The bee., 1882-06-24
A Wonderful Blind Man.

Moses Schwartz, trunk manufac-
turer of Brooklyn, is totally blind, yet
he is proprietor of several trunk stores,
and is q prosperous business man, and
does business with many customers who
do not detect his misfortune. When he
was boy he ruined his eyes by putting
q match in pan of gunpowder, and
although his sight was ruined for life,
aud he was advised to spend his life In
an asylum for the blind, resented such
expressions of sympathy, and said that
he intended to make his way in the
world by means Of his remaining senses.
He was passing st. PauPs chuychyard
one day, and being 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. 81 am blind" he said,"
nd am not going to beg or steel. 1
think can stand here and earn u living
as you do. Now, tell me where can
buy stock"
The next day he was at the church
yard fence with small lot of goods,
and he at once found that, though his
sight was gone he could cry his wares
with good pair of lungs, and make his
fingers serve him in asserting money
and making change. For years he re-
mained familiar figure in Broadway.
He found that his sense of hearing
became most acute, and he acquired
sensitive touch. Having mechanical
turn, he began the manufacture of trunks
! in small way, and now he runs
factory. He can make trunk as we'll
SIS any of his workmen. He has de7ised
several things in trunk making, and he
ayers that one patented article now yield
ing good income to another was origi-
mated by him.
In walking the streets Mr.. Schwartz
uses no guide. He holds his head erect,
and carries cane with which he deftly
feels his way. His pace is slow, and he
seems to have no difficulty in getting
along. His firmness of manner and
dignifed bearing create space about
him, and persons who do not know his
blindness instinctively 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 a lady, and passes
on. SIT is foolish" he says, ''for q
blind man to have boy or a dog to
lead him. 1t teaches him dependence,
and, from what I can learn, men who
have guides do not get along as well as
l do"
"Are you never run over by vehicles"
Asked reporter.
"I have been once or twice. WAS
Knocked down by lady's pheton in
Schermerhorn street once, because I
miscalculated the distance of the vehicle
deadened the sound of the wheels. But
I have trick for saving myself when
I'm knocked down."
"What is thai?''
81 roll over and over Just as fast as I
can, sideways, until Tm sure I'm out of
danger of being crushed. Then I jump
to my feet, call out Pm all right, and
60 on my way"
"Few persons know that you are
blindf"
Eyes, that's true. My present wife
did not know it until after we got in
love with each other. go into COM
pany as much as / can, and as 1 can
talk and sing. I get along pretty well.
had, however, to tell my wife of my
infrmity on one occasion before We
were married, to excuse my awkward
ness in a dance. I bumped against
some of the Others in the figure so often
that they became angry, and had to
confess my blindness. I go to the
theatre very often, and nearly always
have front seat in the balcony. I'm
fond of the music, and I like comedy
very much"
iHow do you decide upon your stock
of leather goods"
SPY the sense of touch and the sense
of smell. can tell you all the differ
ent kinds of leather by sample-by the
oily feeling and smell. l never was
deceived yet. In fact, l get along so
we'll that some of my rivals have started
the story that am not blind-that
only pretend to be.