[ WP ] A left-handed redhead sits at a coffee shop . He eats a Reuben ( too heavy on the sauerkraut ) and a watery dill pickle . He doesn ’ t look out the window . He pays for his meal with a worn American Express card . Before he leaves , he writes a note on the check in blue Bic pen . What does it say ?

The man looked like a war veteran. He was haggard and unkempt. He was missing his right arm and was eating a Reuben sandwich in the corner alone. The cook had accidentally placed too much kraut on the sandwich that would make anyone put the sandwich down and turn away. But not this man: he ate it without complaint and even the restaurant ’ s less-than-spectacular pickles he consumed. The man was looking at his sandwich, not once gazing out at the beautiful river that was in the window a few feet from his face. He was weeping softly as he continued to eat. 
 
 No one bugged him or questioned why he was sitting there. They left him in peace to eat alone and cry. He was there for an hour, making sure not a single morsel was left unconsumed. He packed up his few belongings and made his way to the cashier. 
 
 He had stopped crying at this point and the woman barely looked up as she printed his receipt. He looked it over and handed over his old, withered credit card and 26 cents. The cashier didn ’ t bother with the change and swiped the old card – it was declined for lack of funds by 26 cents. She looked up and saw the man push forward the change. He began writing something on his check. She thought it was probably an excuse for not tipping her or something. She picked it up and put it into the machine without bothering to look at it. 
 
 The man left without saying a word. 
 
 A few minutes later the cashier heard a car screech and screams outside. She and the other patrons rushed outside to take a look at the accident. It was the old man. A bus had hit him and killed him. It was a horrible accident and he was dead on the spot. 
 
 The patrons went back inside and were talking about the accident. The cashier opened the drawer and pulled out the man ’ s receipt. It said: 
 
 > These are my last dollars. I have happily served this country for a decade, never asking for anything in return. I always paid my bills and made sure I had enough for my wife and I to get by. This was our favorite restaurant, but she couldn ’ t be with me today as she is terribly ill. Please check on her at Memorial Hospital, she needs a friend. My insurance should help her out to get her through her treatments. Break the news to her softly. Thank you. Signed Walter Smith. 

