My only duty then in town was to get up our cows that we let run in the streets nights, hoping they would find some neighbor’s garden gate open. I used to get them up and milk them, but going into this firm as a shoemaker was such a big surprise.
I told all the young men around town and some of the old ones that thought I drew too many pictures; in fact, I told a few girls that thought because I did not have pocket change enough to take them to dances, that I wasn’t much. I went home early, didn’t tell Father, because he didn’t want me to work; just wanted me to study faces and draw.
I didn’t sleep much; turned and tossed until four o’clock, then got up and went to Simeral’s shop. I thought of the cows, but didn’t get them up; in fact, didn’t have time and didn’t think it would look dignified. Simeral came about nine, and let me in, and before he had the key out of the door I was into a roll of red morocco, starting on some boots that would have sold even before they had been finished. He came to me and said, “Homer, there ain’t a boot in this shop I would trust you with now, but I saw a feller the other day with two and
