The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1907-05-03
CHAPTER II.

| CHAPTER II.
| 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 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 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 corrective to popular discon-
| tent, hoping thereby not only to develop
trade, but also to give employment to
many persons who,, If unoccupied, became
csHters Of agitation. Such at least was
| the official account of his policy; whether
it was tho true one ! 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 had the pleasure Of handing over
to the President the 100000. learned
from him on that occasion, that to his
great qualification, the balance of the loan
had been taken up.
I'VE shall make start at once, sir"
| said the President, in his usual confident
| but quiet way. "In two years Whiting
| ham harbor will walk over the world.
Don't be afraid about your interest. Your
directors never made better invest
| ment."
| | thanked his excellency and withdrew
| with a peaceful mind. l had no respon-
| sibility in the matter, and cared nothing
whether the directors got their interest or
not. l was, however, somewhat curious
to know who had taken up the rest of the
loan, 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 to
dine at the Golden House. 1t was in
the month Of July. Needless to say, l
accepted the invitation, not only because
it was in the nature Of command, but
also because the President gave uncom.
monty good dinners, and, although bach,
elor had as well ordered household as
have ever known. My qualification was
greatly increased when, on my arrival,
found myself the only guest, and realized
that the President considered my society
in itself enough for an evenings enter
; tainment. 1t did cross my mind that this
might mean business, and l thought il
Z none the worse for that.
, We dined in the famous veranda, tn,
scene Of so many Nottingham functions
The dinner was beyond reproach. TIL,
/. President was a charming companion
> Though not, as / have limited, man o
much education, he had had a wide ex
, perience of life, and had picked up man
4 ner at once quiet and cordial which Sc
q me completely at my ease. Moreover, h
: paid me the compliment, always so swee
+ to youth, of treating me as a man Of tn
world. With condescendng confidence h
o told me many tales of his earlier days
and as he had been everywhere, his con
/ versation was naturally most interesting
: Dinner was over mad the table cleare
v before the President seemed inclined TO
d serious conversation. Then he said sud
f denly:
). 'Mr. Martin. this country Is in peril
y Gus condition"
t. "Your excellency," said 1, do you refe
II to the earthquake?" There had been
d slight shock few days before.)
n mo, sir" he replied, ito the finances
; The harbor works have proved far mo,
e expensive than anticipated. l hold
u my hand the engineers certificate ths
l. $903, 900 has been actually expended Q
a them, and they are not inished-not b
J. any means finished"
a They certainly were not; they wei
lie hardly begun.
I. Dear me-" ventured to say. "thi
a seems a good deal Of money, considerir
4, what theirs ia to show for 1t"
ID you cannot doubt the certificate, ID
At Martin" said the President.
Sc did doubt the certificate, and shou
IN have liked ito ask what fee the engines
h. had received. But 1 hastily said 1t wa
Of course, beyond suspicion.