The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-04-20


The latter had turned deaf ear to the
solicitations of her clerical sutton.
Bv truly fearful coincidence, Ahlers
was at that very moment with the girl,
max ing q last effort to win her, So
"Where is Anna Liza?" Numbered
Leopold, as the father of his sweetheart
was vainly endeavoring to hide his con-
fusion.
II will call her." he stammered out at
last.
"Where is she?" demanded the young
Duke, with terrible scowl.
I'm the front room, upstairs, but"
Without waiting fer another word, Leo
pold hurried upstairs and burst into the
What q spectacle burst upon him there
Kneeling before Anna Liza, who kept
her face averted, was the young licentiate,
who just breathed the words, in the tur-
gid style of that period:
"Angelic creature, Cupid has sent me
to thee on the wings of love. Plunge me
not into the abyss of despair by refusing
my hymeneal Offer"
With an unearthly yell of rage, Leopold
tore his sword from the sheath, and, be-
fore the eyes of the frightened Anna Liza
he slaughtered the hapless licentiate.
The girl tainted away. Leopold stood,
still trembling with passion, over the
quivering body of his victim. Then he
went down stairs and told Foehse what
he had done.
So unlimited were at that time even the
powers of petty German sovereigns that
this dreadful crime had absolutely no un-
pleasant consequence for the murderer on
the throne.
On the contrary, the poor licentiate was
ANONYMOUSLY buried in the potters' field,
and few days later Leopold of Anhalt
married Anna Liza amid great popular
festivities and rejoicings.
But now arose another question for the
Duke. Anna Liza, it is true, was his law
full wife, but having no princely blood in
her veins. she could not sit on the throne
by his side, nor claim the title of Ouch
ess. This title could be conferred upon
her only by the German Emperor
Leopold of Austria, who was then the
ruler of the Holy Roman Empire of Ger
man Nationality, as his curious title was,
however, was decidedly averse to conferr-
ing such distinctions and privileges upon
low.b born people, for whom he enter
tanned the utmost contempt. He was, be-
side, a somewhat effeminate person, and
he had heard, with horror and disgust, of
the escapades and violent deeds of the
young ruler of Anhalt.
So, when Leopold applied to him for
the elevation of his wife, Anna Liza, to
the Ducal dignity, the Emperor sent back
a very curt and almost impOlite refusal.
Nothing could exceed Leopold's anger
upon receiving this reply. For days he
raved like mailman; with his own hands
he tore down the painted emblems of the
EmperOr's power, and he had penned al.
ready grOtesque letter to his imperial
namesake, when his wife, Anna Liza,
suggested to him to go personally to
Vienna, and see if he could not persuade
his Imperial Majesty to grant his wish.
Leopold said he would go.
But you must promise me one thing,
love-" she added. "Ycu must keep your
temper in check. If the Emperor proves
memorable, why, then leave him without
getting angry"
Her husband promised that, too; but
the idea that he should keep his temper
under any sort of provocation was ludi-
crous one. Anna Liza learned him and
his character to know much better by and
by:
The Duke went to Vienna, and applied
to the Emperor for an interview. At first
Leopold the First felt disposed not to ad-
nit Leopold of Anhalt at all to his pres
ence. Had he adhered to it he would
have saved himself terrible humilia-
ton.
But he changed his mind, and said to
the chamberlain in waiting.
''Admit His HighnessI'
Leopold was ushered in.
At first he was humble enough toward
the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire
of German Nationality. But, when the
latter said to him.
My dear Duke, how could you have
been guilty of such misstep as to marry
the daughter of low shop keeper I" the
Dukes ire was aroused.
"Your Majesty" he replied, "would
not allow anyone to talk disrespectfullv
about the Empress. In the same manner
herewith forbid you to use such express
sions about my wifer'
The Emperor raised his eyebrows. He
was amazed beyond expression, for no one
had ever ventured to address him in that
strain. But glance at the Duke, who
stood before him with a terrible scowl,
convinced him that he had a dangerous
adversary to deal with.
"This audience is at an end!" said the
Emperor, motioning toward the door.
1t is not, your Majesty" cried the
Duke, no longer able to control his wrath
&C shall not leave this room until you
have written me letter making my wife
a Duchess!"
So saying he took from his belt two
pistols, and, throwing one of them to the
Emperor, he added:
I" l have as good blood in me as Austri.
an ever had. You have insulted nv wife,
and you shall answer for it now ana here,
pistol in hand, or give me satisfaction by
writing the letter demand!"
The Emperor was speeches. with ter
ror; for the flashing eyes of the Duke
showed him plainly that he was in dead
earnest. He cast timid glance toward
the door. The Duke fastened to it and
locked it.
"Will you write the letter? I ask your
Majesty for the last timep' roared the
Duke.
The Emperor humbled himself by COM
plying with the Dukes demand. The
letter was written, and Leopold pocketed
1t with a profound bow. Then he un-
locked the door and hurriedly left the I'M
perial Palace. The Emperor was over
come with shame and rage.
But what was he to dor The best policy
for him to adopt was that of silence.
So Leopold of Anhalt was permitted to
leave Vienna without let or hinderance.
Upon his return to Dessau, Anna Liza
was solemnly proclaimed Princess of
the German Empire. She lived happily
with her eccentric husband, to whom she
bore large family OF children.
The peculiar manner in which he had
obtained the Emperor's consent tn her ele-
walton to the Ducal dignity, did not be-
come known until after Leopold's death.
The Emperor had died already in 17O5,
and there is some reason to believe that
the shock he had received at that memoir
able interview, was the first nail to his
coffin.
,- sHe's . Brick"
If it is slang, it 10 really classical
slang. And yet Of the thousands who use