San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-11-01
WOMAN AND HOME.
ECONOMIC HINTS CONCERNING THE
CARE OF SHOES.
Lack of Courtesy in the Family-How to
Keep a Husband-Home Training Of
Girls-warding OF InvaIidism - Buga-
boos-Notes Items, Etc.


In nearly all homes, more particularly
where there are children, there is generally
an accumulation of shoes Of all kinds, half
worn, whole worn and very little worn In
the majority of homes these are thrown pro
miscuously together in closet or some other
receptacle, to be assorted when wanted
Some of these are Of no earthly use to the
possessors, but are boarded up with the idea
that they may some day be found useful, yet
rarely is this true, for If put away for any
length Of time they are, when taken out, gen.
orally unfit for use There are few things
that will collect mold as quickly as old boots
or shoes, more particularly If in close re-
ceptacle, such as a dark closet Consequently
when they are laid away for any length of
time they should be taken out into the light
and air occasionally to keep them in fair
condition. Musty shoes in the home will not
tend toward the good health Of the family,
and the fewer Of such things there are the bet
ter. 1t is much the better way, where there
are more than one extra pair Of cast of shoes
to each peason, to see that the superfuous
ehoes are given to some one in need Of them
The housewife may think they are not worth
giving away, being worn 50 badly, yet the
shoes she would think unfit for this purpose
would be accepted with gratitude by many a
poor unfortunate person. 1t is wonderful
how very much worn shoe may be ere it is
rejected by needy person. Do not allow
old boots and shoes to accumulate, but give
them where they will do the most good, and
you will never regret it.
Shoes that are worn regularly, If cared for,
will last much longer than if neglected, as is
too often the case. A French kid shoe, if
carelessly cared for, will not look as well nor
last as long as one of an inferior quality that
is looked after properly. When shoes are
taken off they should be thoroughly brushed,
to remove the dust that invariably collects in
the creases, smoothed out with the hand and
placed away in a shoe bag or box away from
the dust, and when wanted for use they can
be taken out ready for wear. Where there
is not box or bag for this purpose, a closet
is the next best thing. Shoes will last much
longer it, when new, they are rubbed with
castor oil Hold them in front of a fire and
rub the oil well into the leather The oil
makes the leather pliabIe, fills up the pores,
and prevents it from cracking. Where boots
are worn every day, once fortnight is not
too often TO oil them. At first the oil after
standing will give them a gray look, but
when dressed it gives them q nice soft finish.
1t is not advisable to use much Of the dress
ings so fashionable for ladies' and children's
shoes nowadays, as the most Of them in a
short while crack the leather. The box black
ing used for mems boots is much to be pre-
ferred, although it is a little harder to apply.
When using the dressing, apply very thin
coat, and do so as seldom as possible We
nave seen some very fine shoes ruined by
using a poor dressing; therefore, unless you
can find one that has been well tested, 1t is
better for fine grade Of leather to depend
on the box of blacking.
There are many patent button fasteners in
the market that are excellent for childrens
everyday shoes, more particularly where
there are boys, as they are much stronger
than thread, and the children learn very
soon to adjust them, thereby saving the
mother some work, besides keeping their
shoes in good condition. For a fine grade Of
leather we have never seen any Fasteners
that ought to be used, as in short time they
cut the leather, making an unsightiy tear,
and some of them, when the shoe is tight
fitting, viii tear the stocking. The fine shoe
string with needle attached, which may be
purchased at any shoe store, is the best
thing with which to fasten on shoe buttons.
Fasten them quite tight at first, as they work
loose, owing to the shoestring stretching.
Never wear a shoe unbuttoned if you care At
ell to have it shapely. Never put a wet shoe
close - fire to dry, for when dry it will be
% lard tina: i: will be difficult TO get on.
when taken OF the foot wet, smooth into az
good sna:,e as possible, then put in a medium
warm Place and let dry. To be sure, it will
take longer time than if dried at the fire,
h,.% / Hn in 1Ph ha.t N
wAeA wanted Shoes hardened by being
dr,ed at TIE fire can be wonderfully softened
by usiNS lite castor oil well rubbed in.
VI hen throwing away old shoes, cut of all
the good bu.toIs and put away for future
use.-Boston Budget.