A little stitching at the top of the back
Will make it look quite fair.
We stopped stitching, you remember well,
Before we reached the back,
When on the _quarters_ we did dwell,
And left a vacant _track_.

[Illustration]

That track now is filled up well,
Yet we do hold it fast,
Knowing that a time will come
To put it on the _last_.

Before that time is reached, however,
The _eyelets_, bear in mind,
Should each be put in proper place,
So that the _holes_ we find
Will let the _strings_ pass easily through,
When _punched_ and _set_ in straight;
We have now the _upper_ for our _shoe_,
Do try and make the _mate_.

[Illustration]

This _upper_ completed by the past,
Has made it much a treasure,
For we must also have a _last_,
And fit it up to measure.

Since we have kept our seat so long,
A change may rest our back;
So at the _bench_ we'll take our stand,
Close by our friend, the _jack_.

The Bailey jack is the name of this
One, screwed down upon the _post_;
For general use it will not miss,
But serve our end the most.

[Illustration]

_Lasts_ are made of many woods,
Of ash, of oak, and maple;
Well seasoned is this stock of goods,
Some kinds are very staple.
Some are made with _iron plates_,
To _clinch_ the screw or nail,
But when we would a peg shoe make,
To use these plates would fail.
Made, also, for men and boys,
Women and girls, for each
Has on this _art_ a special claim,
Their feet to train and teach.
To dwell here longer would not do,
The last we want's in the hand;
We'll measure the same as we did the foot,
And thus our _trade_ command.
The length, you know, is measured first;
Two _sizes_ added on
Will make the toe so comfortable,
We should like to sing a song.

[Illustration]

The heel we reach in perfect order,
And leave the measure neat;
Some shoes are made which look much broader
When put upon the feet.

[Illustration]

The _instep_ now we see again,
And measure as before,
One-half inch off will answer us,
No less, and not much more.
For if we do we are apt to find
The place where shoes do pinch;
Across the _ball_ we're now inclined,
Still measuring by the inch.

[Illustration]

This is at times a tender spot:
Bunions develop there;
And when they do 'tis not forgot,
We m