The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1897-08-25
Wadsworth Dispatch,
PUBLISHED sEMrwEGkLY
$500 Per Annum.
DlNED WITH THE CZA6,.
Honors Showered Upon Joseph Francis,
Inventor of the Lifeboa


Inventor OF the Lifeboat.
In 1855 Mr.. Francis went to Europe.
He introduced his Inventions at many
courts. He remained abroad about IL
years and made many warm friends Ill
many lands hy his modest, unassuming
frankness and his habiiaal courtesy.
And he received great honors at the
courts of Sszss.
/ shall not o forget tho stories ne
told of the events witnessed in these
European capitals, they were all SO in
terosting, and he was so wholly frank
and natural in their narration. He WAS
long at the court of the czar, 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, IL 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 czar.
"Whatl" the official CALCULATED in
amazement. "Meet the czar? Impossi-
BILE, mani 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 o. 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 tho spiSandid 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, IL Of
Americas truest friends, aud, 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 s~eacoast, and whose inyen-
tons 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 to
Alexander III, a ruler who never forgot
this gentle. modest American, and who
through long years owned him as q
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 IFS eye. for no nan loved. a
quiet joke better than he did.
The official to whom MIR. Francis had
expressed his DESIRE to meet the czar
spoke up 1okinsly: ~
"Well. how are you coming on in
your efforts to meet the czar?"
s ~ have seen him."
What" with tdoubt in face and
voice, you have seen the car? How
did you see him, pray te1l?"
81 dined with him yesterday" was
the simple answer.
And it was not the last time no was
entertained at the imnerial palace. -
W. s.. Harwocd in st. Nicholas.