The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-09-10
Bismarck as Man and Minister.

Hon. John A. Kasson, who repre-
sented the United States q short time
since at the court of Berlin, gives
very entertaining sketch OF Bismarck
in the North American Review for Au-
gust.
Bismarck, it appears, was born cat
the plain family seat of Schonhausen
on the first OF April, 1915" All Eu-
rope was then at war. England, Rus
sia and Prussia were striving to crush
Napoleon. So "the earliest influences
that made an impression on the youth
full mind OF Bismarck were those Of a
bold and self-sacrifcing Prussian pa.
triotism, with sharp hostility to the
French" and OF the glorious services
OF Blucher at Waterloo.
At the age of 6 years he was sent to
school at Berlin to prepare for a uni
versity course in law. As child he
was kind and affectionate, and was
rarely amenable to ccnsure." ALT
he went to the University OF Gotten
gen. At that time che was tall, rather
slender, carried himself erectly, with an
air which did not invite familiarity, but
which then neither repelled, nornow re-
peis, those whose intercourse with him
IS marked by self-respect and respect
for him. At the University the wild
liberty OF the student life took posses
sion of him. He neglected the ect
ures, but fought twenty duels during
the first three terms" At the time OF
examination he gathered himself to-
gether," and managed to take his de-
gree. Then came his service as clerk
OF the city police, and in certain judi
cial and administrative capacities. In
1888 he entered the military service.
For time, in early manhood, he was
undoubtedly "wild," and was even
called mad Bismarck" But in 1S47,
he married most fortunately and hap.
PLY, and settled down finally to his
great career.
Mr.. Kasson tells this interesting
story OF Bismarck's "frst decora-
ton"
While he was serving in the uhlan
Cavalry, in 1912, his groom, who was
these OF a forester on his estate, rode
into the lake to give the horse bath.
Missing his footing, the rider was
thrown, and disappeared in the water
Bismarck was standing with q group
sinking groom. In an instant his
sword and uniform were on theground
and he leaped into thelake. Hefound
| the struggling man and seized him.
But in the blind agony OF q struggling
man he clung SO tightly to his master
that Bismark, helpless, was obliged to
dive with his burden to loosen the
hold. 1t seemed both were lost. But,
soon after, bubbles rose to the surface,
followed by Bismarck, who in the
depths had detached the grip OF
| the man and now appeared, dragging
his groom with him, and swan to the
shore. The inanimate form was re-
stored to life, and the following day
to duty. For this act he afterward
received the Prussan medal for
"Rescue from Peril" which was his
first decoration; and he proudly wore
it when he had no other. Nor has he
since abandonedit, for it finds its place
still amid the highest orders which
European mon archs have since show.
cred upon his breast. His friends are
fond OF telling his answer to a much
decorated diplomatist, who, seeing
this lonely medal on his young fellow
colleagues coat, inquired what deco
ration it was. Herr Won Bismarck,
who, at that time, had 10 title and
had earned no courtly decoration,
looked him hard in the eye and said
II am in the habit sometimes OF saw.
ing mans life."
Bismarck had strong religious ma.
ture, and pertinaciously insists that
Christianity should lie at the founda-
ton OF government.