The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-04-20
THE GOLDEN-HEARTED TYRANT.

LIE UVllDLNshEAhlL Ell 1nAN1s
Few Princes of distinction in the his
tory of the world ever displayed more
eccentric traits than Leopold of Dessau,
one of the greatest generals of his time,
and famous as the victor of Kesselsdorf,
strategic triumph, which Frederick
the Great declared Caesar or Hannibal
need not be ashamed of.
But greatly at variance with his bril-
liant war record was the private history
of this remarkable Duke of Dessau. His
whole career as a ruler, and in all rela-
tions of life other than military, was a
strange mixture of outbursts of uncon-
trollable passion, absolutist tendencies
worthy of an old-fashioned Turkish
Pasha, measures of sterling common
sense, and manifestations of the utmost
kind-heartedness. In consequence, his
subjects hated and loved him, and the
great Leibnitz called him "that golden
hearted tyrant."
Leopold's character was due, in a great
measure, to the extraordinary circum.
stances under which he grew up. His
parents, excellent but narrow-minded
people, had lost their eight children in
rapid succession. They had already
abandoned all hopes of having further
offspring when little Leopold's birth
filled them with indescribable joy.
The father was especially jubilant.
Lest he should lose this precious child,
too, he gave stringent orders to all his
attendants never to arouse the boys
anger, never to trouble him with any
book-learning, never to thwart any of
his caprices, however foolish they might
be.
In consequence, young Leopold grew
up in the most blooming health, but a
more self-willed, impetuous, and violent
lad could not be imagined. His doting
father died when the son was but four
teen years old, and left Leopold's educa-
tion in the hands of the affectionate but
weak mother.
In his eighteenth year, at a rural ball,
Leopold made the acquaintance of Anna
Liza, youngest daughter of Mr.. Foeshe,
poor druggist of Dressau. The girl,
who vas a very charming specimen of
sweet sixteen, kindled the Princes in
flammable heart. He danced with her
all the afternoon, and, before they parted,
he was head over ears in love with her.
When the ball was at an end, he said to
her:
Gamma Liza, love you."
The girl blushed to the roots of her
hair, and made no reply.
"Anna Liza" continued young Leo
pold, GO will make you my wife. You
shall become Duchess of Dessaup
She lifted her beautiful eyes to him
and replied:
"Prince, you are making fun of mel"
He swore a terrible oath-for he had
learned all that already-that no power
on earth should prevent him from keep
ing his word.
"But what will your mother say to
it?" asked the girl timidly.
II will go on the spot to her, and ask
her consent" replied the young lover,
in tone of the most inhexible determ-
ination. "But you, Anna Liza, will you
become my wife? ?" he added, bending on
her burning glance.
Anna Liza was an ambitious girl; she
liked Leopold, and SO she whispered with
another still deeper blush:
eyes, Princep
There was the customary kiss given
by the Prince with the utmost warmth,
whereupon he hurried away in order to
obtain his mothers consent.
Now at that time unions between the
princes of sovereign houses and the
daughters of poor burghers were abso-
lutely unheard of. So, when Leopold
bluntly told his mother that he had
asked the poor druggists daughter to
become his wife, the good old Duchess
was almost petriied with astonishment
and dismay. Clasping her hands over
her head, she exclaimed:
Leopold, my son, you must be mad!"
"Never was in better possession Of my
mental faculties than at this moment,
he replied with the utmost unconcern.
81 But the thing is utterly impossible,
my son. What the future ruler of the
ancient house of Anhalt, the peer of the
proudest Princes in the world, should
demean himself so. low as to bestow his
hand upon a commoper's daughter"
"I love Anna Liza, and she shall be-
come my wife," replied the son, stub
bornly.
Vainly did the mother represent to hin
that he was too young to marry vainly
did she implore him not to disgrace hi
family, as she called it, by making a pill
vender's daughter the partner OF hi
bosom.
"I shall marry herp he cried at last
furiously stamping his foot, "and M
power on earth shall keep me from 1t y
The mother, who knew his temper
Immediately ceased arguing with him.
No sooner had he stormed from hel
room than she sent for General Ditmar
the commander-in-ch the little army
of Anhalt, and the young Princes mill
tary superior. The Duchess told him al
about her sons project.
~ will put stop to it," said the ole
General.
He sent for the Prince.
"Prince," he said to him, chow sooi
can you be ready to leave DessauT
"In two hours" replied the Prince.
"In one hour" thundered the General
"I send you as our commissioner TO tn,
army, fighting under Prince Eugen
against the troops under the King o
France. Captain Bellmann and Vol
Fliess shall be your aids. Two orderlie
shall accompany you. March u
Leopold was an enthusiastic soldier
and he knew that the orders OF hi
superiors must be obeyed at al
hazards.
So he hurried TO Anna Liza and bad
her an afiectionate farewell, after maxim
her promise that she would remain tru
TO him, no matter how long he shoul'
stay away from Dessau.
GIn three years" he said, +" shall be O