The daily Alaskan., 1906-12-29
How 1 Achieved Success

How dId l, So young man, acquire SO large 6 criminal practice? Just as l was ready to begin to practice my profession | read the biographies of many men tn America who had early achieved emInence. From their exam pie I deduced principle, During the early years of ones career lei him do len times the work expected Of him.
 If Francis Atwater had not gone to sleep on the train that was taking him 10 his home in the suburbs and not gone on to ROyaltOn instead Of getting out at Millburn he would not have been convicted of the murder of Fair fax Douglas. And quite likely 1 should have missed an opportunity to make name as a criminal lawyer. But Atwater did go 10 sleep on the train and did wake mp and get out three stations above his own.
 Hello. Atwater," said his old friend Douglas as they met on the platform. What are you doing up herc:"
 Atwater told him of his snOOze, and as there was no train down for au hour Douglas pressed him 10 70 home and dine with him. Atwatcr accepted, and the two men went home together. Douglas lived with his mother, who was away at the time. and there was 20 one with him except the servants. The two men diued together, and after dinner Atwater kept putting off his departure from train to train till at last he consented to remain all night.
 Al r. o'clock host and guest went up. stairs To rhehB bedrooms Just before getting into bed Ntwater went to Douglas room to tell him that he must take au early train in the morn ing and could not remain for break, fast. Douglas was putting his watch under his pillow. and Atwater saw, as the pillow was lifted. a revolver.
 For burgIarS| asked Atwatcr, look. tng al the weapon.
 No"
 AUwater appeared curious, and Doug las added that there was a story con- nected with his keeping a pistol under his head at night and that he always carried one about hlm during the day. Atwuter pressed him 10 tell him why be did this. but Douglas seemed trou- bled at the mention of the matter, eS- cuSin. himself from giving the story. 'Atwater forbore To press him further and went to his own room.
 Atwater awOke In the morning, dressed aud went to his friends room to say goodby. A fearful sight greet ed him. Douglas was lying dead, his head hanging of the bed so as to ex- pose the throat. which was dark pur- pie. indicating Straugulation. Atwa, ter'S trSt impulse was to arouse the house. but his second was To allow sulne uur else tO discover the murder He knew that tue man caught with a murdered person was liable to Suspi- cIou. and no one can tell where such suspicion will lead. He would depart as he had intended. saying nothing about having Seru his friend. He left the room. turned to go down the main staircase and. descending went out Of the front door He was all of a trem- ble when he got on the train, but went to the city. attended 10 his duties aS usual and was going home. expecting to see Douglas death in the evening paper when he was stopped at the door of his office by policeman, who arrested hIm on a charge Ot murder A maid had gone up the back staircase a< Atwater had emerged from the chamber of death and had seen him leave the room.
 was retained 10 defend Atwater and gog rhe story have told from him. Iut could not tell such a story ru a jury. A murder trjaI k a tilt be- tween the pro>"rutiug attorney and the arcu~rd> vuuu>rl with weapons ar ranged for by the court. the judge handing them their pistols just as q second will hand pistols tu dueliStS. l had no ease whatever. Douglas could give no reason for heiug aJ RUyaltOn except that he haul gone To sleep on fhe train. Ill., wa~ seen leaving the victims room and had gone 10 his 0uSl. ness saving uothiu" about the murder. The prosecuting attorney made fine speech. calling the iury'S atrcutjou to the wisdom of thc Supreme Being who had sept the maid up the back stair ,.uSp tu rh,. nick uf time. Atwater was convicted "uI sentenced tp he hanged.
 IL was after the trial that 1 got ia my tue work. l knew from my eli ant'~ story that Douglas had been eN- prrtiug au attack. but from whom: l
 worked night and day ti.I found out: but. finding our. could not prove that the. person suspected had committed the murder Ou" tLiug of importance [ did md out. though To do 50 l had to pluy dryrc,.yr The secret enemy had sworn iu kill not only Douglas. but an