Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1905-03-31
THE POWER OF MONEY

w JalfiC u 81 ~ q W
st. Lazare, after a rather tiresome
trip from Cherbourg, where he had
landed from one OF the North German
Lloyd liners, he had just $50 francs
in his possession. He might have lived
on this money for two months until
he should have been able TO get a posi-
ton as valet for one of his numerous
American countrymen In that city. but
this thought never entered his mind.
He was q man of far greater talents,
and had his face not been too familiar
to the officers of the great ocean grey
hound, who warned his fellow passen-
gers against playing cards with him,
he would not now Ia been in this
embarrassing position. As 1t was. he
had, however. TO max the best OF IL.
His subtitle only one he had, by the
way--was faultless, and for q few
francs he bought an elegant second
hand trunk covered With hotel labels
from all parts of the world. This he
filed with old paper TO give il weight.
hired a cab and told the driver To take
him to the Hotel There, a small pri-
waite, but elegantly appointed hotel,
frequented by wealthy and fashionable
people. Here he hired a suite of rooms
on the first floor and Immediately
gave the waiter Il tip OF thirty francs
out OF the none he still a left.
His first visit was to Duyal, the swell
Canadian tailor, from whom he ordered
ten suits of clothes. choosing goods
and cut with fastidiousness which
made a strong impression even on that
naughty person. From Teminore he
ordered shirts. collars, neckties and I'M
derwear with more care han IL he
had been King Edward, who was other
wise the firms most difficult customer.
At a cigar store he bought ten postal
cards which he immediately addressed
10 himself In different handwritings
and mailed them so that he was sure
he would be in when they arrived.
Before his return they had, of course,
all been carefully read by Mime. Ii
bere, the proprietress of the hotel, who
was very much awed by their con-
tents.
One read:
My Dear Sir: Your bid was the
highest for the chateau. with parks
farm buildings and all toe and APP
purtenances. Your certified check for
fifteen hundred thousand rancs was
given in payment, and deed Is now re-
corded in your name. Respectfully,
VINAIGRET, Notary
Another ran thus, in a clear. fine
handwriting:
!" DC1I 1oy ibN ~ III lettt
with you? ! have not seen you for
weeks. Come tomorrow sure, and dine
with us. Faithfully yours,
HENRI ID, ORLEANS,
Duke OF Aumale."
A third was from a lady:
The diamonds are simply superb.
You really spoil me. James. Expect
you tonight,
ANNETTE DE BRuNEJAuLT:"
WI
One afternoon James appeared at
his tailor's.
m. Duval. do you happen to have a
thousand francs In cash that you can
let me have? That VIII save me the
trouble of going to- the bank, and | will
return them at s."
M. Duval, who had seen no money for
his ten suits, at first did not know
what 10 say, nut then he thought that
as long as he was In the soup for three
thousand francs another thousand
would not make much difference. so he
handed over the money with a sickly
smile.
James returned home and asked il
there was any nail for him. received
two letters with ducal %coronets and
pulled out his wallet. asking Nine.
There to give him smaller bills for a
thousand franc note.
With the change IN his pocket he
went to Teminore, ordered a small
change made in his order of neckties.
and then asked the clerk to get him
a Thousand franc bill for a lot OF
change, which took up too much space
In his pocket.
From here 10 his shoemaker, where
he complained about the fit of his last
patent feathers and had his thousand
franc DILL changed for two bills of five
hundred each.
In the restaurant he asked the cash
Ter to oblige him with ten one hundred
franc bills for his two five hundred
franc notes, and at 4:45 he handed his
delighted tailor the ten bills. which he
almost had to force upon him, as M.
Duvai assured him that he did not need
them at all. and that his customer
might need II, as IL was after banking
hours.
Having thus strengthened his credit,
Mr.. James treated himself 20 an extra
bottle OF champagne with his dinner,
which was cheerfully charged to his
account, and while eating he aid
plans for "A greater coup, which would
give him money for a first class pas
sage 10 New York.