Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-07-15

linen, again, they are too hot for warm
weather use. The claim that low shoes
are lmmodest is speedily d1sslpatea nv
| the self-evident fact that the tight-fit-
Ilng hlgh shoes outline the form of the
leg Just as clearly as stockings, and the
exposure in the one case is no greater
than in the other.
Notwithstanding the sensible argu-
mentS which recommend the low shoe
there are many who have not the cour-
age to adopt it, and these adhere to the
nigh boot. The newest in these is
made of various colored French kid to
match the costume, and instead of be-
Ing laced, it is buttoned to within five
inches of the cuff top. which fastens
with two small buckles. The laced
boots Mt more snugly and give the
ankle prettier turn. and for this rea-
son they are bound to always enjoy
certain degree of popularity, but the
buttoned affair gives more freedom,
hence its advent. These boots are cut
very high to catch right in under the
knee and fit snugly on both foot and
leg.
There is only one chance for econo-
my IN the matter of the smart girls
footgear, and that concerns the boot
for mountain climbing. If the girl
goes in for skating in winter she can
employ her skating shoes for mountain
work. These have a round toe thick
extension sole, the vamp being of calf
skin and the top of kangaroo. The
average height is II inches, and as
they are fitted tight across the instep
they give strong support to the ankle
Golf calls for a special SHOE 1t is
made of Russian leather and has low,
broad heels and thick soles, the latter
being fitted with several rubber
discs and the heel with a ruber cres-
cent to prevent slipping when deliver
ing a VIOLENT blow on smooth grass.
Some players have the soles and heels
hob-nailed, but the average woman OBJ
jects to this, as it gives the foot any
thing but a pretty look. These shoes
are cut not higher than six inches, and
one of their essentials is to make walk
ing easy.
1t would seem that with this assort-
ment there should be no need of a spe-
c1al walking shoe, but such is not the
case. The girl of today can trudge
along a journey Of twelve or fifteen
miles without any signs of physical
collapse, but to do it she insists upon
having the proper fittings. and the
right kind of footgear is the first es-
sential.
The correct walking shoe is a laced
affair of calfskin, made as high as the
golf shoe, with an inch and quarter
square heel, and made so that the for
ward part of the foot from the ball to
the toe rests firmly on the ground. The
width of the shank is we'll sprung, to
afford an easy and graceful motion.
The horse is not always neglected
these days, Notwithstanding the domi-
nation of the bike, and a horseback
ride, of course, requires a pair Of well
made riding boots. The smartest kinds
are made of patent leather. but some
prefer those of calfskin or Russian
leather. They reach nearly to the
knee and are made with stiff tops,
pointed toes and low, broad heels.
Then there are tennis shoes and
yachting shoes, both Of canvas, with
rubber soles to prevent slipping on
velvety grass or fitting decks. Slip
pers for afternoon wear, when finery
is donned, are in innumerable dainty
styles and colors, and the same can be
said of the footgear for evening wear
for dances and similar functions. Thus
it can be seen that to clothe the foot
correctly is something of task, re-
curing more or less knowledge and a
heap Of money.