Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-03

the mirror of my mind untarnished." He
boasts that he has never had days
illness in his life. Women he regards
solely as beautiful objects to be admired
from distance.
Il am almost glad have no children
he says, for if I possessed any they
could never properly carry on my work,
which is as individual as a painters or
sculptOr's. An offer was made to me a
while ago by a syndicate to form a COM
pany with a capital Of 100000. but, of
course, nothing will ever induce me to
sell my business, which l shall take good
care dies with me, so that may leave
behind me name unsullied by anything
that may happen In the future.
But l shall also perpetuate my men,
DRY by founding a Musee de Chaussure.
ments viii. be preserved for posterity. 1t
is quite possible that 1 may arrange for
it to be placed in New York.
Nevertheless, l regard myself as the
founder of a new school, which Will
eventually revolutioniZe the whole art of
bootmaking.'
One of the most amiable of men, he
says that after his work his next great
est aim is to make his handful of as
sistants happy and that he regards al
his clients as friends. with whom he has
to be in sympathy before he can do good
work for them.
The idea OF cOmpetltlOn Is aDnorfenI 10
him. He has never been known to criti-
else another firms work, and of course
he never advertises. He makes firm
rule never on any account to go out to
see any of his clients-of whatever rank
they may be-they must all come to see
him.
The career of Yantorny is in itself one
Of the romances of business, and an OBJ
ject lesson in pluck and perseverance.
Born in Calabria only thirty-seven years
ago, of humble parentage, the only edu-
cation he ever received was six months
schooling in his ninth year. since when he
has worked without intermission. He be-
gan. by working in macaroni factory
from in the morning until at night at
a wage Of cents a day. This he did for
two years, afterward working as stable
boy At this time he received a tempting
offer to go to Chicago, but decided to re-
main in Europe.
At the age of thirteen he apprenticed
himself to a bootmaker of Naples, living
on So a month sent to him from home
After learning all his master could teach
him he moved on to Genoa. arriving there
with 81 in his pocket and no friends.
For some time he lived on cents day
before he was able to find work. but says
he reckoned himself the happiest boy
alive at that time.
Working as jOurneyman cobbler, he
passed through Nice and Marseille to
Paris, where, in spite Of his ignorance Of
French. he quickly found employment
with the leading firms. voluntarily work.
ing eighteen hours day to perfect HIM
self.
Wishing to set up on his own account,
but not having the money to buy his
tools. he worked for two months as
washer-up at an Italian restaurant to
earn the required amount. Luck was
against him then, however. for he found
himself in the dead season, with no work
to be had, which caused him to go down
to Nice, where he arrived with 4 cents
in hand.
After two years spent In London he
returned to Paris again in 1900 and saw
that the secret of rising to the very top
of his profession, the goal he had by now
set himself. was to do what no bootmaker
had ever done before. and master the
separate trade Of making lasts for boots