When I was a kid growing up in Boston during the 60's, lot's of kids made their own shinebox, bought a few tins of polish, brushes and cloths and set off hitting every bar, tavern and pub in the vicinity. I started out by accompanying my older brother and just standing around looking cute. When I got a bit older it was time to venture out on my own. Our territory was under the old Orange Line trains, along Washington street from Forest Hills to Dudley Station. There were dozens of watering holes along the way. We easily earned enough money for movies, sweets and comic books, the essentials of a young boy's life then. There were dangers,too. Getting jumped and robbed, chased out by angry bartenders, beligerent drunks, and other shineboys competing for customers. Your post generated just a whiff of nostalgia.