The Minneapolis journal., 1902-11-14
CHAPTER v.
A Day Of Miracles.

A Day Of Miracles.
The regent of France kept his promise
to. Law. and the latter in turn fulfilled
his prophecy to the regent. Moreover. he
swiftly went far toward verifying his:
boast to the Lady Catharine KnOlys; for
in less than a month his name was in
deed on every tongue in Paris The Ban
que Generate de Las ct Compagnie was
seized upon by the public, debtor and
creditor alike, the one new thing, and
hence as the only salvation. AS ever, 1t
pleased Paris to be nlystifed. In some
way the rumor spread about that Mon
s1eur Las was philosophique; that the
Banque Generate was founded upon
philosophy" 1t was catchword suffi-
cient for the time.
"Vive Jean Las, le philosophe-Mon-
s1eur Las he who has saved F'rance!"
So rang the cry of the shallow -witted
people Of an age splendid even in it's
contradictions. And meantime the new
bank, crudely experimental as it was,
flourtshed as though it's master spirit had
indeed in his possession the philosophers
stone, turning all things to gold
One day, shortly after the beginning of
that brilliantly spectacular series Of events
destined so soon to make Paris the Mecca
or the world, there sat at table, In a little
obscure cabaret Of the gay city, a group
OF persons who seemed to have chosen
that spot for purposes of privacy Yet
privacy was difficult where all the curious
passers-b stared in amaze at the great
coach near the door, half filling the narrow
and unclean Street-a vehicle bearing the
arms OF no less person than that august
ana unscrupulous representative of the
french nobility, the Prince de Cont. No
less person than the prince himself
thin faced, aquiline and naughty. sat at
this table. looking about him like any
common criminal to note whether his
speech might be overheard. Next to him
sat a hook -nosed Jew from Austria, Fras-
lin oy name one of many Of his kind
gathered so quickly within the last few
weeks in Paris, even as the scent of car
rlon fetches ravens to the feast. Another
OF the party was a man Of middle age of
handsome, calm patrician features and
an unruffied mien-that De Ia Chaise,
nephew of the confessor Of Louis the
Grand. who was later to represent the
young King In the provinces of louisiana
Near by the latter and indeed the GEN.
tral figure Of this gathering, was one less
distinguished than either Of the above,
evidently neither Of churchly ancestry nor
civic distinction-Henri Varenne, some
Arne clerk for the noted Paris Freres. far
.Eers OF the national revenues. Varenne,
now serving but as clerk in the new bank
OF Las ct Compagnie, could have been
called a man or no great standing; yet it
was he whose presence had called hither
Ihese others TO this unusual meeting. In
point of fact. Varenne was a spv a srv
CHOSEN by the jealous Paris Freres, to
learn what he might of the internal mech
anlSm or this new and startling institution
which had sprung into such sudden prorni-
nencc.
AS to the bank Of these brothers Las"
said the Prince de Cont, rapping out en-
phasls WITH his sword hilt on the table,
ut surely has much to commend it, Here
IS one OF Its notes, and witness what it
says The bank promises to pay to the
bearer at sight the sum of SO livres in coin
OF the weight and standard of this day'
That is to say, of this date which it bears
Following these are the words .Va]ne va.
celVeu. Now, my notary tells me that
these words make this absolutely safe. so
that l know what it means In coin to me
at TINS day or year from now. Is it not
SO, monsieur Fraslin?"
The Jew reached out his hand, took the
hote, and peered over it in close scrutiny.
lis no wonder, Monsieur le Prince. -
. said ne, presently, that orders have been
given by the government to receive this
note without discount for the payment
OF the general taxes. Upon my reputa-
ton, must say to you that these notes
will pass current better than your nm
certain coin. The specie Of the king has
peen changed twice in value by the kings
orders Yet this bases itself upon specie
value which is not subject to any change,
1T is indeed true" broke in Varenne.
mot a day goes by at this new bank
but persons come to us and demand our
notes rather than coin Of the realm of
France
Yes, yes" broke in the prince, "we
are agreed as to all this, but there is
much talk about further plans of this
Monsieur Las. He has the ear of his
grace the regent, surely. Now, sir, tell
us what you know of these future affairs -
1.-The rumor is, as I understand it.,
answered Varenne, that he is to take
over the control of the Company of the
West-to succeed, in short, to the shoes
of Anthony Crozat. There come curious
stories of this province Of louisiana"
."Of course resumed the prince, with
easy wisdom, 1--WE all Of us know of the
voyage Of L'Huillier, who, with his four
ships. went up this great river Messasebe,
and who, as is we'll known, found that
river of Blue Earth described by early
writers as abounding In gold and gems.'
AYE, and there comes the strange part
Of it, and this is what I would lay be-
fore your lordships, as bearing upon the
value of the shares Of this new bank,
since it is taking over the charter of the
Company Of the West. 1t is news not yet
known upon the street. The story goes
that the half has not been told of the
wealth of these provinces.
'Now, as you say, L'Huillier had with
him four ships, and it is we'll known that
his gentlemen had with them certain
ladies Of distinction, among these a mys-
terious dame reported to have earlier
traveller in portions Of New France. The
name Of this mysterious female is not
known, save that she is reported to have
been a good friend of a sous-lieutenant
Of the regiment Carignan, sometime
dweler at Quebec and Montreal and who
later became a lieutenant under L'Huil-
lier. 1t is said that this same mysterious
fair. having returned from America and
having cast aside her lieutenant, has come
under protection Of no less a person than
his Grace Philippe Of Orleans, the regent
Now, as you know, the bank is the best
friend of the regent, and this mysterious
ad1ziSed h11s ts