Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-09-19
A BootbIaCk Who Made Local
Shining Famous-Water- |
front Crimps Gone
By ERNEST N. SMITH

eny other State or nation-and the
pity OF II is Hawaii can't take full
advantage OF II. Wherever officially
he exposition officials go, wherever
an exposition assemblage appears, IN
the very forefront of things. general
ly even ahead OF President Moore
stands a coaI-black coon who some
years ago gave Honolulu a snappy
idea OF metropolitan activity By run
ming a bootblack stand, the like of
which had never been sesn in Homo
lulu.
Such activity as he displayed is not
without it's reward, for he is now the
official trumpeter of the Panama-Pa-
cific Exposition. Wearing gorgeous
white, gold laced uniform with the
dignity Of a peacock parading his
tail. William thing his name was,
though I'm not sure-rubs elbows
with official life and from a secure
position above the common crowd,
blasts a way clear for any party he
may accompany. EsaS,
] well remember the poor excuses
for shines the Portuguese and Orien.
tai bootblacks used to give in Homo
ulu-wishy-washy efforts which pro-
duced inst enough of an effect to
make il possible for a man with a
nerve to demand a dime. Enter VIII
liam-ur whatever his name was
with modest stand and a pleasant
smile as q bidder for local trade. The
first few patrons after they had re-
covered their establishment made re-
ma Riyo haf R1nU lflzA N
rise in sugar quotations. Some went
TO see what real shine really Was
and gained a thorough education.
Others, with ancient memories of
shines had on the Coast, FASTENED TO
revive them-and did.
Ones toes fairly tingled with VIII
liam lowering over them with brush
es and cloths. Never in the history Of
HoHolulu had anyone received such
sines-you could actually see your
face in your shoe tip. You walked
more carefully to preserve the sight.
And a whisk broom operation went
with each shine-such a brush as set
the other "booties" green with envy.
With a really stiff brush or whisk,
he surged up and down your back,
beat a light tattoo on your chest,
waltzed down one leg and two-step-
ed up the other, turkey-trotted"
around your collar, and deftly nippiRg
the dime you was crazy to give him,
left you standing upright, chest
thrown out, spotless from top to toe,
man ready to face the world, and
hoping the world would see you be-
fore fleck of dust alighted.
Auwei Il was a seyen-days Won
der in Honolulu, and William corner
ed the dime market. The other
wishy-washy bootblacks scoffed, but
a cartoon of themselves appeared Ia
1t was no avail Some finally did get
a little elbow grease" into their
work, but one saw it was painful and
didn't relish the extra effort There
is nothing so catching" as good work
done with smile.
Young men, take note of this small
history. William departed, leaving
sorrowing friends, but he has climb
ed and "clumb" we'll. Rarely can the
spotlight land anywhere in official
San francisco but in its very center
is seen a black, smiling face sur
mounting gold-laced white uniform
long trumpet raised majestically, a
readiness to out-bugle Gabriel. 1t is
William-the envy of every small
boy in San Francisco-the incarna-
ton of dignity and poise and self-sat-
isfaction. 1t is William-in his
glory. .--@
Shades Of the Departed.
Something else upset Honolulu
once as things occasionally do. 1t
was the advent OF two gentlemen
from San Francisco who at once pre-.
empted a prominent position in Ho
MODULUS eye. There they remained
for some months, until shortly after
a cortoon of themselves appeared la,
beled The Prison Yawns Before, the
Turnkey Stalks Behind" They were
escorted to the dock by certain of
Honolulu's officials and were soon
melting over the horizon. .-..
Turk and Lewis-famous as water
front crimps, as active gentlemen as
ever cracked. sailor over the head
and sold him TO a shipmaster, as per-
suasiye men as ever argued before
bar of justice-as cunning a pair as
CNCi llNSu VII q
the community pay well. Only an
unsayory memory fingers in the
minds Of old Honolulans.
Turk. understand, is now driving
a bakery wagon in San Francisco. He
processes not to speak to a man as
low as Lewis-at least in public
and Lewis is above noticing Turk
also in public.
But if Burlingame, California, ever
has need for a prominent citizen to
lead a good work. if Burlingame ever
needs an active citizen to propose
suitable improvements if Burlin-
games two political parties ever
need a man to speak on Civic Right
eousness, on Public Decency. on City
Purity, then all eyes turn to the
Lewis end of the Turk-Lewis COM
hination-I say all eyes turn toward
Lewis, because he is the first man
nm,