Under what circumstances does Feld first notice Max?

From the story, it appears that Feld first noticed Max when the young man was still in high school. Feld had then been greatly impressed by Max's commitment to his education; during his high school years, the young scholar had faithfully taken the subway to school every morning without fail. Now, in his college years, Max can be found resolutely trudging his way to class, both in winter as well as in summer.

When Feld first noticed Max, his own circumstances had been straitened and his financial prospects poor. His current situation remains the same. We get the impression that Feld has always regretted his lack of an education. As the story progresses, we realize that, bar some miracle, Feld will likely remain an impoverished shoemaker for the rest of his working years. Because he lacks education, Feld cannot rise above his miserable circumstances. His only hope for future happiness is to ensure that his daughter, Miriam, can escape the ghetto of her youth. 

So, it is in destitute circumstances when Feld first notices the young man; he thinks that Max is the man he ought to have been, but sadly, never will be. Instead, Feld tries to live vicariously through his daughter and nourishes the hope that Max can be part of his plan to improve Miriam's prospects.