Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-07-26
A Blind Manufacturer.

Moses Schwartz, a trunk manufactur
er oi Brooklyn, is totally blind, yet he
is proprietor Of several trunk stores,
and is a prosperous business man, aud
does business with many customers who
do not detect his misfortune. When he
was boy he ruined his eyes by put
ting n match in a pan OF gunpowder,
and although his sight was ruined for
life, and he was advised 10 spend his
life IN an insane asylum for the blInd,
be resented such expressions Of sym
pathy, and said that he intended to
make his way into the world by means
ofremaining senses. He was passing
st. Paul's churchyard one day, anil be.
ing attracted by the noise made by the
'fakirs' who stand by the iron fence to
sell their wares, he halted and opened
conversation with one of them. / am
blind he said, aud am not going to
beg or steal. think can stand here
aud earn living as you do. Now, tell
me where can buy stock
The mex: day he was at the church,
yard fence with a small lot Of goods,
and be at once found that, though hi:
sight was gone, be could cry his wares
with good pair Of lungs, and make
his fingers serve hin in asserting mon
ey and making change. For years be
remained familiar figure in Broadway.
He found that his sense OF hearing be-
came most acute, AID he acquired a
sensitive touch. Having mechanical
turn he began the manufacture ol
trunks in small way, and nov he runs
a factory. He can make trunk as we'll
as any of his workmen. He has devils
ed several things in trunk making, and
he AYERS that one patented article now
yielding good income 10 another was
originated BY him.
In walking the street Mr.. Schwartz
uses no guide. He holds his head erect,
and carries a cane with which he deity
feels his way. His pace is slow, and
he seems to have no difficulty 10 getting
along. His Grmness Of manner and
dignified bearing create a space about
him, aud persons who do not know his
blindness instnctively turn aside to let
him pass. If by chance he strikes
against any one he politely begs par
don, touches his hat, if the collision
chances to be with lady, and passes
on. 'Iti foolish, he says, for bllnc
man to have boy or a dog to lead
him. 1t teaches him dependence, and
from what can learn, men who have
guides do not get along as we'll as do
Are you never run over by vehl'
cles p
i have been once or twice. L wa;
knocked down by lady's phaeton ir
Sehermerhorn street once, because L
mlsca lculated tue distance Of The vehi-
Gle on account Of the tar pavement
which deadened the sound ofthe wheels
But have trick for savisg myself
when l IN knocked down.
What is that?'
Il roll over and over just as fast as |
can, sideways, until I'm sure Pm out
OF danger of being crushed. Then
jump to my feet, call out Pm all right,
and 90 on my wav.'
Few persons know that you ar
blind p
Yes, that's true. Ny present VIII
did not know it until after we sot II
love with each other. 1 go into com
pany as much as can, and as ca
talk and sing, get along pretty we'll
had, however, 10 tell my wife OF ms
infirmity on one occasion before w
were married, to excuse my awkward
uess in a dance. l bumped agans
some of the others in the figure so olteI
that they became angry, and | to con
fess my blindness. Igo to the theatr
very often, anu nearly always have a
front seat in balcony. I'm fond oil tn
music, and like comedy very much
How do you decide upon your s'oc'
of leather goOds?'
by the sense OF touch and sense
smell. can tell YOU all the different
kinds of leather by sample-by the oil.
feeling and smell. never was decelv'
ed yet. In fact,iI get al1nI 50 wei
that some Of my rivals have started TN
story that am not bhnd-that l onI
pretend to be-