYING AT MORA IN OLD EGYPT.

on the business Of backing shoes the modern
charge Is only five cents. This authority re-
marked
I'm the old DAYS when the Irish boys carried
the boxes the universal price was dime and as
much more as the boOtblacks diplomacy could
get out Of you: but when the Italians TOOK IL up
they charged only five cents, and that was the
way they got control of the business That they
do control II to-day in New-York there Is no
question It IL the rarest thing In the world TO
see a colOred bootblack. Occasionally you VIII
meet with one over the West Side | remem-
Der an encounter had with venerable African
who has what he called establishment away
IN on Columbus-ave II Sunday evening.
quite late perhaps o'clock. The old man was
putting his things away, and approached with
becoming meekness and asked for shine he
looked me all over with what took 70 De an
expression Of lofty and then said: No sab.
you gets no shine heah. Dis establishment Is
closed 70 de night Needless TO state went TO
church shneless. Independent? why you would
have thought the old darkey had a corner on the
business"
THE SYSTEM on FERRYBOATs.
But. as have said. the Italians virtually
control It, The ferryboats of all lines have
their bootblacks. who work for few men who
pay the ferry companies for the privilege.
Others own stands on various prominent cor
ners along all the avenues and wherever pos
sIble they secure @ room in the basement into
which customers can go In Indictment weather
In winter time the rooms are heated ana gen
orally they ngnted by electricity. w ny, 1
tell you. the business is assuming the proper
lions Of great enterprise. and II almost
reaches to the dignity Of a science. The fur
niture OF the various bootblacking parlors is
getting more costly all the while
I'm a chair | sat in few days ago In one
OF the side streets downtown the worthy artist
of the brush had two or three lucky coins. In
the shape Of silver half-doars tackled down
on the brass ornamentaton. IL reminded me
i'm small way OF that famous Chicago barber
shop where silver dollar exposes at each
corner OF the pieces OF glazed thing In the
floor You know the stands In many OF the
big hotels are elaborate; but for comfort and
positive elegance you should see the place In
the Equitable Building That is run by an
Italian whom everybody merely knows as
Tony although few have ever heard his last
name which is Castro. He controls the Produce
Exchange and the Stock Exchange stands as
we'll and has two three uptown places He
also has business Office In Cortlandt-st Why.
sir Tony spent the present summer or part
OF II in Europe.
WHY MEN ARE PREFERRED.
THE business too. has passed out OF the
hands OF boys. The Italian men work cheaply
and they are better. for in addition TO greater
strength they have patience. and will exercise
a care and solicitude t. secure perfect. mir
ror~llke polish that are wel-nigh pathetic.
They also work clear round the heel OF a shoe
and carefully get into the bend OF the shank.
a place difficult to reach. Yet II II is not
treated the moment man crosses his legs in
hotel. train streetcar he Is marked for con-
temptuous looks careless In his dress. Then
the first thing he wants TO do IL TO Kill boot
black. The boOtblack you and | used TO know
is falling behind Like the Western cowboy. he
is fast passing out OF sight ] types
casionally in keen-eyed pugnacious-appearing
youngsters with tumbled hair and dirty faces.
cap on the side Of the head and clothing cling
ing precariously 10 them Like the old boys.
they are equally ready for a fight or frolc.
| am sorry that this is so. for the old bootblack
was picturesque figure and more than
casionally I'm keen-"yed, pugnaciOus- "a ppearing
most certain ruin OF his associations and be-
came a man Of whom We were all proud.
Another thing" continued this oracle. that
has led TO the establishment Of bootback!ng
industry In fixed localities Is the growth In APP
parafus required 10 carry II on. In OF the
stands downtown there Is list OF possible shines
long your arm. First there Is a regular
shine then extra shine. first shine for new
shoes wash and shine. oing wash. oil and shine
a reviver 10 be applied to the uppers OF the shoe
and shoe buttons Will be put on II the wearer de-
slres. All this Is for the old-fashioned black
leather shoe Then for patent feathers this en-
terprising chap advertises washing Dreaming
patent leather paste cream and paste. waterproof
varnish and ordinary varnish. In russell shoes
he offers cream for summer russets the same
thing for winter russets russell paste. cream
paste. washing. washing and polishing with
cream scrubbing scrubblng and polishing with
cream. and. last OF all. staining old shoes IA per-
manent black which will take polish. Now the
cents. and you can imagine the stock he must
carry to be able to fulfil his varied promises
mo. do not say that he will be successful In
all that he thus guarantees In print, but backing
manufacturers trying to furnish him with
every appliance. There is even French tale or
chalk to be applied To canvas shoes Thus YOU
can understand how II Is that the arab is giving
place 10 the settled man OF business even In the
matter Of backing shoes. He n gay rascal
and game a rat. and for one am sorry tina,
his occupations gone.