San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-09-29
SHOES THAT FIT WELL.
THE ARTISTIC SIDE OF THE SHOE
MAKERS BUSINESS.

Scientifically Made Lasts to Accommodate
Corns, Bunions and Chilblains-Men a,
Particular as Women About the Shape
of Their Footgear-Lasts-
"Don't you want q last madeF" rather
solicitously inquired fashionable shoe
maker the other day Of a well to do Gus
toner.
"a lastl what fort" was the surprised re,
joinder
"In order to get a perfect fit for your foot, "
answered the shoemaker.
And after a brief conversation the GUS
toner had his measure taken for last, and
his bunioDs, corns and chilblains will receive
due anatomical consideration.
About 60 per cent. of my customers have
their own lasts" said the shoemaker subse-
quently, land they are all perfectly satisfied
with the ease and perfect FIT of their shoes
There are some men on my books whom
haven't seen for five years They simply
send me written order for a pair of shoes
or boots, and as have their lasts there is no
extra measuring to be done The shoes are
made, and the only reply get is check for
the bill when it is presented"
" udU uOtS u last Ol UnlS CndTdCUeT COSJg
"Well, from IS to SIS, according to the
popularity of the foot and the necessity for
extra work upon 1t. 1t is surprising fact,
but the feet of no two men are alike, and
therefore no stock last will answer in max
ing perfect fitting boot or shoe. Every last
has to be altered in some particular for each
customer. Some men have calloused joints;
some are suffering with bunions; some have
corns and others have trfling deformities,
which must be regarded if the shoe is to fit
and give comfort to the wearer."
"Are men particular about the shape of
their shoes as claSSF'
well, should say so. There is scarcely
a customer of mine but is as anxious to get
good looking shoe as a lady is. OF course,
they insist that the shoe must fit and be easy,
but they are just as anxious that it shall be
trim and neat. Many of them want little
deformities hidden by general change
IN the shape of the shoe, and then.
again, some will wear an extra amount of
leather to cure slight limping in their gait,
owing to the fact that one leg is trihe
shorter than the other. Altogether / think
men are as particular in this regard as the
ladies'
4 SHOES FUR DEFORMED
Then, again, there are a number OF
actually deformed feet for which shoes have
to be made, and in these cases we have to
take perfect plaster cast of the foot, and
form the mold, construct a last upon which
to construct good fitting shoe, which will
allow of ease and comfort in walking Some
men have feet that turn up on the outside.
and, of course, the soles of their shoes have
to be so put on as to allow for the wear on
that particular place.
1--WE have some very queer specimens"
said the shoemaker, and he produced col
lection Of lasts that looked as though they
might do service In a dime museum. Some
were Of club footed men; some of men whose
feet turned inward; some with phenemenally
high insteps and some with no insteps at all
A rather pain suggesting assortment had
little Jumps and bumps upon them which told
the story OF corns and bumps all too plant
lively The collection was decidedly unique
one.
, "You've no idea how particular gentle
man with pet and carefully trained bunlon
is to have a good looking shoe, and at the
same time to have it so that there will be no
pinching or pain when it is worn. Other
men have gracefully formed feet, entirely
clear of the slightest blemish, and these are
peculiarly anxious to have a shoe made that
will do full justice to the beauty and sym
metry of their pedal extremity. 1t must not
be too long or too broad, the instep mnst be
gracefully arched, and the hollow in the ball
Of the foot most carefully arranged. Now,
this can only be accomplished by having a
snecial last made and it is to the credit of
these gentlemen to say that they never object
to the cost of such a luxury"
'tOf what material are these lasts generally
made?
mostly of maple or persimmon wood.
When properly seasoned, these woods do not
warp or crack, and are easily worked into
the required shape. Sometimes we make the
first lasts of cork, which is easily cut INTO
form, and after that we make them of the
wood. Chicago Herald.