Possible Clues:

• Tough old bird’s lost after terrible tale
• Article seized by master from kid, perhaps
• Receive knowledge about article of tanner's making?
• Receive news about article made of tanned hide
• Discover about the stuff of old boots?
• Study the content of tanned skin
• Get to know about article from kid
• Find out about the hide
• Like an old boot with broken heart needing man's embrace