Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1911-07-14
Buying
Shoes

SuOS department Lucy were TeIleVtU
to see a man respond to the call OF
the fioorwalker and come toward
them at once with an expectant smile.
His little black eyes peered at them
interestedly through his silver
trimmed spectacles and he adjusted
the garnet stickpin in his tie as II
anxious to create good impression.
Something L can show you, mad
am?" he asked.
Yes"
Here" he said, joyfully. "Be
seated"
Then he stood for a moment, sud-
denly nervous and hesitating. The
floorwalker pointed with his pencil
to an empty stool. Reassured, the
young man dragged it over.
What size do you wear. madam"
81 don't know. Isn't the number in
the shoe?"
"Oh, yes," he said, quickly. "Oh,
yes, the number is in the shoe, but
was just wondering what size you
usually wear"
".
was ministering to the customer on
the left of them handed him a meas
uring stick and he put 1t to use. Then
he stood with the stick in one hand
and the shoe in the other.
"Now-a-what kind Of a shoe were
you wanting, madam"
II want a walking shoe-a good,
serviceable shoe, but not heavy
sole"
Yes. Now, what shaped toe? Did
you have anything special in mind?"
why, you might let me see few
styles" she said rather briskly Il
don't just know"
humor when she has to buy shoes.
Customers around and about them
completed their transactions with sad
dening dispatch; new ones came and
went; the congestion of the morning
disappeared; still their clerk did not
come. James mother watched the
hands of the clock until she could
stand 1t no longer.
Well go!" she said.
You can't" Jane chuckled. He
has your shoe"
Then you'll have to go and find
him"
Ssh! Here he is now!"
His hair was disordered and his
brow held the dew of labor, but he
smiled afresh. In his hands he bore
one pair of shoes.
This is very popular little shoe. :"
he said, holding one up and breathing
hard as he looked at it.
Try 1t on" said James mother,
grimly, thrusting forth foot.
AS If to make up for lost time, the
hook flourished rapidly over each but
ton until James mother protested.
TOO tight" she said, pressing her
lips together.
Exactly. It's the buttons, madam.
Now, see," he said, smoothing the
vamp with the palm of his hand. 9th
erwise it's perfect fit We can easily
change the buttons, and" he leaned
forward -"that-that's a
very popular little SHOE"
Indeed? 1t looks rather ordinary
to me- Suppose you let me see some
thing In patent leather. And if you
could hurry, please, I'd be very CRATE
full"
Well" he smiled, almost sadly,
II don't believe we have any patent
feathers"
The time was passing. How long
would 1t take to have those buttons
changed?" demanded James mother
About three minutes, madam"
Then l suppose I'll have to take
these"
When he had marked the shoes he
set them gently at his side and, from
what seemed the very depths of his
heart, drew forth new cash book.
Between the crisp pages of this book
he adjusted the tracing paper with ex-
asperating precision and with still
greater pains he wrote in small ver-
tical hand.
I'm just moment now," he said,
and departed.
Jane and her mother are still won
dering through what eliminating ex-
perience he went during the ten min
utes that ensued, for when they saw
him again he was perspiring heavily
and mopped his forehead with large
handkerchief. He did not return to
them. however.
81 have to go to lunch" they heard
him entreat the man who had given
him the measuring stick. will you at
tend to my customers?"
The other salesman came to the
mother and daughter moment later.
Il have your parcel" he said, "and
your change"
my shoe!" gasped James mother
suddenly as he was about to go. MY
other shoe!"
Il beg your pardon" he said, inquir-