The Wahpeton times., 1886-02-25

"Ihave."
'.Well?" ask the expectant law
yers," with unbelieving curiosity.
"Why, you have only to send the
dellnquents to the North German
commission for the better regulation
OF trade'-that will settle them!'
But hear Bismarck's voice again
close behind me. "Let us drink to the
welfare Of the old blue, red and gold
colors of the Hannovera OF Gottingen"
ne called out to his old fellow student,
the Burgomaster Fromme of Lune-
burg. And the two "old collegians,"
while emptying their glasses of spark
ling Rhine wine, chat over the pleasant
days of their youth.
Even as far back as that time,
whenever Bismarck was asked what
ne was studying, his answer invaria-
bly, was, Diplomacy" He was then
o very slight, overgrown young stu
dent, with fair sprouting moustache,
known everywhere be his magnifi-
cent Newfoundland dog, and much
feared on account of his skill with the
sword, having while still an under
graduate, come off victor in several
ttuels with members of opposition
corps; though the scar on his left
cheek bears testimony to the uncer-
tainty attending the fate of even the
most skillful of fencers. The antago-
mist who inflicted this Quart" now
enjoys the confidence OF great part
OF the North German population, so
much that he was elected representa-
tive for the diet.
When he was first presented to Bis
marck, the latter, pointing to the scar,
asked: care you the one?''
"Yes. your excellency."
"Well, you certainly did give it to
me rather hot"
'Yes, your excellency, that was what
you said at the time; but the due
book did not concur in it, and de-
cided you gave as good as you got"
But those diplomatic studies at
Gottingen have borne visible fruits.
1t is only q pity that the multi
farious duties OF his threefold office OF
minister, chancellor and brandy dis.
tiller-for he has been distiller for
over twenty years-prevent the prince
from coming forward as the advocate
OF practical diplomacy. Many a pro.
fessor's chair would be open to him.
The theme of the princes diplomatic
lecture this evening was ''the blue
books" q subject he had already ven
tilated the day before in the diet,
urged thereto by Lasker.
"Well, gentlemen, if you absolutely
wish to have a blue book I will en-
deavor next year to provide one that
will at least be harmless" he had
said, amid the laughter of the house.
Now he gave us all example of the
doubtful value OF these collective dis
patches. Say, for example, Lord Au-
gustus LOTUS comes to me and asks
me whether am disposed to hear a
private letter from his minister, Lord
Clarendon. He then reads me short
epistle in the noble lords own hand.
writing and we talk the matter over
quietly for about an hour. Five days
after he is again announced. This
time he comes armed with huge off.
cial dispatch from the English foreign
office. He commences to read. Ibeg
your pardon, your excellency!' in
terrupt him, but you told me all that
last Monday"
ayes, SO | did; but now the dispatch
has to 60 into the blue book"
''Then l suppose must now repeat
my answer all over again for the bene-
fit of your blue book?"
certainly, if your excellency sees
no reason against it-that is what is
required?"
.Well, I suppose must let you have
it, and so have to give up another
hour to him just for the sake of the
blue book, and have in addition con-
stantly to explain to the English am
bassador: "This sentence is not meant
Tor your blue book" as, for instance,
that 1 look upon the blue book as ali
essentially wordy and superauous
institution"
But it is past IL. Gradually the
numerous guests take their leave OF
the chancellor. He bids them all
"adieu, au revoir." Then passing
through the apartment where his wife
and daughters were seated surrounded
by large circle of friends, we salute
our noble hostess; and a quarter of an
hour later sees us back at the St. Pc
tersburger Hof. comfortably ensconced
in the saloon of our hotel, and dis
cussing the events of the evening under
the soothing influence of the peaceful
| pine.