Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-05-03
CHAPTER IL.

When our branch was established at
Nottingham there had been an arrange
ment made between ourselves and the
government, by the terms of which we
were to have the government business,
and to occupy, in fact. much that quasi
official position enjoyed by the Bank of
England at home. AS a quid pro quo the
bank was to lend to the republic the sum
of 100000 at per cent. The President
was at the time floating a loan of one
million dollars for the purpose of works
at the harbor of Nottingham. This as
tute ruler had, it seemed, hit on the plan
of instituting public works on a large
scale as a corrective to popular discon-
tent, hoping thereby not only to develop
trade, but also to give employment to
many persons who, if unoccuped became
centers of agitation. Such at least was
the official account of his policy whether
it was the true one 1 saw reason to
doubt later on. AS regards this loan, my
office was purely ministerial. The ar
rangements were duly made, the proper
guarantees given, and the June after my
arrival l had the pleasure of handing over
to the President the S500,000 l learned
from him on that occasion, that to his
great qualification, the balance of the loan
had been taken up.
1--WE shall make a start at once, sir"
said the President, in his usual confident
but quiet way. I'm two years Whiting
ham harbor will walk over the world
Don't be afraid about your interest. Your
directors never made a better invest
ment."
l thanked his excellency and withdrew
with a peaceful mind. / had no respon-
sibility in the matter, and cared nothing
whether the directors got their interest or
not. / was, however, somewhat curious
to know who had taken up the rest of the
loan, a curiosity which was not destined
to be satisfied for some time.
The works were begun and the inter
est was paid, but / cannot say that the
harbor progressed rapidly; in fact, doubt
if more than 100000 ever found their
way into the pockets of contractors or
workmen over the job. The President had
some holes dug and some walls built
having reached that point, about two
years after the interview above recorded
he suddenly drew off the few laborers still
employed and matters came to a dead
stop.
1t was shortly after this occurrence
that l was honored with an invitation tC
dine at the Golden House. 1t was il
the month of July. Needless to say,
accepted the invitation, not only because
it was in the nature of a command, bu
also because the President gave uncom
monty good dinners, and, although a bach
elor had as we'll ordered a household a.
1 have ever known. My qualification wal
greatly increased when, on my arrival,
found myself the only guest, and realized
that the President considered my societ,
in itself enough for an evenings enter
tainment. 1t did cross my mind that thi
might mean business, and 1 thought /
none the worse for that.
We dined In the famous veranda, tn
scene of so many Whittingham functions
The dinner was beyond reproach. TIL
President was a charming companion
Though not, as l have limited, a man o
much education, he had had a wide sI
perience of life, and had picked up a man
ner at once quiet and cordial, which se
me completely at my ease. Moreover, b