The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-12-27
SIGNS IN SHOES
Shoemaker Says They Indicate the
Character OF Tearers

Character or W carers
The following story by Jessie Leweliing
appears in the Chicago Inter Ocean:
Lojos Dumont of No. 43 Cass street, one
Of the wandering gypsy tribe, claims a
novel gift, BY which he can read the
character of man by examining a shoe
he has worn.
Dumont has made study of palmistry
and phrenology, claiming to have learned
time-honored secrets on the subject from
a band of gypsies with whom he lived
for time in Austria. He discovered the
significance of the shoe while working in
a repair shop in Germany. He had long
held a theory that ones shoe is nodded
more by the walk than by the shape of
the foot, and the walk cannot be judged
by mere observation, as it can by minute
examination of the shoe.
This idea so grew upon Dumont that he
made a study of the various specimens of
his craft. He so perfected himself 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 and pre-
scented them to the owner
when a shoe is worn equally on heels
and soles, the wearer has a straightfor-
ward character, honest, determined, and
he possesses prudence. Quite the con-
trary is ne who wears thin the soles of
his boots often wrinkling the toes from
much 'tip-toeing.' Such subject is de-
ceitful, prying, dangerous as a foe. and
deadly in the role of an enemy.
There ara bCtb r,ar,
shoes would indicate that they walk en-
tirely on their heels. With very little
wear their boots can boast only the
merest rim suggestion Of heel. They
walk carelessly with their thoughts in
the clouds. seeking the tops of castles in
the air. for they are invariably dreamers.
impractical, generous, and good-natured,
quick to do a kindness and slow to resent
an injury.
The specimen least seen, says Dumont,
and most significant. is the shoe worn
but few days or weeks. and vet pos
sessing every imprint Of hard service.
Some Of these are often quite gray on
the sides and about the ankle: the toes
VIII be scuffed, and even the soles. about
the edges, will present a 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 a manner
What about those who run their shoes
over on the side?" asked an enthusiastic
subject Of the reader of character.
'They lack every instinct Of refine
ment," proclaimed the occult one. "Ad-
vantages of culture and refinement have
never been theirs. and they would ,e-
sent overtures to better their condition.
1T 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 a 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. Palm
lists claim the record Of the brain Is teIe
graphed TO the palm through the brachial
nerve"
1t was when Dumont was a mere child
that he became interested in character
reading and began 20 believe himself in
possession Of unfailing instinct in regard
u strangers. Ia was living with his
t'tt AZ -At4Sta4t- MS native nome. One
night which was dark with rain clouds
stranger came to the humble home and
asked TO be lodged for the night as the
town was small and the only inn was
crowded. The man was well dressed and
Of good address, but as young Loios re-
gaCded him from behind a 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
child was punished for his 1nishehavior.
but the next morning when the family
awoke it was found that the guest had
departed and taken with him the elder
DUmont's months salary which had
been locked up in an old-fashioned secre-
tarv IN the living room.
Iojos was regarded by his family
thereafter as an important person. and
his studies dated from that time Re
read eve-v available book on the subject
and Joined various bands Of gypsies trav-
cling through the country and claiming
knowledge % the sN-t EIis n ashe- MAS a
Bohemian gypsy.