The Red Cloud chief., 1876-05-11
OF
The GOlden-Hearte Tyrant.

Few princes OF dlstlnctlOn IN the his
tory of the world displayed ever more
eccentric traits than Leopold of Desssu,
one of the greatest generals of his time,
and famous as the victor of Kesselsdorf,
a-strategetic triumph, which Frederick
the Great declared Caesar or Hinnibal
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
relations Of life other than miIitar Y
was a strange mixture of outbursts of
uncomfortable passion, absolutist ten
dencies worthy of an old -fashioned
Turkish Pasha, measures of sterling
common sense, and manifestations of
the utmost kind-heartedness. In conse-
quence his subjects hated and loved him.
s'that golden hearted tyrant."
Leopold's character was due in a great
measure, to the extrao binary 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 the hopes of 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 so GUS 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, imepetuous, aod violent
lad could not be imagined. His doting
father died when he was but fourteen
years old, and left Leopold's education
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,
a poor druggist of Dessau. The girl,
who was a charming specimen of sweet
sixteen. kindled the princes in1smms-
BILE 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:
"Anns Liza, I love you.'
The girl b!ushed to the roots of her
hair, and made no reply.
sauna Liza" continued young Leo.
pold, " I will make you my wife. You
shall became Duchess of Dessaur"
She lifted her beautiful eyes to him
and replied:
"Prince, you are making fun of me-"
He swore u terrible oath-tor he had
learned 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.
81 will 60 on the spot to her, and ask
her consent" replied the young lover, in
q tone of the most lnfexible determine
ton. "But you, Anna Liza, will you
become my wiiea" he added, bending on
her a burning glance.
Anna Liza was an ambitious girl; she
liked Leopold, and so she whispered
with another still deeper blush:
ayes, Prince"
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 that when Leo.
pold .bluntly told his mother he had
asked the poor druggists daughter TO
become his wife, the good old Duchess
was almost petriied with establishment
and dismay. Clssplng her hands over
her head, she exclaimed:
"Leopold, my son, you must be madf"
"Never was in better possession of my
mental faculties than at this moment"
he replied with the utmost unconcern.