The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-11-03
Wonderful Touch.

This about a blind man who work
for man who is also blind and does
work for which men who can sec are
we'll paid. The blind man who does
the work does it as well as man with
eyes, and he never makes a mistake.
He depends entirely on his sense Of
touch, which is extraordinarily well
developed.
Away back in war times r. j. Lock
wood went to the front. lie was a
good soldier until he lost his sight.
\ rife ball put out one eye and the
shock and concussion so affected the
other that it was destroyed. Totally
blind. Mr.. Lockwood came back to his
old home, and for time was discour-
aged. Then he decided that there
were things that he could do to earn
a livelihood. lie set up store and
dealt in men $ mcrchandisc 1T Buda,
Ill. Fate was kind to him at last and
he prospcrcd. Time went on. and his
employees were faithful to the man
who had lost his most precious sense
while fighting for Il most righteous
cause.
The man who was the buyer for Mr..
Lockwood was and is j. Occhslcy.
He worked for Mr.. Lock wood for many
years and was one Of the most impor-
tant OF his employees. But one day
misfortune came to him Oddly
enough, it struck at lis eyes. lie was
laid low with nervous aiiliction, and
when lie was able to be told Of it the
doctors announced to him that he was
to go through life in the same condi-
ton as his employer. His sight was
gone and never would be restored.
Finally Mr.. Occhsley was able to
leave his room. lie was not rich. and
the illness had made docp hole in
his store Of savings. The old prob
lem of keeping the wolf from the door
was to be met once more, but this time
under terrible handicap. In the
hour Of his most trying experience,
his old employer camo to him and the
men went TO the old store. Mr..
Oechsley knew the place by heart.
He was at home there, even he could
not see, and es the days went on he
realized that all was not gone, even if
his sight was lost. He found that he
could tell rs Of old the difference that
lie III the materials.
His hands seem to have been given
an extra share of cunning, and in
measure became his sight lie prac-
ticcd and grew more expert. His
whole energy was thrown into the
work he had put himself to do, and in
n short time it was found that as
buyer Of goods he was almost rs good
rs before the calamity overlook him.
Mr.. Oechsloy was in the city yes
tcrday. The merchants and jobbers
with whom he deals know him. They
would not take advantage of him even
if they could. And they al, admit
that they could not if they would
The hands Of this man are as good
and even better in their way than the
eyes Of most men lie tells al about
a piece Of goods, no matter what it is,
by feeling the texture and finish. lie
is considered to be first class buyer,
and when merchants say this of him
they add that they do not take into
consideration the fact that he is blind
in passing their Judgment of his abili-
ty.
The other blind mantle employer
is thoroughly satisfied with the
work done by the one who secs with
his hands. The store is prospering,
and the men who play the biggest
part in it are happy Chicago Times
Herald.