Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-11-12
The CObbler

face and the cobbler is stopped in the
shoulders. So is We pale, for the mat
tor Of that. All OF his days are spent
In his basement shop-which you 60
down four steps 10 reach. There are
S-ndows IA font. but they have not
been washed fof so long that not
much light comes through them. The
cobbler works by gas light, and ne
W aid need It anyway to heat his
wab. Day in and day out he SITS
stopped upon his stool and hammers
and sews and pats and taps at his
mending Of shoes and boots.
Sometimes he siGgs. Not often, as
you are apt to lose time. when you
sing. Once ] had a talk with him
willie he Strengthened a Reel on my
footwear. You see. was pretty poor
myself and had not an extra pair of
heavy shoes.
Yah" said the cobbler, 81 work.
Dat is nuddiags. Work is fine. !
come here at seven when business
is goot,~
How late at night?" l esked idly.
The cobbler stuck a three cornered
piece Of leather on the heel of my
shoe. He thrust in a long little nail
and hit its head with smart tap or
two with his hammer There were
steaSs and cloudy spots of dirt on his
labor pale face. I could see that his
arms were thin where hts sleeves were
rolled up. Wien he looked up no
paused in his toll.
How late? On, nine-when bust
ness is goot. 1etely it is bad-very
bad"
You go home earlier?"
"Yah--six, seven" A light glowed
in his eyes. You could see it creeping
In HE nothing l can tell. for there is
no otter light that Is comparable.
Oro.never sees n pair OF steadier'brown
eys.. And he checked softly
De kids dey like I come home
.wEeA 1t Is six O'Clock"
rom "a great piece of sole leather
! cut another slice with his sharp
md shining 3Cnfe. His eyes were
upon his work once more.
DE kids too young to know when
businafs Is goot." he said briefly.
'Yes,e; day. make one dollar and
tw nt,SlRse cent OATS no goot when
" naVs Eve to find eatin's."
He SssImered away again with mar
Tele5Es dexterity. Did you ever watch
q. so'lb1er at work? Only years and
years of labor bring such skill. It is
/ dip and carve, pat and hammer, q
bit of blacking, and 10! your heel is
straight The cobbler has made YOU
comfortable and you have paid him
IL cents, maybe. You go your way
anJ he tolls in his shop.
"Sleepin's. too" he said. "Giur rent
st Is nine dollars. There is meat mt
;oratnes and clothes and"
1 Shoes %"
"Ynh Shoes. l buy cheape II a
6an ! Inst.te., Sixty collar a mohtA il
cost ,..''f
Why should his taee grow sa' from
ne weight Qe his thoughts?. liz
smi''d. buk 81 wss wan smile thai
mW his SfEt more apparent ana n
pa 1r more plain. Not at ne h'
lotiked, but away somewhere, to tba
p .ce where every one looks When th'
Life page that is open before one .
not quite plain.
Cad" fba SAID "Dat's little on,
dollar and .we3tv-five cent. Yah. II.
little"
Hammer hammer tan. tan. cir
clip. suretv his knife is sbarp. h
light ia mt go good. either Ten
twelve. fOs,rteen hours. OF cours hi
shoulders are narrow and his bacl
crookeA. Hammer. clip. clA Nc
never does he succepd in gettir p III
vax srI dirt from his hands. Yo
cAS tell his trade when he is at ,hurcl
| o. Sunday. Gin. clip Oh. lie is
patie e creat,r e-the eob5ler--but hi
\ p5 s. ,ce it II not the patience of nee
essitvF
i"co~s oh. es he said nnproyingl,
"Eyr go,tt ~
was W - -e -.e''-.' @ - o. ~ =.
ine q us,' 20. Se,S'' 1-,'''-'I =,
- eo-'sa y i' 49, saS,a W. ',,..iSas ps'lS !, :
the answar! Oh. you weaderful col
| af oil nffl