The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-19
ROMANCE OF HISTORY.
The Golden-Hearted Tyrant, and a Most
Eccentric Prince

Tho Golden Hearted Tyrant, and a Most
Eccentric Prince.
Few princes of distinction in the
history of the world displayed ever
more eccentric traits than Leopold of
Dessua, one of the greatest generals of
his day, and famous as the victor of
Kesselsdorf, a strategic triumph,
which Friedrich the Great declared CB-
sar or Hannibal need not be ashamed
Of.
But greatly at variance with his
brilliant war record was the private
history of this remarkable Duke of
Dessau. His whole career as ruler,
and all relations of life other than mill
itary, was a strange mixture of out
bursts OF uncomfortable passion, abso-
lutest tendencies worthy Of an old
fashioned Turkish Pashaw, measures
of sterling common sense, and mani
festations Of the utmost kind-hearted-
ness. In consequence, his subjects
hated and loved him, and the great
Leibnitz called him t'that golden-heart-
ed tyrant.''
Leopold's character was due, in a
great measure, to the extraordinary
circumstances 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 indes-
cribable 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 vio-
lent lad could not be imagined. His
doting father died when the son was
but fourteen years old, and left Leo
pold's education in the hands of the af-
fectionate, but weak mother.
In his eighteenth year, at a rural
ball, Leopold made the acquaintance of
Anna Liza, youngest daughter of Mr..
foeshe, a poor druggist of Dessau.
The girl, who was very charming
specimen of sweet sixteen, kindled the
Princes inflammable 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:
"Anna Liza, love YOU"
The girl blushed to the roots of her
hair, and made no reply.
Gamma Liza,' continued young Leo
pold, 81 will make you my wife. You
shall become Duchess of Dessau!''
She lifted her beautiful eyes to him
and replied:
''Prince, you are making fun of me!''
lie swore terrible oath-for he had
learned all that already-that no power
on earth should prevent him from
keeping 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 infexible deter
mination. "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 50 she whis'
perered with another still deeper blush:
eyes, Prince -
There was the customary kiss given
by the Prince with the utmost warmth
whereupon he hurried away in order tc
obtain his mothers consent.
Now at that time unions between the
princes of sovereign houses and thu
daughters of poor burghers were abso
lutely unheard of. So, when Leopold
bluntly told his mother that he hat
asked the poor druggists daughter II