Life — November 20, 1902 — page 14: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“LIE. « Society Shines. OCIETY, if its most dili- gent chroniclers are to be believed, is agog over the latest manifestation of Mrs. Nervine Holdup'’s versatile genius. Mrs. Holdup, who has been well known in the most ex- clusive society ever since she opened a candy store three years ago, is at present con- ducting the luxurious ‘Polite Polishing Pedal Parlors,’’ which have taken such a strong hold on the fancy of the “ four hundred.”’ For many years, society men have felt the need of an estab- lishment in which they could have their shoes polished amid refined and dainty surroundings and by artists of acknowledged social position, Even the most accomplished man-servant finds it impossible to produce a lustre that will defy rain and mud, and so ~~ it frequently happens that even men of the most exclusive social circles find themselves far from home and club and compelled to submit to the coarse handling of persons not qualified by either birth or education to minister to the wants of the elect. Mrs. Holdup has for some time been cognizant of this and has accordingly equipped her new parlorsina manner that does credit to her long familiarity with the usages of the most ex- clusive society, and is cer- tain to be keenly apprecia- ted by those persons who care to demonstrate their in- nate refinement by enrolling them- selves among her patrons. ° A reporter who called on Mrs. Holdup yesterday found her deep- ly engrossed in business matters incident to her new enterprise, but. ready as ever to receive him cour- teously and explain her unique scheme—the only one of its kind the town has ever known. “My experience as a society business woman,” said Mrs. Hold- up, “has taught me that New York contains a large number of people who appreciate elegance, refinement and exclusiveness, and are willing to pay liberally for AN OBJECT LESSON, MEANTS WILL BREAK, these accessories whenever they are put before them. Per- sons of this class feel that it is worth something extra to feel that their clothes are cut by a society lady, their boutonniéres put together by a society gentleman, and their shoes polished under polite conditions in the rarefied atmosphere of choice society, and under the personal super- vision of a woman who, like myself, is thoroughly familiar with the usages of the best society and the requirements of society people.” There are two departments in Mrs. Holdup’s place of business—one for society ladies and the other for society gentlemen, In one a white-capped maid is in attendance ; in the other a footman in purple livery takes the patron's card and carries it to Mrs. Holdup's secretary, who looks it up in the social register. If it is not found in that Psalm of Life references must be furnished. It is not until the patron’s social position is vouched for that Mrs. Holdup will consent to make an appointment for a shoe polish the next afternoon. The hours for blacking are from four to six, during which time Mrs. Holdup, assisted by several well-known society women, serves tea in the palm-room adjoining the studio where the artists work. The polishing in both de- partments is done entirely by ex-domestics of millionaires, and after it is over the patrons are at liberty to stroll through the palm-room, where they will be received by Mrs. Holdup and her friends precisely as if they were at a fashionable function. On Saturday afternoons an addi- tional zest is imparted to the conversazione in the palm- room by the presence of a Hungarian band. “It is needless to say,’’ remarked Mrs, Holdup, “that in my parlors such coarse expressions as ‘Shine ‘em up, boss!’ and ‘Maka da gooda shine, boss !' are strictly forbidden, as liable to offend the sensibilities of the really refined society people to whom I cater. Instead, the attendant waves a perfumed handker- chief and says, ‘ Will you do us the honor, sir, or madame, to enthrono yourself?’ In view of all these luxurious acces- sories, Mrs. Holdup has decided to make a slight increase in the current prices for shoe blacking and charge fifty cents for one of her delightful society shines. N. B.—In order to meet the demand for ultra-exclusive polishing, Mrs. Holdup has associated with her in her new enterprise Mr. Reginald Fattwitz,whose honey, made exclusively by society bees on his property in West- chester, is to be found on every well- appointed breakfast table. Mr. Fattwitz has arranged to super- vise the polishing of a limited number of pairs of shoes at a dol- lar a pair on Tuesday and Thars- day afternoons, and it is promised in the interest of these special patrons, that he will in every instance spit on the brush. J.L. Ford, comicbooks.com