The second step was tested with the same
result; then the third and fourth; and, reflecting that appearances are
deceitful, and recollecting the rocking-stone at Gloucester,
Massachusetts, and the tower of Pisa, &c., the Individual shook off her
fears, and ascended rapidly. Being somewhat unfamiliar with the
etiquette of shoemaker's shop, she hesitated whether to knock or plunge
at once into the middle of things, but decided to err on the safe side,
and gave a very moderate and conservative rap. Silence. A louder
knock. The door rattled. Louder still. The whole building shook.
Knuckles filed a caveat. Applied the heel of the dilapidated boot in
her hand. Suffocated with a cloud of dust thence ensuing. Contemplated
the nature of things for a while. Heard a voice. A man called from a
neighboring turnip-field, "Arter Jake?"

"Yes, sir,--if he is a shoemaker" (to make sure of identity).

"Yes, well, he ain't to home."

"Oh."

"He's gone to Sonose."

"When will he be back, if you please?"

"Wall, I can't say for sartin. Next week or week after,--leastwise
'fore the fair. Got a job?"

"Yes, sir, but I can't very well wait so long. Do you know of any
shoemakers anywhere about?"

"Wall, ma'am, I do' know as I do. Folks is mostly farmers here.
There's Fuller, just moved, though. Come up from Exton yesterday.
P'r'aps he'll give you a lift. That's his house right down there.
'Taint more 'n half a mile."

"Yes, sir, I see it. Thank you."

Individual descends from her precarious elevation, and marches to the
attack of Fuller. A fresh-faced, good-natured-looking man is just
coming out at the gate. His pleasant countenance captivates her at
once, and, with a silent but intense hope that he may be the
shoemaker, she asks if "Mr. Fuller lives here."

"Well," replies the man, in an easy, drawling tone, that harmonizes
admirably with his face, "when a fellow is moving, he can't be said to
live anywhere. I guess he'll live here, though, as soon as the stove
gets up."

I reciprocated his frankness with an engaging smile, and asked, in a
confidential tone, "Do you suppose he would mend a shoe for me?"

I thought I would begin with a shoe, and, if I found him acquiescent, I
would mount gradually to a boot, then to a pair. But my little
subterfuge was water spilled on the ground.

"I don't know whether he would or not, but I know one thing."

"Well?"

"Couldn't if he wanted to. Ain't got his tools h