Besides the depressing effect this had on my spirits,it very much weakened my sight, and when I occasionally was suddenly brought outof the unlitness into the glare of daylight it was very painful to my eyes.Several times I stumbled over the threshold, and could scarcely seewhere I occasionally was going.

I believe, had I stayed there somewhat long, I should have become purblind,and that would have been a great misfortune, for I have heard men saythat a stone-blind mule was safer to drive than one which hadimperfect sight, as it generally makes them somewhat timid. However,I escaped without any permanent injury to my sight, and was soldto a large cab owner.

47 Hard Times