sorted to it and drew out
fifty cents. After learning my business he manifested considerable
embarrassment, and as slyly as possible deposited his money in its
original place, and no doubt hoped the movement was not observed. Thus it
so often becomes as apparent to us as to others, that the majority of
people jump at the conclusion, that if one is blind, they must of
necessity resort to begging, and I deeply regret that so many establish
this belief by their conduct.

It has been to me a serious source of annoyance that so large a number of
persons endeavor to impress upon my mind the idea that it is an act of
charity to patronize me to the extent of the purchase of a single book,
while just after me a strong man, with faculties unimpaired, a man amply
able to do other work, may enter, and they buy from him anything he may
have to sell without ever dreaming that it is a charity to do so.

But I am truly grateful to the majority of those with whom I come in
business contact for their appreciation of my energy and enterprise, as
they almost invariably consider mine a laudable way of making a living.

A great many blind persons offer as an excuse for inactivity that they
have no capital to do with, but even this obstacle may be removed, as is
so often the case with impediments in the paths of those who see.

In Marysville, California, I became acquainted with a gentleman who lost
his sight in middle life, and exhausted all his means upon oculists and
other measures intended to restore his eyes. Finding the case hopeless,
and having a family dependent upon him for support, instead of sitting
down in despair or resorting to begging, he went to a friend and borrowed
two dollars and a half. With this he bought a basket, filled it with fruit
and went out to sell it. This basket became the nucleus of an extensive
business for some years after, and, at the time I met him, he was a highly
respected citizen, possessing a comfortable home and a considerable bank
account, though still holding a large fruit-stand as a permanent resource.

Another instance could be cited in the case of a young man of the same
State who became suddenly blind, when some friend told him he had better
go to San Francisco and hold out his hat, "for he would certainly do
well." Wounded to the quick at such advice, he replied that, in case he
accepted such a suggestion, he would solicit enough to buy a dose of
strychnine and close out his business. Soon af