The Portland daily press., 1890-10-15
COLOR BLIND.
How Chicago Cashier Became a
Wreck In Day.
detroit Free Press.


1t was in Chicago. He was standing on a
corner OF Clark and Madison streets, leaning
against lamp.post and looking at the
passers-by with the air of frendless man.
His appearance was decidedly seedy. His
face was bloated, his nose red and his eyes
watery. He caught sight of me. / turned my
face away, but 1t was too late. He saw that
ne mad aroused my curiosity, and he made
in my direction.
you look like man with a heart" he
said softly; you look like phianthrophist,
sir, behold an object for your charity"
II have no time -"
,"Ah. say, not So" he gurgled; I'VE must
always find time for good deeds in this world.
Behold your opportunity
1 hesitated. His breath was vile with
liquor, but his smooth tongue made me un-
decided. He caught me by button, and
suffered myself to be drawn into near hall
"Honored sir" he said with a plantive
shuttle, II am wreck, mentally and phys
ically. But was wealthy once Not many
years ago 1t was my wont to ride along these
streets In my own carriage, with coachman
ana a tiger, put WHEAT deal on the board
lost me my riches. From Michigan avenue |
turned to the environs of South Clark street
with the remnant OF my fOrtune-some 500
in my pocket The friends ofmy palmy days
passed without recognizing me, and i spent
worlds ingratitude. Then, impressed with
the fact that must do something or starye.
looked about me for an honest Occupation.
The proprietor Of restaurant observing
my qualifications to be above my condi ion.
made me his cashier. l worked for him one
day, and that day completely wrecked me.
was driven 70 drink, and you now see me
sofa man without character
III was Impossible to leave him without
parting with button, so | remained while
ne recounted the somewhat peculiar story
of his downfall.
"Yon are unwilling to accept my state
ment," he ventured, noting my caustic
smile: LET me tell you, sir, that fl rtunes
have been made In an hour and lost by three
strokes OF the ticker; had a. whole day in
"You see, when went to work In the res
taurant the proprietor hand me a paper Our
meal checks are printed in different colorsr
said he, and do not contain the price of the
meal: STUDY the paper and you will under.
1 looked at the memorandum and found
that white check meant &c. a blue check
lOc. a red check 15c, and so on up to a green
check enc, which stood for 81. posted myself
prices and began taking in checks and Civ
ing out change with the sang frold of an old
cashier and a confidence in myself that was
sublime. We had an unusually heavy day.
and at O'Clock that evering | had bushei
Dasket full OF assorted checks. The proprie-
tor came around to congratulate me on my
success as cashier, and while he was talk
Ing, gentleman presented red check and
50 bill. l gave him $1.S5 and showed the
pasteboard into the basket.
Hold up, said the proprietor, haven't
you made mistaken?
Guess not said |. showing my memoran-
dun under his nose, red, fifteen. He gave
me So and gave him $1S5'
green one.'
81 beg your pardon, said l, pulling It ont
OF the basket, If that amt red Iii eat it,
You'd better eat it, theD,' said he; L say
it's green
You're the one that's color blind he
replied. and he called in a third person who
positively swOre the check was green.
And so 1t was had never before known
that was color-blind, but it was fact, and
there had been giving change on red checks
when should have taken cash for green
ones. That days work put me in debt to
tne Iestaurant-keeper for trife over 500
de discharged me on the spot and took all
my clothes and personal property he could
get at to balance accounts. Even then /
owed him something, but he could do moth
ing more, and went straight to saloon and
poughtmy FIRST drink with my last dime.
From that time on every cent could beg or
borrow has gone for liquor until 10 / am be-
come wreck. o, kind sir you have never
Deen color-bllnd, you know not what IL is to
Struggle with this great ocular defeat, Have
fore 70 "
he released my button and raised both
hands impl0ringly
gave him quarter. no so much for him |
sell as for the pleasure his fabrication had |
aIIorded me, and passed meditativ ely on my |
way.