Revealed by the Boots.

Otago Witness, Issue 2362, 1 June 1899, Page 61

Revealed by the Boots.

"I am so fooh'sh as to pretend to read character from the footwear of my customers," said a bootmaker, "but the way that boots and shoes are worn when-they come back for repairs does give a little clue as to their owner's identity.

"Now, a boot with the heel worn like this (a) usually belongs to a man who has to *!o a deal o c walking, and who thus gets sufficiently tired to prevent his walking 'in style.' He comes down heavily on the outer edge of the heel, and often wears it away by not lifting his feet high enough. -x, "Volunteers and oVaers, a ic-ustomed to drill

and straight marching often wear their boots evenly away, as shaded on outline of the sole and heel (b).

"Boots that have been used for cycling commonly bulge outwards over the sole (c). When this is pronounced, it is well to have boots made with a wide welt ; only, while keeping the welt wide all round the boot, trim it away to the actual too in front (d). This makes the foot look smaller than would otherwise bo tho ca3e.

"A great mistake is made by letting young girls wear high-heeled boots and shoes. Maybe their ankles are not strong, and then either tho heel is worn to one side or it remains level on the ground and the 'upper' is pressed outwards (c) or inwards, as the case may be, over it."