The Minneapolis journal., 1902-11-14

~ ~ SS*SSXS S%S N ~ ~ ~ " ~ 1VS1N
Of the streams, as common as pebbles
here in France. The climate is such that
all things grow in the most unrivaled
fruitfulness. There is neither too much
sun nor too much rain. The lakes and
rivers are vast and beautiful, and the
forests are filled with myriads of strange
and sweet-voiced birds. 'Tis said that
the dream Of Ponce de Leon hath been
realized, and that not only one, but scores
Of fountains of youth have been discov-
cred in this great valley. The people are
said never to grow old. Their personal
beauty is Of SURPRISING nature, and their
disposition easy and complaisant to the
last Degree
my faith, say on!' broke in De la
Chaise. "'Tis surely a story of paradise
which you recount
But listen, gentlemen! The story goes
yet farther. AS to mines OF gold and
silver, twas matter of report that such
mines are common in all the valley of the
Messasebe. Indeed the whole surface or
the earth, in some parts, is covered with
Jumps of gold, so that the natives care
nothing for it. The bottom of the
streams, the bea ches of the lakes, carry
as many particles Of gold as they nave
pebbles and little stones. AS for silver,
none take note Of it. 'Tis used as build
ing stone
In the name OIL Jel1OFd4' 10 Ii1SA sup
port for these wonders you have spoken?
broke In Fraslin the Jew, his eyes shining
with suppressed excitement,
"Assuredly. Yet am telling not halt or
the news which came to my knowledge this
very morning-the story is said to nave
ernanated from the Palais Royal itself,
and therefore, no DOUBT, Is to be traced to
this same unknown queen OF the Mes
sasebe. She reports, so it Is said, that
beyond the country where L'Huillier Sc
cured his cargo of blue EARTH there is a
land where grows a most peculiar plant.
The meadows and fields are covered Win
it, and it is said that the dews of night,
which gather within the petals Of these
flowers, become, in a single day, moth
ing less than a single diamond stone!
From this in time the leaves drop down,
leaving the diamond exposed there, shin
ing and radiant"
,"Ah, bah!' broke in Fraslin the Jew.
why believe such babblings? Wen. we
all know that the diamond Is a product not
of the vegetable but of the mineral
world!''
so have we known many things
stoutly replied Varenne, "only to find our
selves frequently mistaken. Now for my.
part, a diamond is a didamond, be 1T born
in flower or broken from a rock. And
as for the excellence of these stones, tits
rumored that the lady hath abundant
proof 'Tis MO wonder that the natives
of the valley of the Messasebe robe them
selves in silks, and that they deck them
selves carefully with precious stones, as
would peasant Of ours with a chain of
daisy blossoms. Now, If there be such
wealth as this, is it not easy to see the
profit Of a bank which controls the trade
with such a province? True, there have
been some discoveries in this valley, but
nothing thorough. 'Tis but recent the
thing hath been done thorough
The Prince de Cont sat hack in his
chair and drew a long breath. IF these
| things be true,' said he, then this Mon
! sieur LAS is not so bad a leader to fol-
| low"
But listen" exclaimed Varenne, once
| more. Il have not even yet told you the
| most important thing, and this is run1or
which perhaps your grace has caught.
| 'Tis whispered that the bank Of the
| brothers Las is within a fortnight to be
| changed" -
What is that!" queried Fra slim, quick
| 1y. '"Tis not to be abandoned?"
"By no means. Abandoned would be
| quite the improper word. 'Tis to be i'm
| proved, expanded, increased, magnified!
My Lords, there is the opportunity of a
lifetime for every one Of. us. here!s =:
Say on, man, say on!' commanded the
prince, the ;coyetousness of his soul shin
ing in his eyes as he leaned forward.
| II mean to say this" and the spy low
| cred his voice as he looked anxiously
about. 1.-The regent hath taken a fancy to
! be chief owner himself of an enterprise
so profitable. In fine, the Banque Cen
erale is to become the Banque
resented by his grace the regent, is to
become the head banker of France and
| Europe! Monsieur Las is to be retained
as director general Of this Banque Royale.
There are to be branches fixed in different
| cities of the realm, at Lyons, at Tours,
lot Ar,inr ~ pro all of0 VII e..
all France Is to go upon a different foot
| ing"
The glances Of the Prince de Cont and
the Austrian met each other. The Jew
! drew long breath as he sat back in his
| chair, his hands grasping at the edge of
| the table. Try" as he might, he scarce
could keep his chin from trembling. He
licked out his tongue to moisten his lips.
l. "There is so much" resumed Varenne.
"that tits hard to tell it all. But you
must know that this Banque Royale will
| be still more powerful than the old one
| There will be incorporated with it, not only
the Company Of. the West, but also the
General Company Of the Indies as you
know, the most considerable mercantile
enterprise of France. Now listen! Within
the first year the Banque Royale will is
sue one thousand million livres in notes.
This embodiment Of the Compagnie Gen.
erale Of the Indies will warrant, as know
by the secret plans Of the bank. the issue
of notes amounting to two billion livres.
Therefore, as Monsieur de la Chaise sig
mites, he who Is lucky enough to-day to
own few actions Of the Banque Roya1e,
or even the old actions of Monsieur Las
bank, which will be redeemed by it's sue
cessor, Is In way to gain greater sums
than were ever seen on the face of any
investment from the beginning of the
world until to-day! Now, as WAS about
L. r,lrx Cy-z
The speaker turned in his chair to where
Fraslin had been but moment before.
The chair was empty. .
I "Our friend stepped to the door but on
the instant" said De Ia Chaise. "He is
perhaps -: 81. f.. ",.s,;
"That he has cried Varenne. 'He is