Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-04-20

my first act as ruler shall be to make you
nv wife,
For eleven months he remained with
Prince Eugene, fighting bravely against
the French, and obtaining among his CON-
rades the honorable surname g the lion OF
Anhalt."
Then he was sent to Italy, and kept
there until he was of age.
During all this time be had constantly
correspondent with his girl. His letters
have all been preserved; they are those of
avery illiterate man, but in other respects
they are quite asremarkable as the famous
love correspondence between Abelard and
Heloise.
He retuned with the utmost quickness
to Dessau and rode srraightway TO the
house of MIR. Foehse, the druggist. his in
tended father-in-law.
The old druggist did not at once re-
cognize the young hero, for he had
changed markedly since he had gone away
from home
WHO may you be, STRIP asked the
druggist.
"Himneldoanertcetter, Mr.. Foesher
cried the Duke, don't you know meg''
+" Great heavens! is that you, your High.
ness ?"
Where is Anna Liza."
The poor druggist had turned very
pale, for, believing that the Duke would
never marry his daughter, he had encour.
aged Mr.. Peter Ahlers, a young licentiate
of theology, to court Anna Liza.
The latter had turned deaf ear to the
solicitations of her clerical suitor.
By a truly fearful coincidence, Ahlers
OF lxot tx.-stl Il
making last effort to win her.
Where is Anna Liar" Numbered
Leopold, as the father of his sweetheart
was vainly endeavoring to hide his con-
fusion
- will call her." he stammered out at
last.
"Where is shes" demanded the young
Duke, with a terrible scowl.
I'm the front room, upstairs, but
Without waiting for another word, Leo
pold hurried upstairs and burst into the
front room.
What 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 born people, for whom he enter
tanned the utmost contempt. He was, be-
side, 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
rayed like a mailman with his own hands
he tore down the painted emblems of the
Emperor's power, and he had penned al
ready a 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. You must keep your
temper in check. If the Emperor proves
memorable, why, then leave him without
betllug 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 adj
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 Highness"
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 the
Dukes ire was aroused.
"Your Majesty" he replied, would
not allow anyone to talk disrespectiuliy
about the Empress. In the same manner
l herewith forbid YOU to use such express
sions about my wife,
The Emperor raised his eyebrows. He
..~..,,nJ bayrnI oynraasian for no one