Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-09-12
SHOES THAT FIT WELL.
THE ARTISTIC SIDE OF THE SHOE
MAKERS BUSINESS.

Corns, Bunions and Chiiblains-Men As
Particular as Women About the Shape
of Their Footgear-Lasts.
Don't you want last nader rather
solicitously inquired a fashionable shoe
maker the other day of well to do Gus
toner.
"a last! what forg" 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 90 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 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"
What does a last of this character costTn
"Well, from IS to Sl5, according to the
popularity of the foot and the necessity for
extra work upon it. 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 trifing deformities,
which must be regarded if the shoe is to fit
| and give comfort to the wearer.n
"Are men particular about the shape of
| their shoes as a claSsf
well, | should say so. There is scarcely
a customer of mine but is as anxious to get a
| good looking shoe as 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 a 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 a trltle
shorter than the other Altogether | think
men are as particular in this regard as the
ladies.
SHOES FOR DEPoRMED FEET.
| "Then, again, there are number o1
actually deformed feet for which shoes have
| to be made, and in these cases We have t
take perfect plaster cast of the foot, anC
form the mold, construct last upon which
TO construct good fitting shoe, which vii
allow of ease and comfort in walking. Som'
men have feet that turn up on the outside
and, of course, the soles of their shoes hav'
to be SO put on as TO allow for the wear OF
that particular place.
I'VE have some very queer specimens,
said the shoemaker, and he produced col
lection of lasts that looked as though the.
| might do service III dime museum. Som
were of club footed men; some of men who's
feet turned inward; some with phenomenal.
high insteps and some with no insteps at al
A rather pain suggesting assortment ha
little Jumps and bumps upon them which toll
the story of corns and bumps all too plant
lively. The &C lection was a decidedly uniqu
one
you've no idea how particular a gentlt
man with pet and carefully trained bunio
! is to have a good looking shoe, and at tn
{ same Time 10 nave IL So budt lLtlt VIII pc II
pinching or pain when it is worn Othe
! men have gracefully formed feet, entirel
p clear of the slightest blemish, and these al
peculiarly anxious to have shoe made tbs
will do full Justice to the beauty and syn
metry of their pedal extremity. 1t must NJ
be too long or too broad, the instep must
k gracefully arched, and the hollow in the ba
of the foot most carefully arranged Nov
this can only be accomplished by having
special last made, and it is to the credit
. these gentlemen to ssy that they never obje
to the cost OF such luxury
"Of what material are these lasts general
| nader
Mostly of maple or persimmon WOO
When properly seasoned, these woods do N
warp or crack, and are easily worked in
the required shape. Sometimes we make Il
first lasts of cork, which is easily cut in
FORM and after that we make them of t
wood. Chicago Herald.