THE FATE OF ICIODORUM. 2O/ 



industry is the history of- all the others, for in one 

 way or another all experienced the same changes 

 and conditions. 



The profits were large at first, and very soon the 

 Issoire Citizens' Foot-wear Manufacturing Associa- 

 tion had no longer a monopoly in boots and shoes. 

 The original concern still retained the city contract 

 for supplying boots to the laboring-men, but the 

 others found the general trade no less profitable. 



But soon an unexpected decline in boot con- 

 sumption took place. People perversely wore 

 their old boots, which had long passed the season 

 of presentability. The children went barefooted 

 or shuffled around in sabots. Even worse, many 

 parents bought for their children a new kind of 

 copper-toed shoe, which was made in Clermont, 

 a shoe that could never wear out at all ; one of 

 the worst possible things for the shoe-trade in any 

 country ! 



When it was found that boots and shoes enough 

 to last for five years were for sale in the shops, it 

 was evident that something must be done. The 

 original concern decided to wait. It closed its fac- 

 tory and discharged its workmen. But some of 

 the other firms could not wait. They must have 

 their money back or go into bankruptcy. Shoes 

 began to come down. Every shoe-dealer was 

 alarmed, and a meeting was held in the Cafe de 

 la Comedie to see what could be done. It was 

 decided to lower the prices and then to maintain 

 them. Boots were rated at fifteen francs per pair, 

 and shoes and slippers in proportion. But one 

 dealer could not keep his promise. He had a very 



