The daily Alaskan., 1909-04-08
Tke Power of Luck.

and before going home cHlleu ol oHe ol the lecturers. the famous surgeon, Dr. Coleman Coylc, to say goodby. l had been quite a favorite with the doctor. and he had occasionally been help to me. Besides, he was an intimate friend of my father.
 "Bily," he said to mo, q hope you'll succeed in the profession, but you won't unless you have luck"
 "Why, doctor. I'm surprised. Every body knows that you have worked yourself up to your present high posi- tlon by your own unaidcd efforts"
 "Everybody knows just nothing about it. Sit down there, and I'll tell you q story. You're man now, and it won't iniurc you. On the contrary, it may teach you not to be too self reliant and have due respect for luck. And who knows how far luck means providence. And providence often works through channels that are sur prlSing to us mOrtalS.
 When l was where you are now was obliged to start in small town. While l was studying l was ambitious for what l have now, but as soon as struck that town my heart sank with in me. And I hadn't been there q month before was glad to attend a horse with the blind Stag@crS to get a few dollars. managed to Ckc out enough to pay for d room in a sarrct and one or two cheap meals a day. Surgery. Why, there never was but one surgical ease in the town.
 One day my old friend George Phil lips came through the town and looked me up. We had been at the medical school together and had lot to talk over George invited me to do the talking in a restaurant. and we spent a whole evening there eating aud drinking after 10 o'clock mostly drinking. I was an abStCmlouS young man and couldn't stand the Liquor took in on that one occasion. George, who was more used to it, took me to my room and left me while he ran to catch midnight train.
 "I tried to get or my clothes, but couldn't. remember taking otf my coat and trying to hang it on bed poSt when tt came round to me, for everything in the room was circling. While | was vanly trying to find the shocStrinc of my boot I heard vio. lent ring at the duorbcll below, and presently my landlUdy came up in wrapper and said something which startled though 1t didn't sober mo. John Ovcrakcr, the only rich man in the town. had hccn taken violently Ill and I was wanted immediately.
 Here was a terrible situation. My first chance had come and l was hope lcsSly drunk I caught at my coat when it cam" round. managed to get it on. accidentally damned my hand against my hat got it on and stag gcrcd downstairs. | succeeded in get ting 10 the Ovcrakcrs. rang the bell and was admitted by the only member of his family, his daughter Ethel.
 "'Oh. doctor.' she said wildly. l didn't hear what she said. learned it aftcrward. T fear it is apoplcXy. Mother died of apoplcXy, and I know it by the snoring. Father was brought home by two friends. who put him in his room and left him. l sent for our regular physician. but he Is out, oe town. so I sent for you
 "Whilc she was giving mo this in- formation l held on to the wall with one hand and looked at her without speaking. When she had finished she led me upstairs. I knew enough to get her out of the room. and tO do so looked at her and put my hand on the door. She understood and left me. OvcrakCr was snoring heavily. I sat down in q chair to try to steady my self. and-fcll, asleep. When l awOke the patient was still snoring. I re- member leaving the room and by careful hanging on to the banister get ting downstairs. l was met by Miss Ovcrabcr.
 "'Oh. doctor. is there any hope"
 "I nodded my head afTirmatively and pressed her hand without speaking She understood by this how deeply I felt and my sympathy for her.
 "You w,ll call very early in the morning"
 Again I nodded alIirmatively and went out into the street
 "'rhC next morning l was in bed grooming over bad headache, worse conscience and the knowledge that had ruined my career at the start. wondered if Ovcrakcr was dead. There was one cOmfort-nuthiug can be done in a case of apOpleXy. l had prom ised to call early, so 1 got up and by great effort dressed myself. I was going downstairs when I saw in the ball below. mirabilc dictu, my patient. He saw me coming and smiled at me. When ! reached him he grasped my hand warmly.
 Thanks. my boy he said. You didn't say word. did you? My daugh- ter is as innocent as baby. If she knew her father was drunk last night she would die of modification. Give me a man who can keep his tongue in