The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-11-13
OINEO WITH THE GAR.
Bsnors showered Upon Joseph Francis
Inventor Of the Lifeboat.

oooohs ruoWeIeO Upon Joecpu krnnclos
Inventor Of the LifeboAt.
In 1855 Mr.. Francis went to Europe.
He introduced his inventions at many
courts He remained abroad about 10
years and made many warm friends in
many lands by his modest. unassuming
frankness and his habitual courtesy.
And he received great honors ut the
courts OF kings
shall not soon forget the stories he
told Of the events witnessed in these
European capitals. they were all SO in
teresting. and he was 90 wholly frank
and natural In their narration. He was
long at the court Of the GEAR. a sovereign
who was deeply Interested In the work
Of the inventor When Mr.. Francis
went to Europe, he had letters Of intro
duction from many prominent Ameri-
cans. In st. Petersburg he called upon
the American minister. Here. as he told
me laughingly, he forgot all about 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 off,
Gals connected with the American lega-
ton that he wished TO meet the car.
"Whatr' the official CALCULATED in
amazement. meet the czari Impossi-
BILE. man! Do you realize what you are
asking-an introduction to the csar OF
Russia? Why, it would take you a month
to get an introduction to the grand duke,
to say nothing about getting into the
presence of the czar."
Mr.. Francis went away, and, with
true American independence, called a
the palace Of the grand duke He sen,
in his plain visiting or business card
He had not long to wait. The attendant
ushered him into a magnificent salon IL
the ducal palace. From the farthel
side Of the splendid room. said the ole
gentleman to me as he related the story
his eyes glowing with the recollection
Of the triumph Of the hour. appeared
the Grand Duke Constantine, one o
Americas truest friends. and, both o
his hands outstretched. he took both o
mine in his as he reached me"
The grand duke asked what he coul'
do for Mr.. Francis. the man Of whom
they had heard so much, whose life saw
ing service was even then Of such valu
to Russia 9 seacoast. and whose inven
tons promised SO much for Russia
what could he dor MIR. Francis sal
that he would like to meet the car
4 Certainly. The grand duke woul
make an appointment with him to din
in day or two with the car at tn
palace.
And this was his introduction {
Alexander ii, a ruler who never forge
this gentle. modest American, and VIII
through long years owned him as
cherished friend
A day or two afterward Mr.. Franco
strolled into the Office Of the America
legation. doubt not there was q merr
twinkle in his eye. for no man loved
quiet joke better than he did
The official to whom Mr.. Francis ha
expressed his desire to meet the czs
spoke up jokingly:
. "well. how are you coming on
your efforts TO meet the czar?"
81 have seen him."
What" with doubt in face an
voice, you have seen the car? Ho
did you see him. pray tell?"
81 dined with him yesterday" WI
the simple answer.
And il was not the last time he We
entertained at the imperial palace. :
w. S. HARDWOOD in st. Nicholas.