The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-10-07
oINED WITH THE CAR.
Hopors showered Upon Joseph Franca>
Inventor Of the LIfebost-

Inventor OF the Llfebost-
In 1885 Mr. Francis went 70 Europe
He introduced his inventions at many
courts. He remained abroad about II
wears and made many warm friends IN
many lands by his modest, unassumIng
f-ankness and his habitual courtesy.
And he received great honors at the
rourts of kings
shall not soon forget the stories he
told Of the events witnessed in these
Europeas capitals, they were al so IN
;eresting. and he was 50 wholly frank
end natural IN their narration He was
long at the court Of the car, a sovereign
who was deeply interested in the work
of the inventor. When Mr.. Francis
wen. to Europe, he had letters OF intro
duction from many prominent Amerl-
cans. In ST Petersburg hISralled upon
the American minister. H>ss, rs he told
me laughingly, he forgot all aboat his
letters of introduction, one OF which
WAS from the president Of the United
States and another from the secretary OF
state. and merely told some Of the ofti-
cials connected with the American lega-
ton that he wished TO meet the car.
"Whatr' the official calculated in
amazement. Meet the czar? Impossi-
ble. mani Do you realize what yon are
asking-an introduction to the car OF
Russia? Why, it would take you month
70 get an introduction to the grand duke,
to say nothing about getting into the
presence OF the car.
Mr. Francis went away, and, with
true American independence, called at
the palace Of the grand dCke. he sent
in his plain visiting or business card.
He had not long TO wait The attendant
ushered him into a magnificent salon IN
the ducal palace. From the farther
side Of the splendid room, " said the old
gentleman to me as he related the story,
his ewes glowing with the recollection
Of the triumph Of the hour, appeared
the Grand Duke Constantine, one or
Americas truest friends, and, both OF
his hands outstretched, he took both OF
mine in his Is he reached me.
The grand duke asked what he could
do for Mr. Francis, the man Of whom
they had heard so much, whose life saw
ing service was even then OF sach value
TO Russia's seacoast, and whose lnyen-
tiors promised so much for Russia
what could he do? Mr.. Francis said
that he would like TO meet the car
Certainly. The grand duke would
make an appointment with him to dine
in a day or two with the car at the
palace.
And this was his introduction 10
/ Alexander II, a raler who never forgot
this gentle, modest American, and who
through long years owned him as a
cherished friend
A day or two afterward Mr.. Francis
strolled into the Office Of the American
/ legation. Idoubt not there was a merry
/ twinkle in his eye, for no man loved a
quiet joke better than he did
The official to whom Mr. Francis had
expressed his desire TO meet the czal
! spoke up jokingly;
''Well, how are You coming on IL
your efforts to meet the czar:''
Il have seen him.
What" with doubt in face and
voice, you have seen the car: How
/ did you see him, pray tell:"
II dined with him yesterday, was
the simple answer.
And it was not the last time he wa:
entertained at the imperial palace. -
". 5. Harwood IN St Nicholas.