The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04
INTERVIEWS AND INCIDENTS.

That great successes often have theil
origin based on slight margins is a fact
that very few would be likely to dispute
This idea was emphasized very forcibly up.
On a Times reporter a few evenings age
when. at small social gathering. various
events were under discussion and personal
experiences more or less dependent upon
trivial circumstances were topics in the
general conversation. Il knew of an in
stance, said one of the party, physician,
Where a friend of mine. who has been for
several years engaged in the successful
practice of medicine in a large city, thinks
ne got his start in life from a generous in
duIgence in hot Scotch whisky and as he
toId 1t TO me some time ago | Will relate it
TO you as nearly as possible in his lingo
as | can remember it.
1t was forty years ago and over" said
my friend, when l began che practice of
medicine. l had my shingle out on the
door, but patients were few and far be-
tween in those days. One bitter cold win
ter night. friend of my father, venera-
Bile Scotch gentleman, invited me to pass
the evening with him. He had on his ia
BILE some OF the best Scotch whisky ever
water, and to shorten the story indulged
freely. but felt no bad effect from nv DO
tations whatever. 1 left early and just as
was putting my key into my Office door a
hurry call came for me-
A gentleman wanted my services i'm
mediately to attend upon his baby who he
was certain was very i'll. l was feeling
hrst rate. The cold crisp air had a good
effect upon me and followed him to his
house. In back parlor there was a whole
family gathered about that sick child
ms grandmothers, mother, with several
aunts and uncles, and the very much dis
tressed father. who was certain his first
born was on the borderland of Paradise
The child was not i'll. sat down and
prescribed some simple remedy and would
nave gone home, but my legs refused to
do their duty. The room was as hot as
red-hot stove could make it, and that
Following upon my evenings potations, had
a grleyous effect. Ny brain was clear
enough, but my legs were as useless to
me as the legs of the crib in which the
babe was resting. In that case Just de-
termined to look wise, glare at the baby.
anG give it my best attentions. In about
TWO hours l was all right. The baby had
cropped into gentle slumber, and after
promising to call again in the morning |
got away.
The praise l received from the rela-
tives of that baby for my untiring atten- |
ton gave me the reputation of being a |
hrst-class doctor for children But if 1 |
mad not INDUCED in the libations devoted !
myself to early in the evening / would not |
have remained with my infantile patient |
Ten -aluuteS.'
In front of little store in remote part |
ri fau n
'any of people were admiring an admira-
'le portrayal of a cat in repose II was
hne figure of Maltese half grown kit
en- resting on luxurious-appearing mat |
the window of the store, and its perfect {
ppearauce to nature attracted many COM
nents OF favor As in all parties, however,
here was one critic. This was a young
who found many faults in the
work of art. He pointed out
he defects to an appreciative woman who |
ad been strongly inclined to join in the
eneral commentator Of the artists work
nd was nearly changing the entire senti-
lent OF the gazers, when the work of art
tretched out its paws and after a long
avn and curving its back, changed its DO
tion and slumbered again.
The critic sought shelter in the first
rect car available and the small boy can
ngent OF his audience made the welkin
ng with their expression of disregard for
is opinions concerning the difference be-
SeeH art and nature.
Within the past few days a party of gen.
emen were enjoying themselves at a mod
It feast in well-known suburban resort
Ear Washington They were smoking good
cent cigars and indulging In whatever
averages the fancies OF those present re-
'ectiyely suggested Public affairs was
e principal topic of discussion until one ]
the little coterie casting his eyes around I
Ia: Gentlemen, i think we had better
ijourn than sit here longer. There is an
EN- dozen of us here. Some fellow might =.
me in and make it bakers dozen !
:-teen-and that will bring US all bad
ok. Thirteen is an awfully unlucky
lmber. You all know that. Do you not?"
This little remark changed the entire :
nor of the conversation, and while every .
an in the party hooted the idea of being :
perstitious it was very evident that there
rs not one among those present who felt |
at the addition OF another man to the
tie congregation would be heartily vel =
med. Incidents of how other men be- =
me scared when only thirteen were gath
ed together became subjects OF general
scussion that somehow did not seem so .
trancing as it was before the suggestion
break away and go home was advanced. d
One of the party remembered that he .
IS the guest at dinner given not long
o to a gentleman who was about to de-
ri on a business mission to Europe The "
t Of invitations to the banquet numbered :,
teen, but when the dinner was served -
well under way some representative y
iividuai discovered that two Of those in .
ed to the feast were not present and
led attention to two vacant seats, leay-
! only thirteen at the table. With a pale ~
,e and trembling voice this bette noir of -
: dinner announced the fact and a chill | :,
e that of London fog overcome the II,
rty. The gentleman in whose honor the | 7
lner was given and who was to sail on s.
, morrow for England seemed nearly T.
ldy to faint until wise man arose in | Il
midst of the assembly and cordially in 9,
ed one of the walters at the table to join | ri
feasters. This" said the narrator. | "
I tied things all right. Our guest sailed vi
Ie lad intended 10 do made success hi
MS MISSION and returned without hav- u
experienced a single discomfort and pa
til
/ know of something in the same line" re
] another of the company. IL know of of
nan who proposed marriage to a beauti-
woman on the thirteenth of the month. W
was married on the thirteenth day of a re
'ceedlng month, and is as happy today W
ich is just thirteen years after that al
mt. as any man in Washington or any be
ere else. l am the individual he said
king around TO see that the magic cir II
of twelve was net intruded upon by NJ
'ther arrival. II,
i have some knowledge OF the effects III
the number thirteen myself" said an m
er member of the party. His hearers fo
ught they detected a deviation from the w,
49, H..
ii M OF the record IN MS manner but nc
is have it, they said, and he told this ! Sc
nv.