The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-07
STORIES OF C. B. R0USS.

A recently published article on Mr..
Rouss said:
One of his peculiarities was to pay
his employees every night. At the close
of business at o'clock, winter and
summer, the clerks, porters and others
on the payroll would go to the cash
Ter and receive their days wages in an
envelope, so that when Mr. Rouss
closed his store at night he owed no
man a dollar. ~
He was always the first to arrive
in the morning and was found daily
at his desk before I. lie was always
the last. except the Waterman, to
leave the building at night, and, al
though he was blind and had many
millions of dollars, he put in twelve
hours of solid work six days in the
week.
MIR. Rouss considered one week
sufficient time for all his customers in
the country to receive their purchases,
and ne expected the goods to be paid
for as soon as they reached their des-
tination. City customers were requir-
ed to pay cash. He burned his ledger
years ago, and afterward carried on
his enormous business, amounting to
many millions a year. with only two
bookkeepers, who simply recorded the
purchases of out-of-town customers
and credited them with, the pay when
it was received.
A fellow was fool enough to trust
me when first came to New York, and
1 trusted Others said Mr. Rouss one
day. L smashed all to pieces; owed
$4,000, paid it up dollar for dollar, new
er trusted anybody again and never
permitted anybody to trust me.
Mr.. Rouss sight began to fail in
1892 and within three years it failed
entirely. Then he made an offer to
give $1,O00,000 to the person who could
restore his sight. AS result of the
offo. he received thousands of appli-
cations by letter and, in person from
Quacks and fanatics, divine healers,''
second sight-seers" and others who
wanted permission to practice upon
him.
Scientists, doctors and specialists ex-
hausted their skill, but in vain. The
eye specialists said that Mr.. Rouss was
suffering from paralysis of the optic
nerve and for that there was no known
cure.
1t was impossible for him to submit
himself to all the various treat
ments" which he thought might be
worth trying. He. therefore, hired
another blind man, James J. Martin,
who also suffered from the complaint
that afflicted Mr.. Rouss and who agreed
to be a subject for experiments MIR.
Rouss for many months paid Martin
Sc week for his unique services.
Il am too busy a man." said Mr.
Rouss at the time, Ito allow myself 10
be experimental upon by every one
who comes along That is why l have
engaged Mr.. Martin as a substitute.
As his affection is Identical with my
own l presume that the man who can
restore his sight can do as much FOR
me.
MY sight is now almost entirely
gone. If it were not for your voice L
could not tell whether l was talking
TO man or a woman. The only thing
visible to me this moment are those
huge pillars. ! can just discern their
hazy outlines" and Mr. Rouss pointed
to the supports directly before him.
Il have been successful in my bust
ness and have accumulated wealth. but
to get back my eyesght / would glad
ly return to the poverty of my boy
hood and as an old man begin life over
again. l have experimental with many
cures and l am willing, through my
substitute, to experiment with many
more. I have strong hopes that the
hypnotist will be able to do what he
claims he can"
In October. 1900, Mr.. Rouss said he !
was convinced that the Creator had in
tended him to be blind until the end |
of his days and he, therefore, with |
drew the 1000, 600 offer. His face was
not disfigured in appearance save for |
a lack of luster. His hair was snow |
white.
Mr. Rouss a few years ago told the |
story of his life to a friend in these
words:
I came to New York a poor boy !
! had not cent. 1 slept in the parks.
Now l have three or four millions
That is the whole. story.
MY life is the simplest / come
down to my office at o'clock every
morning. I am at my desk until or
3 o'clock at night Then / go home and
eat a great big supper at o'clock,
and go to bed. l rise at 1 o'clock every
morning, summer or winter. 1 take a