FIRST AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED APRIL 1, 1997 Reference is made to the Executive Employment Agreement dated as of April 1, 1997 (the "Agreement") by and between J. Baker, Inc. and James D. Lee. Pursuant to paragraph 19 of the Agreement...

                                                        EXHIBIT 10.26


                                 FIRST AMENDMENT
                             TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                               DATED APRIL 1, 1997




     Reference is made to the Executive  Employment  Agreement dated as of April
1, 1997 (the  "Agreement")  by and  between  X.  Xxxxx,  Inc.  and Xxxxx X. Xxx.
Pursuant  to  paragraph  19 of the  Agreement  and in  order  to  amend  certain
provisions of the Agreement, the Agreement is hereby amended as follows:

         1.  Paragraph 6 of the  Agreement  is hereby  amended by  deleting  the
phrase  "ending on April 1, 1999" in the fifth line thereof and inserting in its
place the phrase "ending on April 30, 2000".

         2. All other terms of the Agreement shall remain unchanged and continue
in full force and effect.




X. XXXXX, INC.



By:/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx                     April 10, 1998
      -----------------------------          --------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx                            Date
President and
Chief Executive Officer


/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxx                             April 10, 1998
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Xxxxx X. Xxx                                 Date