by Al Lacy
“Let me know how it turns out.”
“I sure will. See you later.”
When Dane arrived back at the office, his parents were looking over a patient’s file at his mother’s desk.
They asked how it went with the house calls and with the two patients in the hospital. Dane gave them the details, then said, “And something else happened when I was at the hospital.”
They both listened intently as he told them of his conversation with Dr. Jeremy Winstad about the pending sale of the practice in Central City.
“I’ve heard of Dr. Robert Fraser, son,” said Jacob, “but I’ve never had the opportunity to meet him. Since Dr. Carroll thinks so much of him, I’m sure it is indeed a solid practice. So I assume you’re going to be making a trip to Central City.”
“I really feel I should, Dad. You … ah … you told me that you understood my wanting to have my own practice.”
Jacob and Naomi looked at each other, then Jacob said, “Of course I do. Your mother and I have been praying that the Lord would guide you about it when it was His time.”
Naomi smiled at her son. “Of course your father and I have mixed emotions, Dane. We will miss having you close to us, and we will miss having you here in this practice. But we both understand.”
“Especially me,” said Jacob. “I well remember how very much I looked forward to having my own practice when I finished my internship. You go talk to Dr. Fraser. And don’t fret about my having the extra workload here. I’m not an old man yet, and I’m sure I won’t have a problem finding a new partner. Memorial Hospital has several young doctors doing their internship, and I know of two or three who are just about finished.”
“Okay if I go tomorrow?”
“Sure. I’ll look after your patients.”
The next day, Dr. Dane took the early train to Denver and rented a horse from a stable near the railroad station.
It was a glorious autumn day. As he rode west into the Rockies and moved up into the high country, he drew in a deep breath of the clean, fresh air and ran his gaze in a panorama. The aspen and birch trees were brilliant with their shimmering golden leaves and the dark green pines towered over them as majestic sentinels. All around were the lofty peaks reaching toward the pale blue sky, some with white caps of snow that had not melted in the relative warmth of the summer.
Drawing in another deep breath, Dane said, “It’s just a great day to be alive.”
The sight of the wide-open sky and the sun casting its deep shadows in the canyons filled him with wonder at God’s handiwork.
“I could be very happy living in this marvelous mountain country. Lord, if it’s Your will, I’d love for it to work out with Dr. Fraser.”
Riding through the high country was a slow process. It was just after four o’clock in the afternoon when Dane drew near Central City. The town’s setting was beautiful. By reading signs at the edge of town, he learned that there were gold and silver mines nearby. The Holton Coal Mine, he learned, was just two miles west of town.
As he rode into Central City, he let his eyes roam from side to side. The town was laid out in an attractive manner. People were moving about on the boardwalks, and there was steady traffic on Main Street.
Soon Dane spotted the sign that identified the office of Dr. Robert Fraser. He guided the horse to the hitch rail, dismounted, and entered it.
He was greeted by the nurse-receptionist at the desk whose name plate identified her as Nadine Wahl. Dane estimated her to be in her early sixties.
Smiling at her, he said, “I need to see Dr. Fraser if he’s in, ma’am.”
“Dr. Fraser is with his last scheduled patient for the day at the moment. He should be finished in a few minutes. He will see you, of course. May I tell him your name and your ailment, sir?”
Dane shook his head. “I’m not here as a patient, ma’am. I’m Dr. Dane Logan. I am a partner with my father, Dr. Jacob Logan, in Cheyenne. Yesterday, I was talking to Dr. Jeremy Winstad at Cheyenne Memorial Hospital, and he told me of learning a few days ago from Dr. Matthew Carroll at Mile High Hospital in Denver about Dr. Fraser’s plans to retire. I would like to talk to him about taking over his practice.”
Nadine’s face brightened. “Oh! Well, I can tell you, Dr. Logan, that Dr. Fraser has a wonderful practice here. We—”
Nadine was interrupted by the front door opening. Dane turned to see a sprightly little lady enter. Her hair was as white as the snow on the high peaks that surrounded the town, and her blue eyes were as bright as the wide sky on a sunny day.
“Good afternoon, Nadine,” the little lady said to the nurse, then glanced at Dane. “And who might you be, young man?”
Before Dane could reply, Nadine said, “This is Dr. Dane Logan from Cheyenne, Esther. He is here to talk to Dr. Fraser about taking over the practice.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes. Dr. Logan, this is Mrs. Fraser.”
Dane smiled warmly. “I’m glad to meet you, ma’am.”
Esther extended her hand, and as Dane took it gently, the door to the examining room opened, and the doctor came out with his patient, telling him to be sure and take the medicine he had given him as directed.
The elderly man said he would, and after bidding Esther and Nadine good day, he moved out the front door.
Dr. Fraser smiled at his wife and kissed her cheek. Esther blushed at the kiss as she had for over fifty years. “Dear,” she said, turning to the smiling young man, “this is Dr. Dane Logan. Nadine just explained that he is here to talk to you about taking over the practice.”
Dr. Robert Fraser’s silver eyebrows arched. As they shook hands, Fraser said, “Glad to meet you, Dr. Logan. Where are you from?”
“Cheyenne, sir. I’m partner with my father, Dr. Jacob Logan, there. I’m a graduate of Northwestern University Medical College. I did my two-year internship at Memorial Hospital in Cheyenne, and have been partner with Dad in his practice since last May. Of course, I want a practice of my own.”
Fraser smiled. “I understand that.”
“Dr. Jeremy Winstad at Memorial Hospital told me yesterday that he had learned from Dr. Matthew Carroll in Denver that you are planning to retire soon and are looking for someone to take over your practice. I came to talk to you about it.”
Dr. Fraser removed his spectacles and wiped his hand across his tired eyes. “Son, I am delighted to see you, and we most certainly will talk about it. I have a date for dinner with this lovely wife of mine, but I’m sure she won’t mind if you join us so we can talk.”
“Of course I won’t mind,” spoke up Esther. “We’ll enjoy having you dine with us, Dr. Logan.”
At Central City’s finest restaurant, the Frasers and their guest ordered their food, and while they waited, Dane told them his story—including his becoming an orphan at fifteen years of age in Manhattan, New York, his ride on the orphan train, and his adoption by Dr. and Mrs. Jacob Logan of Cheyenne. He went over his education and internship again and told of becoming partner with his father just over four months ago. He then took an envelope from his coat pocket and showed the Frasers his diploma from Northwestern and a certificate of internship completion from Cheyenne’s Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Fraser was showing keen interest when the waiter arrived with the food.
As the waiter walked away, Dr. Fraser said, “Dr. Logan, Mrs. Fraser and I are born-again Christians, and we always pray before a meal.”
Dane’s face beamed as he smiled from ear to ear. “I’m a born-again child of God too. I never eat a meal without thanking the Lord for His wonderful blessings and provisions.”
The Frasers smiled at each other. “Wonderful! Dr. Logan, will you lead us in prayer, please?” said Dr. Fraser.
They prayed, then while they enjoyed the meal, Dane told them how he came to know the Lord while an orphan in Manhattan when a medical doctor led him to Christ. He went on to tell them of his desire to be a physician and surgeon from the time of his early childhood. He concluded b
y explaining the yearning he had in his heart to have his own practice.
Feeling God’s leadership in the matter, Dr. Fraser agreed to sell Dane the practice. He would let him buy it by making reasonable monthly payments. Dane offered to give him a check as earnest money before leaving to head back to Cheyenne, and Dr. Fraser accepted it.
Fraser went on to say that he and Esther would be staying in Central City, so he would be available to help young Dr. Logan whenever he was needed. He could fill in when Dr. Logan had to be away—like visiting patients who lived several miles from Central City or when he was doing surgery at Mile High Hospital in Denver.
The Frasers could tell that the young doctor was thrilled with the prospect of taking over the practice.
Dr. Fraser said, “We have an extra bedroom in our house. We would be honored if you would spend the night with us.”
Dane smiled and nodded. “I would be even more honored to do so, sir.”
“Good! We’ll stop by Nadine’s house when we leave here, and I’ll have her postpone tomorrow’s appointments at the office so you and I can go to Denver. I’ll introduce you to Dr. Carroll so you can make arrangements with him for hospital privileges. You know—being able to bring your patients there and to do surgery on them when needed.”
“I really appreciate that, Dr. Fraser.”
“Glad to do it. We’d best get to bed early. We’ll have to leave a little before sunup in order to get to Denver at a decent time.”
“No problem,” said Dane.
Later that night, an excited Dane Logan lay in bed at the Frasers’ house and praised the Lord for the way He was working in his life.
Dawn was a slight hint in the eastern sky the next morning when the two physicians rode toward Denver.
They arrived at Mile High Hospital at midmorning and were welcomed by Dr. Matt Carroll.
After learning Dane’s background in medicine and that Dr. Fraser was going to sell him his practice, it took only moments for Carroll to happily grant Dr. Dane the desired hospital privileges. When Dr. Fraser followed this by telling Dr. Carroll that Dane was a born-again child of God, Carroll became even happier about giving him the privileges.
Carroll then said to Dane, “I’ve heard of your adoptive father and that he is a fine doctor, but I’ve never had the opportunity to meet him. Maybe someday.”
Dane grinned. “Well, if not here on earth, Dr. Carroll, the two of you will meet in heaven.”
“Praise the Lord for that. Well, Dr. Dane Logan, let me give you a tour of our fine hospital. Would you like to tag along, Dr. Fraser?”
“Well, of course.”
Moments later, while the three men were walking down a corridor on the first floor and Carroll was pointing out particulars about the hospital, one of the staff doctors—whose name was Jess White—came out of an examining room. Dr. Carroll stopped him, introduced him to Dr. Dane Logan as the man who would be taking over Dr. Fraser’s practice, then said, “So how did your examination of Elsa Johnson go?”
Dr. White rubbed the back of his neck and replied, “Mrs. Johnson is in dire need of a hip replacement.”
Dr. Carroll’s face showed the concern he felt with this news. “I’ll wire the superintendent at Bellevue Hospital in New York and see if they have a doctor who is qualified to do hip replacements. I know two or three of them went to Germany several months ago to study under Dr. Theodore Gluck.”
Dr. White shook his head. “I’m sure the Johnsons can’t afford to pay a surgeon to come all the way from New York to do the hip replacement, Dr. Carroll.”
“May I say something?” spoke up Dr. Dane.
“Certainly,” said Dr. Carroll.
Dane told Drs. Carroll and White of his learning about hip replacements from Dr. Theodore Gluck while he was a student at Northwestern University Medical College and that he had done a hip replacement on a seventy-two-year-old woman in Cheyenne recently, who was now doing quite well.
While all three doctors were showing their surprise at this accomplishment by the young doctor, Dane said, “Dr. Carroll, I would be glad to do the surgery on Mrs. Johnson if you, Dr. White, the patient, and her family will allow me to do it.”
Dr. Carroll asked, “Did you do the replacement with an ivory ball like Dr. Gluck does?”
“Yes, sir. When I did the surgery on the lady in Cheyenne, I ordered some extra ivory blocks so whenever I was called upon to do more hip replacements, I would have them on hand. If I’m given permission to do the surgery, I’ll wire my father immediately and have him take one of the ivory blocks to the railroad station and put it in the hands of the conductor on the evening train. That way, I’ll have it yet tonight.”
Dr. Jess White said, “Dr. Logan, as far as I’m concerned, you can do the surgery. Mrs. Johnson’s son and daughter-in-law are in the room with her right now. You can go talk to all three of them.”
“Let’s do it,” spoke up Dr. Carroll. “I’m behind you on this 100 percent, Dr. Logan.”
Dane smiled. “Thank you. How old is Mrs. Johnson?”
“She’s sixty-three,” said Dr. White. “Dr. Carroll, since you’re the head man here, why don’t you go in with Dr. Logan? Dr. Fraser and I will wait here.”
“All right. Let’s go, Dr. Logan.”
Dane followed Dr. Carroll into the room, and was introduced to the patient and her family. Dr. Carroll explained to them that Dr. Logan learned how to do hip replacements with ivory balls from the famous German surgeon, Dr. Theodore Gluck, while a student at Northwestern University Medical College in Chicago. He told them that Dr. Dane was in partnership with his father, Dr. Jacob Logan, in Cheyenne, and that Dr. Dane had quite recently done a successful hip replacement on a patient in Cheyenne.
All three were quite impressed, and Dr. Dane was immediately given permission to perform the surgery on Elsa Johnson. He explained how he would get an ivory block from his father yet tonight, then told them he would do an examination on Elsa first thing in the morning so he could carve the ivory ball the proper size, then he would proceed with the surgery. Elsa was filled with hope.
Drs. Carroll and Logan returned to Drs. White and Fraser, and Dr. Fraser then took Dane to the Western Union office where he wired his father.
Dr. Fraser also wired his wife, advised her of what was happening, and asked her to let Nadine know. He would stay until the surgery was done in the morning, then he would head for home.
That night at eleven-thirty, Dr. Dane picked up the ivory block at Denver’s Union Station, and he and Dr. Fraser were given rooms to sleep in at the hospital.
At eight o’clock the next morning, Dr. Dane Logan was scrubbing up in the surgical washroom in preparation to make his examination, carve the ivory ball, and do the surgery.
At the same time, Dr. Matt Carroll moved up to the nurses’ station in the surgical wing. There were two nurses behind the counter. They both smiled and greeted him with a friendly good morning.
Returning the smile, he said, “And good morning to you, ladies. Do either of you happen to know where Nurse Tabor is?”
“Yes, sir,” said one of them. “Tharyn is in room 212 with a patient.”
“Thank you,” said Carroll.
Just as he was approaching room 212, Tharyn Tabor came out. “Oh! Good morning, Dr. Carroll.”
“Good morning, Tharyn. I need you to assist a doctor who is going to do a hip replacement on Elsa Johnson this morning. You met her yesterday when she was being admitted.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll see that any assignments you have are taken care of by another nurse.”
“All right, Doctor.” Tharyn’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t know there was a doctor in Denver who was qualified to do hip replacements. Who is it?”
“He’s not a Denver doctor. He is Dr. Logan from Cheyenne, and he definitely is qualified. Dr. Logan is buying Dr. Fraser’s practice in Central City. He happens to be here because Dr. Fraser brought him so I could grant him hospital privileges when he take
s over his practice. Mrs. Johnson and her family have requested that Dr. Logan do the hip replacement, and I want you to be the one to assist him.”
“I’ll be glad to. Doctor?”
“Yes?”
“I’ve heard of Dr. Jacob Logan in Cheyenne and of his very successful practice. I’m wondering why he would sell his practice where he is doing so well and move to Central City.”
Carroll grinned. “He isn’t. This doctor I want you to assist is Dr. Jacob Logan’s son, who at the moment is a partner in the Cheyenne practice.”
“Oh, I see. All right. I have a couple of things to take care of. I’ll be there in about five or six minutes.”
“Good. Mrs. Johnson’s in operating room 3. I’ll go tell Dr. Logan I’m sending him my best surgical nurse.”
Tharyn blushed and smiled modestly. “Thank you for your confidence in me, Doctor.” With that, she hurried away.
Dr. Carroll entered operating room 3 and found Dr. Dane Logan preparing to do the surgery.
Elsa Johnson rolled her head on the slender pillow and smiled. “Good morning, Dr. Carroll. I’m so encouraged. I just know Dr. Logan is going to make it so I can walk again.”
Carroll smiled down at her. “I have no doubt about it, Mrs. Johnson.”
Dr. Carroll noted the ivory ball that lay in a sterilized metal container. “Got it carved, I see.”
“Yes,” said Dr. Dane. “I’ll be ready in a few more minutes. I assume my assisting nurse will be here soon.”
“Yes. I’m giving you an experienced surgical nurse to assist you. She is young, but very, very good. In fact, Nurse Tabor is the number one surgical nurse in this hospital. She’ll be here in about five minutes. I’ll excuse myself now. I have some people waiting to see me in my office. Mrs. Johnson’s son and daughter-in-law are in the surgical waiting room.”
Dr. Dane nodded. “I’ll see them immediately after I’m done with the surgery.”
Moments later, Tharyn Tabor hurried down the corridor, entered the surgical wing, and made her way to operating room number 3.
When she entered the room, she saw the young surgeon leaning over his patient. Hearing the door open, he turned and glanced up at her as she moved toward him. “Dr. Logan, I’m Tharyn Tabor. Dr. Carroll sent me to—”