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Updated: June 12, 2025
In fact he was disposed to be mean, and in the present instance he had even expected to get the credit of being generous. A dollar, he thought, must seem an immense sum to a ragged boot-black. But Micky thought differently, and Gilbert felt irritated at his ingratitude. "It's all you'll get," said he, roughly.
For years he had led a vagabond life about the streets, as a boot-black, sleeping in old wagons, or boxes, or wherever he could find a lodging gratis. It was only twelve months since a chance meeting with an intelligent boy caused him to form the resolution to grow up respectable.
Both practices are abuses of the times, which have been carried to such an extent that nothing can be more unmeaning than references of this kind in regard as well to schools, and "institutes," and "seminaries," as to the publication of books by subscription, and the superior merits of patent blacking and razor-straps; as to which, by the way, it has always been a subject of speculation to the writer, why a reverend divine or an eminent physician should be supposed better qualified to give an opinion than a boot-black or a barber.
The hero represents in a fashion the adventures of the whole Italian race coming to America: its natural southern gayety set in contrast to the drab East Side. The gondolier becomes boot-black. The grape-gathering peasant girl becomes the suffering slum mother. They are not specialized characters like Pendennis or Becky Sharp in the Novels of Thackeray.
They're all from wholesale customers." "I congratulate you on your success," said Roswell, in the same disagreeable manner. "Of course that's all humbug. I suppose you've got a place." "Yes," said Dick. "Who are you with?" "Rockwell & Cooper, on Pearl Street." "How did you get it?" asked Roswell, appearing surprised. "Did they know you had been a boot-black?" "Of course they did."
He felt rather pleased to find he was not recognized, since it was a compliment to his improved appearance. "What!" exclaimed Frank, his face lighting up with pleasure, "is it possible that you are " "Richard Hunter, at your service," said our hero; "but when you knew me I was Ragged Dick." Frank Whitney was indeed surprised to find the ragged boot-black of a year before so wonderfully changed.
Lord Linden interrupted him with a light laugh. "Lady? Oh! I see you adopt the customs and phraseology of the country in which you live; and here, a mantua-maker is, of course, a lady; just as a respectable boot-black is, in common parlance, an accomplished gentleman." "My lord," began Maurice, angrily; but Lord Linden would not permit him to continue.
Craigie or Miss Fowler, would, as a matter of fact, be torn to shreds in the art of conversation by the first boot-black he had the misfortune to fall foul of. The poor are merely sentimental, and very excusably sentimental, if they praise the gentleman for having a ready hand and ready money. But they are strictly slaves and sycophants if they praise him for having a ready tongue.
Micky laid down his box, and commenced operations. "How long have you been a boot-black?" asked Gilbert. "Five years goin' on six," said Micky. "Can you earn much?" "No," said Micky. "Business aint very good now." "You manage to dress well," said Gilbert, with an amused look at Micky's habiliments.
This had not occurred to Dick, for in general the professional boot-black considers his blacking too valuable to expend on his own shoes or boots, if he is fortunate enough to possess a pair. The two boys now went downstairs together. They met the same servant who had spoken to Dick a few minutes before, but there was no recognition. "He don't know me," said Dick.
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