The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1909-07-22
The Power Of Luck.

I9OeOeOsOoOeCO SOSOSS
copyright 1909, by American Press Asso
ciation.l
/ had received my medical diploma
and before going home called on one Of
The lecturers, the famous surgeon. DR.
Coleman Coyle, to say goodby. ! had
been quite favorite with the doctor,
and he had occasionally been a help to
me. Besides, he was ali intimate friend
OF my father.
Billy he said TO me, 81 hope youth
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-
ton by your own unaided Efforts
Everybody knows just nothing
about it. Sit down there, and I'll tell
you story. You're man now, and
it won't injure you. On the contrary,
1t may teach you not to be too self
reliant ard 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 l was where you are now
was obliged to start in small town.
While / wa studying / was ambitious
for what l have now, but as soon as !
struck that town my heart sank with
in me. And / hadn't been there
month before was glad to attend .
horse with the blind staggers to get
few dollars. ! managed to exc out
enough to pay for room in garnet
and one or two cheap meals day
Surgery! Why, there never was but
one surgical case 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 a lot to tax
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 abstemious young
/ man and couldn't stand the liquor
took in on that one occasion. George
who was more used to it, took me T.
my room and left me while he ran tc
catch a midnight train.
II tried to get Off my clothes, but
couldn't. | remember taking off my
coat and trying to hang 1t ON bed
post when 1t came round to me, TO
everything in the room was circlinf
While was valnly trying TO find tn
shoestring of my boot / heard VIC
lent ring at the doorbell below, AM
presently my landlady came up In
wrapper and said something which
startled though 1t didn't sober me
John Oyeraker. the only rich man Il
the town, had been taken violently Il
and was wanted Immediately.
Here was terrible situation. M
: first chance had come and i was hope
lessly drunk. I caught at my Goa
when It came round. managed TO get
on. accidentally damned my han
against my hat. got IL on and STAG
| gered downstairs. succeeded In ge'
ting to the Overakers. rang the be
and was admitted by the only membe
Of his family. his daughter Ethel.
".Oh, Doctor she said wildly.
didn't hear what she said. learne
II afterward. 4 fear It is apoplex,
Mother died Of apoplexy. and knc'
It by the snoring. Father was brougt
: home by two friends. who put him !
his room and left him. / sent for on
regular physician. but he IS out Z
town. so / sent for you
while she was giving me this II
J formation ! held on TO the wall wit
one hand and looked at her withor
speaking. When she had finished sh
led me upstairs. I knew enough
! get her out Of the room. and 10 do s
D looked at her and put my hand on ii
door. She understood and left m
: Overaker was snoring heavily. I s;
: down in a chair to try to steady m.
E self, and-fell asleep. When ! awob
: the patient was still snoring. l r
member leaving the room and by
9 careful hanging on to the banister &C
ting downstairs. I was met by Mi'
e Overaker.
"'Oh. doctor. Is there any hopeT
e ~ nodded my head ailirmatiycly M
pressed her hand without speakin
p She understood by this how deeply
felt and my sympathy for her.
You will cali very early In q
: mornlngg
again I nodded affirmatiyely al
y went out into the street.
e "Thc next morning I was In h,
j. grooming over bad headache. wor
conscience and the knowledge that
had ruined my career at the start.
wondered II Overaker was dead. The
e was one comfort-nothlng can be do
/ IN case Of apoplexy. had pro-
$ ised TO call early. so I got up and
e a great effort dressed myself. "
/ going downstairs when saw In {
e hall below, mirabile dictu. my patiel
lie saw me coming and smiled nj II
lr When ] reached him he graspcd .
hand warmly.
Il Thanks. my boy he said. X
didn't say word. did your My dauf