The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-09-24

800 pounds to a bag so much Der
pound. "Mr. Jones" bargained like
cautious man, who wanted to get his
moneys worth. He would call again.
After visiting the other three dealers,
he went back to the first, bought the
stock and presented his check.
1--WE don't know Mr.. Jones"
''Wire to Barings' or Rothschilds'.
The reply came: "Mr. Jones has cred
It for any amount"
He bought the stock of all the deal
ers, and each man Rugged himself with
delight because he had sold his salt
petre, until he had discovered that
there was none in the market, and the
price had advanced; therefore the bal
ance of his days he cursed the tricky
Yankee.
Meanwhile "Mr Jones" had bought
all the saltpetre in London at what
was virtually his own price. When he
came to the last dealer, however,
some rumor had preceded him, and the
dealer said:
81 have 500 bags, and it is not for
SALE"
"Ah!" said "Mr. JONES'" "you are
keeping it for a curio. Good morn
ing"
This great supply of saltpetre bought,
the next thing was to hire ships 20
carry it to America He found Ameri-
can vessels in Liverpool which would
undertake to transport it, a matter of
some risk, for saltpetre was contraband
of war.
The loading began; everything
moved slowly. Mr.. Dupont was exas-
perated at the tedious delays, for all
the means of transportation moved de-
liberately in England. At last the
vessels were ready, and he informed
the harbor master that the ships would
sail at high tide that evening. The
harbor master found it impossible to
have the papers ready-it would take
two or three days. There was red tape
here and red tape there. Mr.. Dupont
was now in fever of impatience Ev-
cry hour increased the danger of the
government finding out that all the
saltpetre in England was about to go
over the sea; another days delay and
the ships might not sail at all. He
pressed the harbormaster for the clear
ance papers. The polite official explain
ed that it would cost him his position
if it was known that he had violated
the rules.
And how much is your position
worth?"
Three hundred pounds year."
Mr.. Dupont looked at the harboE
master attentively-he was a man of
over sixty years. Then he put his
hands in his pockets and looked out the
office window, which bristled with
masts of all nations. Now. Mr.. Du-
pont knew his Dumas well, and al
that method he was turning over in
his mind the method of the Count of
Monte Cristo used to rid a garden Of
dormice which ate his peaches.
Il should like to draw a check for
$4,000 in exchange for the papers," he
said. The ships sailed on the next
tide.
When. Mr.. Dupont reported to the
secretary of war there was love feast
in the office Of the war department. |
After the congratulations were over
the secretary said How much do we
owe you, Mr.. Dupont?"
The powdermaker named the amount
OF his expenses,to which he added $751;
900 to the harbormaster.
But what charge do you make for
your services in the negotiation?"
Then this Franco-American, who
might have demanded princely sum
for his extraordinary services, bowed |
to the secretary and replied:
Il have had the distinguished honor
Of helping the government; 1 wish
further"
There is sequel to this story. When
the war was over Mr.. Dupont, realiz-
ing the tremendous risk run by the
in relying upon native
saltpeter, set himself to inventing an
substitute, and hereafter, with
mountains of nitrate of soda in Chilli
and potash everywhere, the United
States will never be in such straits
again.
In 1884 this distinguished powder
maker fell victim to his enthusiasm
for his business, and while expert
menting with high explosives, was
killed in an explosion.
LOvesICk snaIIs.