The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-10
ALLURING POSSIBILITIES

DI.4 CylhGSl6I Idu pCSAl HI INSW 4Olh three weeks interviewing number or dentists, but he had found no one to fill the position. The possibilities he held out to me were most alluring, but Ger many seemed very far away, and al- lowed him to return to Germany without a definite acceptance of his proposition from me. Some days later, however, l decided to accept it and cabled him &C., cordingly.
 I sailed on September 15, 1903. arriving in Berlin on the 24th
 pr. Sylvester, l found, had been the Kaiser's dentist for more than 20 years, having treated him ever since he was boy. At the time, dentistry in Germany had not yet attained the dignity of a pro- fession-indeed, the German dentist of that period was hardly beyond the barber class-and American dentists were in general favor throughout Europe.
 SUCCESSFUL DENTISTS
 The success of American dentists abroad dates back to the time of Napo- leon H. when pr. Thomas w. Evans, the Emperor's dentist, not only earned wonderful reputation for himself profess sionally, but played most important part in European politics. It was through his advice and influence that the French remained neutral during our civil war, and when the second French empire col lapsed the Empress Eugenie made her escape through the gates of Paris in a carriage with Dr. Evans, disguised as his assistant.
 Dr. Evans accumulated a fortune of several millions of dollars through profi- table real estate investments which had been suggested to him from time to time by the Emperor in appreciation of their friendship.
 While Dr. Sylvester was less of a fac tor in the politics of Germany than pr. Evans had been in those of France, he was very highly regarded professionally by the Kaiser and the royal family. He told me that some years before he had been summoned to the palace to attend the Kaiser's mother for some minor trou- ble, and that he had sent her carriage back empty with the message that if her majesty wanted his services she would have to come to his office the same as other patients. Needless to say, she did nothing of the kind, but Bismarck subse- quently called on the dentist profession- ally and explained that he did so be- cause he had admired the independent spirit the doctor had displayed on that occasion, although, he added, it had very nearly resulted in his being sent out of Germany.
 WAS AN ORDEAL
 Dr. Sylvester's residence and offices were on the Tiergarten, and it was there that I commenced the practice of dentis- try in Germany. It was understood that I was to attend the Kaiser right from the start, and although Sylvester ex- plained to me exactly what l was to do when his majesty arrived, 1 must con ress I looked forward to the ordeal with considerable anxiety.
 It was almost five months after I had been established as Sylvester's associate that we received word from the Kaiser's kammerdiener or body servant, over the telephone, that his majesty would be at our place the following morning at 8 a. m.
 This meant that we were to can-
 eel aIl other appointments for the
 greater part of the following morn
 ing, as it the invariable prac-
 tice to clear the way. so to speak,
 for the Kaiser that he might not
 encounter other patients when he
 called.
 don't believe I slept very sound
 Iy that night. I know that I was
 very nervous the next morning
 when at abOut 7:3O three four
 secret police arrived mt our place
 and stationed themselves outside 4
 the premises to see that everything
 was safe for the kaiser's arrival.
 few minutes later squad or unt-
 formed police arrived and guarded
 the approach to the house. Shortly
 before : o'clock I went to window
 to watch the Kaiser coming down
 the TierEarten and I the
 familiar white cOckade on his foot N
 man's hat and in the carriage,
 drawn by two white horses with
 red plumes. was the Kaiser him
 self. Another carriage followed the
 | U<uis contained nd
 tants.
 When he came into our office Sylvester received him. A few moments later word was sent out to me, and I went in to meet the Kaiser.
 He was in full uniform and wore
 sword. His kingly bearing was very conspicuous, although, as he
 extended his hand and grasped
 mine so hard that he nearly crushed the hOnps. he WAS making an effort.