The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-02-23
THE GEROLT ROMANCE.
Why the Minister'S Daughter
Went 10 a. Nunncry.

ton City was recently enacted an the
Diplomatic Corps. For nearly thir-
ty years Baron Gerolt served tho in
terests of Prussia ut Washington
City, and he lived long enough to
rear native-born American children
under the shade of our Capitol, one
of whom married Rangabe, the
Greek Minister. Gerolt owed his
appointment to this country to Baron
| Humboldt, who had been entertain
ed by him while Charge in Mexico,
and who recommended him to the
King of Prussia. Gerolt was an af-
fable, republican sort of n man in so
ciety, fond of the American people,
and his social associates were men
like Charles Sumner and others, who
inclined Kim toward the Federal side
i'll the war of tho rebellion. He
probably got considerable credit for
original principle during the war.
when he was really subordinate to
acquaintances of n stronger will, who
impressed the claims of the North
upon him. 1t is charged that at
h me he was somewhat tyrannical
with his family. us is the German
custom; and that ho and his wife
wished to assert too much authority
over their children, who had inhaled
the breath of the Western Hemis-
| phere. Whatever the interior side of
his life might have been, Gerolt is
remembered enthusiastically by some
of the people of Washington, Re-
publicans and Democrats alike. He
resides ut Linz, near Bonn, in Rhcn-
ish Prussia, and il permanently out
of the diplomatic service of North
Germany.
The Gerolts, though Prussians,
are Catholics. and tho girls were
strictly brought up under the tuition
OF the priests n. Georgetown. Ber-
tina, the youngest daughter Of the
Baron, now about twenty-three years
of age, and very rich and hand
some type of the young German girl, g.,
fell in love, three or four years ago,
with her fathers Secretary of Lega-
ton. tall. handsome, dashing, and
somewhat reckless Prussian, and n
/ connection or relative OF Bismark. -
This young Secretary belonged 10 II
fine old Brandenburg Protestant
family, which had decided notions
against forming Catholic alliances -
| The young gentleman would have
fallen heir, III time, 10 large estates
in Prussia; but these were III some
manner, rs it Is stated, made condi-
tional upon bis keeping up the an
cestral Lutheran faith.
This young Prussiap chap, you
may recollect us Icing the adversary
OF one of our Ministers Lawreuce,
OF Central America-gome two or
three years age, when the two met
on what is called the field of honor,
exchanged shots, and then patched
up the tight without bloodshed. lie
paid court to Bertha Gerolt, and she
was intensely enamored of him. In
order to make the nuptials easy on
both sides, Gerolt applied to the
Catholic Church authorities for an
indulgence, or something, warrant
ing the marriage of this hereditary
Protestant with his Catholic daugh-
ter; but rs it was specified that the
children issuing from such marriage
were to be brought up Protestants,
the Roman dignitaries refused. Ge-
rolt, who appears sincerely to have
wished to please his child. had also
intentions upon the Pope; but, while
these ecclesiastical efforts were being
made, the domestic correspondence
between the secretary and his mother
in Germany, and some ensuing let.
ters from Madame Gerolt to the 9th.
er family, growing warmer and more
indignant from time TO time, had the
effect of racking the poor girls feel.
ings; and, in the end, the handsome
Prussian went off home. This is an
end to the matter up to the present
Bertha Gerolt refused to accompany
either her father or mother to Ger.
many, and has retired to the George
town convent, where some say she
will take the last vail and others
that she will repent after n while and
reappear i'll the world.
Opinion is divided in this city as tc
why Gerolt was remanded to his OWL
E country. Some say that he suffered
certain indignities at the hands of oul
State Department. Others alleg,
that he was inefficient, particularly
, about the time that American arms
were shipped to France to be uset
against the Prussians. It is sale
that, on that occasion, Bismarck ask
ed Bancroft why our Government
permitted such things; and Bancroft
to make it easy for himself, reported
j., that there was Baron Gerolt in Wash
ington, and if he had been attendin:
to his business the arms would hav
been detained. Others say that Cat
acazy drew Gerolt into an intrigue
;. and got him to work against the lat
treaty which We made against tn
> Alabama claims. Whatever the facts
the Baron has gone for good, and hi
q admirers here are preparing to for
!, ward him an elaborate service of sil
= yer, to show that what he did for th
!, country in its crisis is remembered O
: least by its private citizens.
: A bully boy at Iowa City courted
n girl for week. Knowing that pre-
: crastination was the thief of time, b
e got can of oysters and license, in
$ vited the justice to his fair one
!; house at s o'clock, and then went
n popped the question, was accepted
pulled out his document, and inform
= ed the maiden that the squire woul
It be there at eight. She pleaded dc