The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1896-11-07
D!NED WITH THE CAR.
Ronors Showercd Upon Joseph Francis,
Inventor of the Lifeboat.

Inventor of the Lifeboat.
In 1865 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 at the
cour,s of kings.
| shall not Q 9 forget the stories he
told of the events witnessed in these
European capitals, they were all SO in
teresting, and he was SO wholly frank
and natural in their narration. He was
long at the court Of the z 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.
WHAT" the official calculated il
amazement. meet the car? Impossi-
bic, man! Do you realize what you are
asking-an introduction to the czar 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 car"
Mr.. Francis went away, and, with
true American independence, called at
the palace Of the grand duke. He sent
in his plain visiting or business card.
He had not long to wait. The attendant
ushcrcd 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 eyes glowing with the recollection
Of the triumph Of the hour, appeared
the Grand Duke Constantine, one ct
Americas truest friends, and, both Of
his LANDS outstretched, he took both Of
mine in his as 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 such value
to Russla's %seacoast, and whose inven-
lions promised SO much for Russia
what could he dc? Mr.. Francis said
that he would like to meet the czar.
Certainly. The grand duke would
make an appointment with him to dine
III a day or two with the czar at the
palace.
And this was his introduction to
Alexander II, a ruler 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 car !
spoke up jokingly:
well. how are you coming on in
your efforts to meet the czar?"
II have seen him."
WHAT with doubt in face and !
voice, you have seen the czar? How /
did you see him, pray tell?" !
II dined with him yesterday" was
the simple answe
And it was not the last time he was
at the imperial palace
W. 5. Harwocd il St. Nicholas.