Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-03-01
CHAPTER xxXv.
A DAY OF MIRACLES.

The regent of France kept hi.
promise to Law, and the latter in turr
fulfilled his prophecy to the regent
The Banque Generate de Las ct Com.
pagnie was seized upon by the public
debtor and creditor alike, as the one
new thing, and hence as the only sal
walton. AS ever, it pleased Paris to be
mystified. In some way the rumol
spread about that Monsieur Las was
philosophique; that the Banque Gen.
erale was founded upon philosophy
1t was catch-word sufficient for the
time.
'Vive Jean Las, lie philosophe Mon.
sieur Las, he who has saved France!,'
So rang the cry of the shallew-witted
people of an age splendid even in its
contradictions. And meantime the
new bank, crudely experimental as 1t
was, aourished as though its master
spirit had indeed in his possession the
philosophers stone, turning all things
to gold
One day, shortly after the beginning
of that brilliant spectacular series OF
events destined SO soon to make Paris
the Mecca of the world, there sat at
table, in little, obscure cabaret of the
gay city, a group of persons VINO
seemed to have chosen that spot for
purposes Of privacy. Yet privacy was
difficult where all the curious passers-
by 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 and INSCRIPTIONS representa-
tive 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 hook
nosed Jew from Austria, Fraslin by
name, one of many of his kind gathered
so quickly within the last few weeks
in Paris, even as the scent of carrion
fetches ravens to the feast. Another
of the party was man of middle age,
of handsome, calm, patrician features
and an unruff1ed mien-that De Ia
Chaise. nephew of the confessor of
Louis the Grand, who was later to rep
resent the young king in the provinces
of Louisiana.
Near by the latter, and indeed the
central figure of this gathering, was
one less distinguished than either Of
the above, evidently neither of church
~ ancestry nor civic distinction
Henri Varenne, sometime clerk for
the noted Paris Freres, farmers of the
national revenues. Varenne, now serv-
ing but as clerk in the new bank of
Las ct Compagnie, could have been
called q man of not great standing:
yet 1t was he whose presence had called
hither these others to this unusual
meeting. In point of fact, varenne
was spy chosen by the jealous Paris
Freres, to learn what he might Of the
internal mechanism of this new and
startling institution which had sprung
into such sudden prominence.
AS to the bank of these brothers
Las" said the Prince de Cont, rap
ping out emphasis with his sword hilt
on the table, sit 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 fifty 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 value
received Now, my notary tells me
that these words make this absolutely
safe, so that know what 1t means in
coin to me at this day, or year from
now. Is it not SO, Monsieur Fraslin?"
The Jew reached out his hand, took
the note, and peered over it in close
scrutiny.
tbs no wonder, Monsieur lie Prince %
said he, presently, that orders have
been given by the government to re-
ceiye this note without discount for
the payment Of the general taxes.
Upon my reputation, must say to you
that these notes will pass current bet
ter than your uncertain coin. The
specie of the king has been changed
twice in value by the kings orders.
Yet this bases itself upon a specie
value which is not subject to any
change. Therein lies it's own value y
"It is indeed true" broke in Var
enne. mot day goes by at this new
bank but persons come to us and de-
mand our notes rather than coin OF
the realm of France" 4
Yes, yes" broke in the prince, I'VE
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
"The rumor is, as understand it,
answered Varenne. that he is to take
over control Of the Company of the
West-to succeed, in short, to the shoes
of Anthony Crozat. There come GU
rious stories of this province of Louisi-
ana"
"Of course" resumed the prince
with easy wisdom, 1--WE all of us know
of the voyage Of L'Euillier, who, with
his four ships, went up this great river
Messasebe, and who, as is we'll known,
found that river of Blue Earth, de-
scribed by early writer's as Astounding
in gold and gems"
aye, and there comes the strange
part of 1t, and this is what l would lay
before your lordships. as bearing up
on the value of the shares of this new
bank, since it is taking over the char
ter 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 prov
inces.
Now, as you say, LHuillier had
with him four ships, and it is well
known that his gentlemen had with