Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-04-07
DINEo WITH THE CAR.
Heno1 shc~sered Upon JoaepA Fr.neis
fnventor Of the LafebuaG

aenors she~er-d Upon JoscpA Fr.neia
fuventor of the Lafeboat.
In 1855 Mr.. Francis went to Europe.
He introduced his inventions ut 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 tie
courts Of kingA
l shall not soon forget the stories he
told Of the events witnessed in these
European capitals, they were all SO in.
terestinR, and he was SO wholly frank
and natural in their narration. He was
long at the court of the car, sovereign
who was deeply interested in the work
Of the inventor. When MIR. 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, rs he told
me laughingly, he forgot all about his
letters of introduction, one Of which
was from the president Of the United
States aud another from the secretary of
state, and merely told some of the off,
cials connected with the American lega-
ton that he wished to meet the car.
"What!" the official ejaculated in
amazement. "Meet the czar? Inpossi-
BILE, mani Do you realize what you are
asking-an introduction to the car of
Russia? Why, it would take you month
to get an introduction to the grand duke.
to say nothing about getting into tho
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 attendan:
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 eyes glowing with the recollection
of the triumph Of the hour, appeared
the Grand Duke Constantine, one of
Americas truest friends. and, both Of
his hands 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 Russia's seacoast, and whose inven-
tions 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 day or two with the car at the
palace.
And this was his Introduction to
Alexander II, ruler who never forgot
this gentle, modest American, and who
through long years owned him as O
cherished friend.
| A day or two afterward Mr.. Francis
strolled into the Office Of the American
legation. Idoubt not there was q merry
twinkle in his eye. for no man loved q
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 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, 4" wa,
the simple answer.
And it was not the last time he wal
entertained at the imperial palace
w. s. HARDWOOD in St Nicholas