The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-23
CHARACTER IN SHOES.
French Scientist Reads Temperament
 In Footwear.

From the Kansas City Star.
 Prof Jean Degres, a Frenchman of science, has elaborated a new theory of character reading. He does not de- pend upon the stars or upon the lines of the hand nor yet upon the backs of the hands. the bumps on the head or the contour of the features. He studies the soles of your shoes and in their condition discovers the secrets of your temperament, your habits of thought, and lays bare your pet idiosyncracies.
 This newly evolved science is purely a hobby with Prof. Degres. It Is not "prac- ticed" in the sense that palmistry, astrol- ogy and clairvoyanee are. It has become a passion with this sober minded scholar and if he consents to read your soes' it Is not for money but to add to his im- mense mental store of exhibits"
 ''The study of life time," he said re- gently, has taught me the true relation ship existing between the soul of man and the sole of his shoe sro me people are like an open book, everything about them is written as clearly in the condition of their footweaer as though l could pene- trate into their innermost minds. For in stance, a man who wears the soles of his shoes near the toe, the heel and the other half showing no evidence of contact with the earth Is one to be suspicious of-an unfailing sign that the bearer is one who undertakes prcarious and unlawful agreements and one who, if caught would not hesitate to use a weapon to conceal his crime.
 When. the ball of the sole is the first part to give way" continued the profes- sor, that person Is invariably podder one who will do the drudgery of life slow ly, methodically and uncomplainigly from morning until night The reasoning capacity In this individual will be limited Where only the right side of the right she is worn it is immediately apparent that the possessor is one who Is often en- gagged in weighty matters; one who has to solve profound problems like lawyer, a scientist or a specialist The constant turning over of the right foot produces this wear on one side of the sole
 Then there is the individual who walks with the heels somewhat close together. the toes pointed out in opposite directions, walking with sort of a shuffling gait AL ways distrust him. He is wary, keen and utterly interruptions. If a bargain is to be made he will surely get the better of you. The optimist is shown in the equal wear on both heel and toe. He springs, as 1t were, happily and convincinly over the ground in such a manner as to first strike the heel and then the top of the Sole
 Tn the workingman of lower order, where muscle instead of brain is required and where Ihe liquor purchased is of the cheapest, the effect is always seen in the irregularity of the limbs so familiar to us all In a case of that kind the sole shows irregular fluctuations. In the case of the clubman who is a steady drlnker with no apparent effect in the gait the wear is only lightly shown at the heels. The criminal, the opium eater and the Paris Apache all have decided and dis tinct signs which proclaim their occupa- tion to the reader of shoeology,' as I call it.
 T never remember the time when l did not associate shoes worn by people as in dicators of their traits. AS a boy l did not have any theory on the subject nor could 1 understand my feelings but when first meeting a new school friend I intu- ivtively directed my eyes toward his shoes and my Judgment was mentally passed whether he was good fellow, one to be
 square, as the boys say, and whether wanted him for chum. Knotted shoe lace strings rusty feathers caused by the lack of blacking, always affected me in an uncanny way"