Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-12-17
LASKER'S LOVE.
A Romantic Episode in the Career of
the Great German Statesman.

GdleestoH Opera Glass.
1t is quite by accident that | eame
across an old German paper recently
wherein found the outline of a romance
that may prove interesting to our read.
ers. lnasmuch as the hero of it was of late
visitor in Galveston, and made MANY
friends, who, though recognizing in Dr.
Edward Lasker one who has led an event
iul life, would scarcely have associated
MIN win an affair OF the heart. Judging
from the fact that he is still a bachelor. II
may be said to have made a life impress
sion on one who would not generally be
credited with having had room for tender.
ness in the heart which he seems to have
devoted to his country and to his Deople.
ana to the cause of the oppressed and
down-trodden everywhere.
In 1868 DR.. Lasker, then one of the most
aggressive of the Liberal leaders, formed
the acquaintance of young lady in Ber-
lin, Miss FranZiska Russak. the niece
and adopted daughter of wealthy land
owner, who was, however, strong sup
porter OF the government. The Young
lady admired the spirit of the young doc
tor and his steadfast devotion to the cause
Of the people, returned the sentiment
which the young man had not hesitated to
impart.
But the current of true love never did
run as smooth as might be desired, and
in this particular case the stream was a
very turbulent one indeed. The uncle
was apprised of the state of affairs by the
sultor, but turned deaf ear to ali en-
treaties. He told the doctor that Fran
Zlska could never marry one who was
opposed to "the best government the world
ever saw" with his consent. and that if
she married contrary to his wishes she
would not get one cent of the Russak for
tune. To this the doctor replied that he
wanted no fortune, nor anything else ex-
cept the lady. FranZiska, however, while
willing to foregO the fortune, was unwill-
ling to incur the displeasure of her uncle,
to whom she was much attached,
After that the uncle tried to arrange
other matches for his niece, but she. true
to her first and only love, refused all of
fers, no matter how brilliant, and some OF
them were very brilliant indeed.
In year or more after the first visit of
DR.. Lasker 10 the Russak mansion the old
man thought it wrong to balk the girls
fancy longer and accordingly sent for Dr.
Lasker, and in the presence of the young
lady he withdrew his objections provided
that the doctor would in the future discon-
tinue his activity on behalf of the Liberal
party, and espouse the cause of the gov
ernment. The proposition was scornful-
ly rejected by DIR. Lasker, who said on that
occasion that he felt that his wife would
ever despise him, as he would despise
himself, for 50 base a treachery.
One day, few months later, Bismarck
sent for Mr.. Russak, and though the result
of that conference may never be known,
1t is, nevertheless, certain that on the
next day DIR. Lasker was again sent for
by the uncle of his idol.
At this interview the old man said that
he had reconsidered his proposition, and
wanted to temper the severity of his for
mer alternative. He represented to the
young man the dangers that were incurred
by any who opposed the government, and
recalled instances of Imprisonment of
young men who had gone a step too far.
lie SAID he would consent to the marriage
II the young man would withdraw from
politics, and while he might entertain
what views he chose, never to express
them in public; and to make this offer the
more tempting, large sum was named
as being at his disposal on the day of the
marriage.
But the convictions and predictions of
the young man were not to be shaken,
and an interview followed between him
self and the young lady, i'll which she
plighted her love to him anew, but COM
mended his determination to stand by
his principles.
In less than year from that time the
young lady died in foreign land, whittier
her uncle had journeyed in the hope that
new scenes and the excitement of travel
would cause her to forget her passion.
Dr. Lasker never married. Perhaps
Russak would have been less exacting in
his opposition had he been able to tore
cast the fame that the fnture had in store
for the rejected suitOr.