The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-28
READS SIGNS IN OLD SHOES.
Loios Dumont Reads Mems Characters
i'm Foot gear.

LojOs DumOnt Reads Mems Characters
i'm FOOtgcar.
Lojos Dumont Of no. 4S Cass street,
one Of the wandering gypsy type, claims
novel gift, says the Chicago Inter-Ocean
by which he can read the character of
q man by examining shoe he has worn.
Dumont has made a study OF palmistry
and phrenoogy. claiming TO have learn
ed time-honored secrets on the subject
from a band of gypsies with which he
lived for a time in Austria. lie discover
ed the significance of the shoe while
working IN a repair shOeshOp I'm Germany
He had long held a theory that ones shoe
is nodded more by the walk then by the
shape Of the foot. and the walk cannot
be judged by mere observation, as IL can
by minute examination OF the shoe.
This idea so grew upon Dumont that
he made a study Of the various speci-
mems Of his craft He so perfected HIM
self that when a man called at the shop
for a pair Of shoes which, through error
had not been tagged, he Immediately
selected them from a number of others
aand presented them to the owner.
when a shoe is worn equally on the
heels and soles, the wearer has a straight
FORWARD CNdldtAtlf upil'SNf ANtNl AlilliNf
and he possesses prudence. Quite the
contrary is he who wears thin the soles
Of his boots, often wrinkling the toes
from much 'tip-toeing.' Such a subject
is deceitful, prying. dangerous as a Zoe,
and deadly in the role Of an enemy.
There are both men and women whose
shoes would indicate that they walk en-
,rely on their heels. With very little
wear their boots can boast only the
merest rim suggestion Of heel. They walk
carelesslv. with their thoughts I'm the
clouds. seeking the top of castles IN the
air. for they are invariably dreamers,
impractical, generous, and good-natured,
quick to do a kindness and slow TO re-
sent an injury.
The specimen least seen, says Dumont,
and most significant is the shoe worn
but few days or weeks, and yet pos
sessing every imprint Of hard service.
Some of these are often quite gray on
the sides and about the ankle. the toes
will be scuffed and even the soles, about
the edges, will present peculiar frayed
appearance The wearer Of this shoe IS
a rogue: he will stop at nothing. Dumont
claims that the class of men who commit
atrocious crimes for money wear out
their shoes in such manner
over the side?p asked an enthusiastic
subject Of the reader Of character.
s,rhev lack every instinct Of refine
ment." proclaimed the occult one. I'D
vantages of culture and learning have
never been theirs and they would resent
oyertures 10 better their condition.
cit is more difficult to read woman's
shoe than that of a man, as women often
cultivate their gait TO suit the changing
DEGREES Of fashion. \ woman's hand,
however is doubly expressive as a wo-
man Is more high-strung and the mark
ing Of the hand Is more distinct. Palmlsts
claim the record Of the brain Is tele-
graphed 10 the palm through the bra
chial nerve"
1t was when Dumont was mere child
! that ne became interested IN character
reading and began TO believe himself IN
possession Of unfailing instinct III regard
10 strangers. He was living with his
parents in Austria. his native home. one
night which was dark with rain clouds
a stranger came 10 the humble home and
asked 10 be lodged for the night, as the
town was small and the only inn crowd
ed The man was well dressed and OF
good address but as young Lojos regard
ed him from behind chair where he had
hidden at the sound Of the mans voice,
he cried Justify and begged his mother
to "send the bad man away The enid
was punished for his misoehavior. but
the next morning when the family aWoAe
1t was found that the guest hau departed
and taken with him the eiuer puhoht
months salary. which had h'eh io.heo UP
in an old-fashioned secretary III the Nv
ing-room.
Lojos was regarded by MS IaIhny the.s-
after as An ,mportant person, and his
studies dated from that time. He read
every available book on the subject and
Joined various bands of sypsies travel
ing through the country and claiming
knowledge of the sort. His mother was
Bohemian gypsy.
JutIfiahIc I.omicih".