The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-10-01
The Thousandth Chance
Copyright. by shortstory Pub. Cos
Ey RICHARD BARKER SHELTON

Lboye his head He stood glaring
bout him in the gloom, while the 9th
sr man fumbled for the knob of the
ront-room door.
''Well?" said the doctor, and his in
Election made it a word of various
The gray-haired man had found the
knob and opened the door. will you
kindly step this way" said he, and
ushered Fleming into cozily-fur-
nished room. A fire glowed in the
CRATE and tiers of books lined the
walls.
'Well?" said Fleming again, with
the same infection, when he was
seated
His host stood before the fire, his
hands behind his back and his Gym
ical gray eyes scrutinizing the doc
tors face.
DR. Fleming" he said at length.
you have been somewhat annoyed of
late by the receipt of anonymous let
tiers. | owe you every apology for
sending them"
Your" said the doctor, incred.
uously
Yes, ii was I. Grant me mo-
ment and I'll explain. ! am not the
sort OF man who accepts people on
| trust. To me man Is coward or
a cad until he has proven himself a
man OF nerve or gentleman. II Is
the most logical basis TO start from
II avoids complications. So much by
way OF preface. Now. to real bust.
ness, But first, DIR. Fleming. let me
ofer you cigar"
Fleming thanked him and lighted
the weed.
"You have heard. perhaps, that a
few years since, u party of prospect
ors ran across a wonderful zinc lode
down IN Patagonia. No? Well such
was the case. A company was formed,
engineers and men were sent down
and today Columbia, patagonian stock
Is way above par, II IL my good for.
tune to serve the company as man.
aging director.
There's quite little settlement at
the mines--S0 odd souls besides the
brceds--and despite the fact that II is
q fearfully out-ofthe. hole. the
boys seem 10 get their share OF fun
outsof t. This is the best side OF H.
There's another side--the Indians and
breeds Every little while they wax
playful. and II we don't lose man or
so. We consider ourselves In luck.
Now, what with the Indians and the
constant liability OF accidents In the
mines. a mans life isn't exactly safe,
but to make II as far so as possible.
we have decided to send resident
surgeon down there. Our employees.
DIR. Fleming. are all tried men. We
know what to expect OF them. Con-
soquontly, when the question OF the
choice of a surgeon arose Il behooved
us 20 know our man. II is one of those
places where poor surgeon with
nerve Is more desirable than a good
one lacking that quality,
Il went TO q friend OF mine who Ia
professor IN the very medical school
from which you hold diploma. laid
The case before him and requested the
names OF some young physicians who
, tpardon franknessl. were not succeed
ing tremendously. Three names were
: given me. and to each | wrote anony.
, nous letters from this address. which
Is our temporary dlsbnrsing ONCE. IL
was my intention. after sending the
kilograms to-day, to send a carriage
to the Office OF each. summoning him
10 this address. estimated the
. chances one 10 a thousand that any
one OF them would take the Initiative
and silt the matter for himself. ms you
! have done confess | am pleased
: with your action. have stated the
whole matter frankly will be as
J frank In adding that the sum our sur.
+. Geon win receive for his services viii
: not be niggardly " you care 10 think
J OF II | shall be glad TO consider you an
! applicant for the position
Fleming thought Of his struggling
practice. OF bills long overdue. and.
finally. OF certain wedding of the
: previous June
I'm be very glad II you will" no
said, simply.
! jus; then three hacks drew up be-
: fore the door
All" said his host here are the
. vehicles which were 10 seek our vic
. Tins. Two. think, we shall no long.
CT need. II you'll Join me In the other,
wen drive up town and discuss II
, further over lunch"