The Agony of Fashionable Feet

Poor little, pinched, tired feet! How my heart ached for them, as I saw them encased in snug, trim, buttoned boots. They were on the feet of a little girl four or five years of age. The night train had just reached its destination, and early morning found us very tired and sleepy as we stepped to the platform. The child had evidently worn those new, tight boots all night, and was now so stiff and lame that each step was a distortion of her dear little feet and ankles. How she must have suffered during the long, long hours of that night of travel! I could but contrast her appearance with that of a little boy by my side, whose shoes were old, and easy, and comfortable. I knew that he had enjoyed a nice night's sleep, with day clothing laid aside, and robed in his night dress as at home. Now he was bright and fresh, and well fitted for the day of travel before him, while the other little one was just the reverse. I thought: 'When will parents learn common sense, and dress their children for comfort?' All day long, as I journeyed on, and many times since, have I seen in imagination, the poor, little, pinched feet, as I saw them on that morning. Tight shoes—what misery they give! Who of us has not worn them, and suffered in them, and felt as though we could not endure them a moment longer? How our tempers have been turned, and peevish or angry retorts given, all on account of tight shoes! Away with tight shoes, both for ourselves and all under our care. They are a deadly foe to comfort and happiness. Let us also be charitable to the failings and faults of others; for if not caused by tight shoes on the feet, they may be pinched somewhere, either in body or mind. There are aches and pains, secret trials and disappointments, that may be called the tight shoes of the soul; and how often we wear them perversely, suffering anguish when we have only to throw off the bondage, the desire for conventional trimness of effect, and, shod appropriately and sensibly, step forth cheerily on our way.