The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-11-08
Spelling BABY'S FEET.

How Mothers lnfi.c. torture and Injury
on Their Little Ones.
Nov stamp down your foot, dear"
"That's it, That shoe is too large.
Let me see a size smaller"
Really, madam, If you take my adj
vice" began the shoemaker, but
madam cut him off with
II want smaller shoe. That one
fits like sack"
The smaller shoes were put on the
child, pretty little tot of about two
years of age. They fitted tightly and
showed that the foot was very small
one. but they pinched the child and
made it cry.
Mothers exhibit more vanity than
judgment in their selection of shoes
for their young children" said the
shoe dealer after the lady had disap-
peared to a reporter. Zone will bring
her baby here and try pair of shoes
on it that will look real sweet know
what that means and am always sorry
for the baby, who is usually in it's first
short dress and as skittish as an old
maid about having its feet interfered
with. | don't say am going to put a
shoe on it size larger than the foot
seems, but do; at least | get it on rs
we'll as one can when the foot is Oper-
ated by perpetual motion power
Then | trust to the mothers sense
for results. If it's her first baby
she will be indignant and say
that she does not want the treasure
to look sloppy in its shoes. They
must fit exactly Or she won't take
them. tell her that the child's weight
will push the foot out at least one
fourth of an inch and that the shoe is
just right. If she objects again give
up and find what she wants. The
little foot is squeezed into tight shoe
and the baby objects by squalling
She saws the seraph is teething or
hasn't had it's usual nap. and declares
the shoes are just lovely and papa will
be delighted.
The chances are that when she
wants another pair she will leave the
baby at home, and bring down the old
pair literally burst out at the toes.
She wants several pairs to take home
for trial. and | notice that the only
ones | consider unsuitable she selects.
Children would have better looking
feet if they had wise mothers, and the
fault lies in the first shoes worn. One
pair too short will ruin the feet, no
matter how loose subsequent ones may
be-"
Then some women accept your ad-
vice?"
Yes, after the little people have
laid the foundation for corns and bun
ions. l know many children between
these Affections because their mothers
wanted them to look cute"
''Is there no change in the shape OF
children's shoes?"
.'NOne. There can't we'll be. be
cause the sole must be sufficiently
broad to stand the wear and tie r.
Square toes are preferred to round.
Because they allow freer development
of the toes. In European countrie,
they make very stylish shoes for chill.
dren. They will have heels. pointed
toes, patent leather tips and so forth.
Some mothers buy them here, but the
plain cOmmOn-sense shoe is the best,
and the children, when they grow up
will appreciate the fact by having per.
fectly formed feet, free from corns
The spring heel introduced a few
years ago is now worn by children as
young as two years old, but is more
fashionable for children in their teens.
1t is nothing but strip of leather in
serted between the sole and that par
of the shoe pressed by the wearer's
heel. 1t is seldom that smaller thar
No. 8 is made with a regular heel, anC
that on the cOmmOn-sense plan-lOw
and broad"
'HOw are babies shoes numberedp
mo. is the first size out of baby
hood. No. has a soft sole of white
kid and pastebOard. and is the sue
cessor of the knit wool boots thai
are worn by babies in long dresses
Nos. l. and have what is calico
the turned sole, sewed together on the
wrong side and turned out. There
are from four to five buttons on the
side. and black tassel is now fastened
at the top in front. The latest is t.
have vamp of French kid, with cal
uppers, or, what is still better, half
boxed round toe, tipped with patent
leather. IN. Y. Mail and Express.