THE LITTLE BOOTMAKER.


Young Franky's boots were sent to be mended. The girl came back and said
they would not be done for a week; the cobbler was so busy.

Annie, of the same family, who knew nothing of this, sent hers, and said
they must be done by the next day.

The cobbler said if they brought him two pairs again to do at once, he'd
knock their heads together with his lasts, and then give them a good
"welting." He was the only cobbler in the village, or he would not have
been so independent.

Franky had often watched the boot-maker at his work; so he coaxed his
father to let him have some money to buy tools and leather, in order
that he and his sisters might play at making boots and shoes.

He set to work, and they had such fun!

Annie came and asked young master cobbler what time it was; and Franky
pretended to hit her on the head with a last, and said it had "just
struck one." Then he measured her, and cut out his vamps, sides,
linings, welts, soles, and heels. Next he made a soft-like sock of
leather. This he turned inside out, and did his best to sew on a welt.

The boot was turned out right again, and then he sewed on a thin sole,
and over this nailed another. The heel he formed by fastening little
bits of leather one upon the other.