The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1889-03-27
a SKETCH FROM LIFE.
Tho Successful and Varied Career OF
Smart New England Boy.

Tho Successful and Varied career Oh
Smart New England Boy.
Nothing is so interesting as peo'
ple.'' This remark we hear constant.
ly in this great city where there is so
much to interest one in every branch
of human industry and knowledge.
Perhaps the following outline OF how
one physician was prepared and trained
for his profession may have valuable
suggestions for some of our readers:.
Roger S. was a bright boy living in
city on the Atlantic seaboard. his
father and both his graudfathers were
or had been captains of sailing crafts,
and Roger inherited strong proclivi-
ties for sailors life When he begged
his father to let him 60 to sea, his
father, who was averse to having his
son lead the life he had led, said:
mo, 90 to school, and when you know
something of school-books, it will be
time for you to go to sea-" SO to
school he went for time, but frankly
confessed to his father that SO strong
we're his inclinations for a sea-faring
life that he really believed he would
be compelled to run away and 60 "be-
fore the mast
Then the father, seeing that his
studies did not sufficiently occupy his
mind, said: Before becoming sailor
YOU should have some trade to fall
back on in case any thing should hap
pen to make sea-going undesirable or
impossible to YOU" So the lad went
into cotton mills and then into silk
mills, and learned the machinery used
in them. He next went into machine
shop, and was promoted from time to
time until he was foreman of a set OF
men who were employed in boring the
cylinders for the driVing-wheels OF
locomotives He could build loco
motive in every part from wheel to
turret. and "run" it when it was done.
just then friend said to him: "Why
don't you study medicine? With your
skill and dexterity in the use Of tools,
and your thorough way of doing every
thing, you would make an excellent
surgeon" After long discussion of all
the pros and cons in the case, Roger
finally decided to study medicine. He
applied himself assiduously to medical
books and lectures. He was especially
diligent in the dissecting-room, and
according to his own statements
had. up to date, dissected lac
bodies with his own hands.
Upon graduating he was appointed
demonstration in anatomy in his alma
mater, and was so familiar with every
tissue and fiber of the body that he
never hesitated even in his thought in
discoursing of and naming them. This
special facility lasted, OF course, only
while he devoted himself to this branch
of lecturing. After filling this posi-
ton for several years he went into
general practice, giving special atten
ton to surgery. Here his acquaint
ance with the principles of mechanics
with the anatomy of the body, and hi:
perfect facility in the use of tools gave
him great advantage. He could ust
his right or his left hand with equa
case in sewing up Il wound in tying
up an artery, in making an incision, il
amputating limb. Such was his skill
and diligence that in a comparatively
short time abundant success rewarded
his labors. Already has he explored
the eastern coast of Asia, and visited
those ports he dreamed of visiting as &
sailor, and soon he will become equal.
familiar with the western shores o
Europe and its interior countries.
He applauds the wisdom of his father
who insisted on giving him trade
He finds that every step in his training
hitherto has prepared him to take /
still higher step fn'the development o
his own powers, and toward honora
BILE distinction and success among
men. Christian Advocate.