The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-03-20
The Power Of Luck.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
copyright, 1903. by American Press Asso-
ciation.1
had received my medical diploma
and before going home called on one of
the lecturers, the famous surgeon, DIR.
Coleman Coyle, to say goodby. | had
been quite a favorite with the doctor,
and he had occasionally been u help to
me. Besides, he was an intimate friend
of my father.
"Bllly," he said to me, al hope you'll
succeed In the profession. but you
won't unless you have luck"
f"why, doctor, I'm surprised. Every
body knows that you have worked
yourself up to your present high posi-
ton by your own unalded efforts"
Everybody knows just nothing
about It. sit down there, and I'll tell
you a story. You're man now, aud
It won't injure you On the contrary,
Il 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
prising to us mortals.
"When was where you are now
was Obliged to start IN small town.
While was studying l was ambitious
|, for what have now, but as soon as !
struck that town my heart sank with
in me. And | hadn't been there a
month before / was glad to attend
horse with the blind staggers to get
| few dollars. ] managed TO eke out
enough to pay for room in garret
and one or two cheap meals a day.
Surgery! Why, there never was but
one surgical case in the town.
zone 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 a lot to talk
over George invited me to do the
! talking In a restaurant, and we spent
whole evening there eating and
drinking - after 10 o'clock mostly
drinking. was an abstemlous young
man and couldn't stand the liquor
| took in on that one occasion. George,
who was more used to 1t, took me to
| my room and left me while he ran TO
catch a midnight train.
81 tried to get off my clothes, but
couldn't remember taking Off my
coat and trying to hang 1t on a bed
post when II came round TO me, for
everything In the room was circling.
While I was vainly trying to find the
shoestring of my boot l heard vio-
lent ring at the doorbell below. and
presently my landlady came up In a
wrapper and said something which
startled though It didn't sober rue.
John Overaker. the only rich man in
the town, had been taken violently Ill
and was wanted Immediately.
Here was a terrible situation. My
first chance had come and ! was hope
lessly drunk. caught at my coat
when It came round, managed to get 1t
on accidentally jammed my hand
against my hat, got 1t on and stag
gered downstairs. | succeeded In get
ting to the Overakers, rang the bell
and was admitted by the only member
OF his family, his daughter Ethel
"'0h, DOCTOR she said wildly. 4
didn't hear what she said. learned
II .afterward, Il fear Il is apoplexy.
Mother died of apoplexy. and I know
II by the snoring. Father was brought
home by two friends, who put him in
his room and left him. ! sent for our
regular physician, but he is out of
town, so sent for YOU
"Whlle she was giving me this in.
formation held on to the wall with
zone hand and looked At her without
speaking. When she had finished she
led me upstairs. l knew enough ia
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
Overaker was snoring heavily. I sal
down In a chair to try to steady my
self, and-fell asleep when l awoke
the patient was still snoring. ! re-
member leaving the room and by a
careful hanging ON to the banister get
ting downstairs. / was met by Miss
Overaker
"'Oh. doctor. is there any HOPPER
II nodded my head aiiirmatively and
pressed her hand without speaking
She understood by this how deeply
felt and my sympathy for her.
"You will call very early in thl
morningT
again / nodded affirmatiyely anC
went out into the street
'The next morning was in bee
groaning over bad headache, worsl
conscience and the knowledge that
had ruined my career at the start
wondered II Overaker was dead. Their
was one comfort-nothIng can be don
in case Of apoplexy had prom
lied to call early. SO got uD aud b