Newspaper Clipping of the Day

Via Newspapers.com

One is continually reminded that Life likes to play little pranks on us.  The “Idaho Statesman,” November 12, 1947:

BOSTON (UP)-Being alive on his 65th birthday Tuesday meant that Allan Sharpe of Boston had lost a $10 bet--a wager he was very pleased to have lost. 

Ten years ago he learned he was suffering from heart disease. The doctor told Sharpe he needed rest--a lot of rest. But Sharpe also needed his job--he told the doctor he would go on working until he reached retirement age. 

"Of course, I'll never live that long,” he said. "I'd have to live until I was 65 to retire and I'll never make it. I'll bet you $10 I'm dead before I'm 65." 

The doctor tried to encourage him: 

"I have a hunch you'll be all right," he told Sharpe, "I'll take that bet." 

So, Tuesday Sharpe was up early. It was a great day. It marked the beginning of his retirement from the Boston Edison Co. 

"First thing I'm going to do is mail the doctor the $10," Sharpe told his wife.  "I'm going right out to do it now."

On the way to the mailbox he dropped in the neighborhood drug store to see his old friend Christopher Cirullo. 

"This is my birthday and I'm still alive," he told the druggist jubilantly. "The doctor won. I'm on my way to pay the debt." 

Sharpe went to the mailbox in front of the drug store and mailed the letter. Then he hurried home, dashed up the three flights of stairs to his apartment and dropped dead.

I wonder if the doctor felt he had won or lost the bet.