Reading And Remembering

He Had Good Jeans!  By Beth Beutler

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¹     Note: this story is loosely based on a legend regarding Levi Strauss and his first pants that became very popular because of their strength. It should not be construed as complete fact.
 ²     "I can't believe you only have canvas left," muttered the miner. "I wish you had some pants. Our pants don't last long in this job."
 ³     Levi began to think. As a seller of dry goods, Levi always wanted to know what people might buy. He knew he would make money if he had items people wanted. The miners had bought nearly everything he had. All that was left was some canvas, good for making tents.
 ⁴     The man walked away without buying the canvas. As Levi rolled up the heavy fabric, he began to think. "I wonder if this material would work as a pair of pants." He felt the rough edges. "It may have the strength miners need."
 ⁵     Levi quickly carried the bolt to his wagon. He was excited now. He leaped up to the seat and urged his horses at a faster pace than usual.
 ⁶     "Jacob!" Levi shouted, almost falling off his wagon when he arrived at the shop of his friend, a tailor who made clothing.
 ⁷     Jacob Davis came out on the porch. "What is it, Levi?"
 ⁸     "What do you think of making heavy duty pants out of this material?" Levi called over his shoulder as he pulled out the canvas.
 ⁹     "Pants out of canvas? Why?"
 ¹⁰     "Because the miners need strong work clothes."
 ¹¹     "Hmm. I have never thought of that. It would take some heavy thread, and may take a bit longer to sew, but you may have something here. Let me work with it."
 ¹²     "Thanks, friend," Levi replied, handing over the canvas. "Do you think you can have some tomorrow?"
 ¹³     "Tomorrow!" the tailor gasped. "How about Friday?"
 ¹⁴     Levi grinned. "Okay."
 ¹⁵     On Friday, Levi arrived at Jacob's store bright and early. The bell above the door tinkled as Levi charged into the shop.
 ¹⁶     "I knew you'd be here early. What do you think?"
 ¹⁷     Levi fingered the pants. He expected them to be stiff, but they weren't too bad. As if he read Levi's mind, Jacob said, "I soaked them overnight to see if they would soften."
 ¹⁸     "This is good work, Jacob. Let's see how they sell!"
 ¹⁹     On Saturday when Levi took his wagon to the normal place, the men came to see his goods. Levi hung the pants from the top of the wagon.
 ²⁰     "What are those?" asked the men.
 ²¹     "They are work pants. I call them Levi's," he said with a grin. "I'm taking orders."
 ²²     Five men placed orders that day, and Levi had Jacob make ten pairs. All ten pairs sold the next week. By the week after that, the word had spread. Soon the pants were made of denim cloth instead of canvas. The strength and comfort of "Levis" became well-known. Jacob and Levi sold pants for a long time. Levi's became so popular that Levi Strauss became a millionaire. His pants are still sold today.
He Had Good Jeans!

1.   Which of these events happened last?   Levi Strauss took orders for heavy-duty work pants.   A miner complained that his pants wore out too quickly.   Jacob sewed work pants.   Levin Strauss became a millionaire.	2.   According to this legend, what were the original Levi's made out of?
3.   What was Levi Strauss's occupation?	4.   What phrase best describes dry goods?   Flour and rice   Items that do not need to be in the refrigerator   Clothes and fabric   None of the above
5.   What was the cause of Levi Strauss becoming a millionaire?	6.   In your opinion, could this legend really be true? Why or why not?
7.   Levi Strauss grew wealthy because he met a need. Which of the following phrases best describes this concept?   What goes up must come down.   You get what you pay for.   You have to spend money to make money.   The law of supply and demand affects business.	8.   What is a name we use today for Levi's?