Bisbee daily review., 1917-07-22
THE SAD, SAD STORY OF A PAIR OF
 WHITE SHOES

Every man has a cross to bear. Ine
 newspaper mans particular cross at
 this time is a pair of white shoes,
 They must have been made by the
 devil, these shoes, just to destroy one mans happiness in this world below and his hope of salvation in the world hereafter. But listen:
 The newspaper man bought these shoes in a large city before he came to Bisbee. They were as white as snow and looked as pure and innocent of evil as a lamb in the fold. The shoe dealer swore that no better pair of shoes ever came from the cunning hands of the maker. So the newspa- per man bought them and carried them away with much pride.
 On his way to Bisbee he stopped to attend a reception given in his honor. It was a hot night, and therefore ap- propriate for palm beach clothes, Pan anna hat and white shoes. Arrayed thus, like another Solomon in all his glory. the humble newspaper man went to that reception in state. But alas for the vanities of the flesh. Even as he walked across the floors of the chambers of the mighty those white shoes began to get in their deadly work.
 They squeaked
 Yea. they squealed. The newspaper man blushed and began to tiptoe, but still these devils own shoes sang their sad, weird song in the night. The rest of the evening was ruined for this guest. Every time he moved these white shoes heralded his coming like brass band marching before a pa rade.
 On the train coming to Bisbee, every time the newspaper man walked down the aisle of Pullman the porter came running to see what was wanted and the rear end brakeman got his red lantern ready for emergency use. The steward in the dining car could hear those shoes coming the fourth car back and always had the meal served by the time the wearer of the shoes arrived.
 Arrived in Bisbee, these shoes took on renewed zest from the bracing mountain air. They whined like dry axle. After two days of determined effort the newspaper mans nerves be gan to give way under the strain and he took counsel as to what he had best do. Some one advised soaking the soles in water over night. This sounded good, and the victim of the shoes proceeded to carry it into ef- feet Next morning he put on pair of shoes that looked like Easter eggs. The water had passed through the red leather of the soles and on upl the canvas adorning it in four distinct shades of red as it went. But the shoes did not squeak
 To the shining stand went the man with the white shoes. The negro here was an old St. Louis bootblack and a master at his profession. He washed the shoes in soapsuds and whitened them with his preparations. The re- suit was, the bright red tints turned to purple when the whitening dried out. Back to the bootblack went the man. this time carrying the cursed shoes in his hand. The St. Louis negro shook his head over them Them shoes is bewitched, boss" he declared, but I'll try gasolene and peroxide on 'em. Gimme a day and I'll fix 'em."
 Next day a tired and sore negrol from St. Louis turned over pair of shoes that were neither fish nor fowl. They had no color that a man might i name Best l could do, boss" de clared the bootblack. De charge am fifty cents. and cheap at dat"
 And then the shoes. having dried out, began to squeak worse than they had ever squeaked before. Rested, re- and restored, their vail rang out on the air and the echo came back again from the hills.
 Once, years ago. when the newspa- per man was a small boy, he had a pair of shoes sent him by his grand mother for Christmas that squeaked as loud as the whistle on an engine. He was proud of that squeak then. Never since has he had a pair of shoes that complained to the heavens every time he took a step on his way down the path that leads eventually to the tomb. He did not suppose they made shoes any more. No one ever has them What is the trouble? What old sin remains like a ghost that will not lie? Why this burden, this cross. this curse?
 Any one knowing a cure for shoes that squeak or a sovereign remedy that will wash the stains on these shoes away and make them white again. please call at Review office and receive liberal reward.
 Goinn Good