Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-25

no swords of his own be borrowed
weapons from the corps Of Brunswickers
and began practicing with his customary
energy. In the mean time, however, q
Hanoverian who lived in the same house
with young Bismarck had discovered
that he was formed OF true stuff and
would make a fine chum. so he therefore
induced his four companions 10 revoke
their challenges, and Freshman Otto be-
came member OF their fighting corps.
This, though Bismarck had acted in
ignorance OF the code. was grave breach
of etiquette, and the BrunswickerS
WE'RE IN GREAT RAGE.
The consenior of their corps felt called
upon 10 challenge the Pomeranisn fresh
man; the challenge was accepted with
alacrity the two combatants met at the
appointed time, and after some vigor-
Gus sword play the consenior was led
away with slash across his cheek.
This victory gave young Otto an i'm
mediate prestige among his FELLOWSHIP
dents. which he maintained by taking
part in twenty-sevcn other duels and
coming ont OF them without n wound,
the scar which may still be seen on his
cheek having been caused by the break
ing OF an adverssry's blade. 1t has
been said that the persistent opposition
of the diminutive leader OF the Clerical
party in the Reichstag should be attri-
butcd 10 his recollections of old fencing
bouts rather than to his dislike OF the
Chancellor's policy.
If at Berlin there had been less use
made OF the sword than ct Gottingen
there did not follow any improvement in
his habits of study. He even neglected
the lectures OF the famous Savgny. and
the other professors knew him not How
be passed his State examination so Gre
ditably it would be difficult to ex-
plain probably he read in private
during the last semester and
thus mastered the common technical
tiles of the law. AS an auscultator he
more than once succeeded In astonishing
the court to which he was attached. On
one occasion a Berlin citizen WAS Civ
ing testimony in peculiarly tedious and
trying manner, and was inclined, more
over. 10 be somewhat sarcastic in his
reference to the court. As he was not
yet schooled in patience, young Bis
marck lost his temper and said: off
yOu do not give your testimony more
clearly and directly, will kick you ont
of court.
"herr Auscnltator, mildly interposed
the Judge,
1.-THE KICKING OUT is MY BUSINESS"
The testimony was continued, but the
witness proved TO be one of the incor-
rigible sort, and the hot-headed auscul-
tatOr felt called upon to admonish him
second time.
"Witness," he cried, off you don't
give your testimony in different man
ner l will get the court to kick you out
of court.
This kicking aside of an obstacle is
thought 10y many persons to be still
characteristic OF the great German states
man.
Like almost all ancient families the
Bismsrcks are the fortunate possessors
of & ghost-an intangible presence that
glides about the halls Of Schonhausen in
the lonely night hours, disturbing the
slumbers of the Chancellor and his
guests. He is as deficient in originality,
however, as II is possible for a shade
10 be, and merely tramps audibly !
about the old house or throws himself
heavily down upon the floor, as though |
weary of the part he was forced to per
form IN this scepticsl age. He is said to |
be ghost with a leaning toward litera-
ture, and passes the greater part of the |
night in the library, where he probably |
deyotes himself TO works in the dead |
languages. During the absence of |
Prince Bismarck and his family when |
Schonhausen is sometimes left in charge |
of q single servant. this aristocratic shade |
becomes less decorous in manner |
and performs pranks that would do credit
to the maddest of Junkers. A German
in a livery has usually served for |
many years in the army, and is not likely
to be a man whose nerves are easily |
shaken, and the Chancellors old retain
ers accept tine ghost with stolid resigna-
ton. When he awakens one of them IN |
the dead waste and middle of the night |
by breathing a chill breath upon the |
sleeper, the veteran merely grumbles |
something about the warmer atmosphere |
OF the neither world and turns over and |
goes TO sleep again.
Either out OF respect for his high abili-
ties or because he knows the Chancellor |
does not require ghost to keep him
awake, having been for many years a
sufferer from insomnia, the master OF
Schonhausen is usually left in peace ;
but on one occasion the family shade paid !
him q midnight visit, and as he sat up IN |
bed, conscious of a mysterious presence, |
though he could discern nothing, he
heard a guest who occupied an adioiH-
ing chamber ask, in an uneasy way :
"Who is il? What is wanted ?" Then |
followed the sound of retreating foot
steps and the opening and closing of the !
library door but on search being made |
no one could be found within the room.
Precisely whose ghost this is none of the |
historians of the family seem to know.
Perhaps it is that OF the old Wendish |
King whose oak leaves decorate the Bis
n, o. ol arms