The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-30
PRINCESS BISMARCK.
How the Young Barron Wooed the Stately
Johanna.

How the Young Barron Wooed the Stately
Johanna.
In 1884 he had attended the wedding of
one of his friends, and among the brides
maids was Fraulein Johanna Won Puttkamer.
The stately maiden produced a deep inn
preston upon the heart Of the young
baron and this impression was con-
firmed and deepened when, in 1916, he
again met her during summer excursion
in the Harz district. On his return to
Schonhausen, Bismarck lost no time in
writing to lay his proposals before the
father of the lady who had irrevocably won
his heart.
Herr Won Puttkamer was nobleman of
the worthiest type, living on his estate OF
Reinfeld, in Pomerania, like veritable
patriarch, personally influencing his de-
pendents to the practice of every homely
virtue. No profane word was ever
suffered to shock the echoes in
field or farmyard; and that pro-
life and graphic writer, Hesekiel,
venerable baron going out to meet his
reapers. who, having safely gathered in the
crops, ware bringing home the harvest gar
land. Calling halt, and reverentiy rails
ing his velvet skull cap. the old man lifts
his voice, and in cheerful, hearty tones
old chorale, so familiar to onr English ears
in its translation, SHOW thank We all oar
God"
And it was this ideal household, ideal in
its simple piety and good order. that the
crazy" Bismarck proposed to invade. Herr
Won Puttkamer was as if thunder-stricken,
while his wife could only wiring her hands
and weep. But the climax of dismay was
reached when the maiden owned her love
for this undesired sutton. After much de-
liberation, the worthy couple chose the wis
est course. They wrote, inviting the young
Lord of Schonhausen to Reinfeld. His
personal presence was potent to Danish
Dreiudices, and a favorable decision was
soon made. IAN right telegraphed Bis
marck in English to his only sister ant
faithful ally.
The marriage took place in July, 1s47
and from that time forward Bismarci
found in his home an unfailing refuge from
the ceaseless, ever-increasing cares of pub
lie life. The clue to the benign and bene
fetal influence exercised by Nine. Won Bis
marck over the greatest European states
man of the present century, and the entir'
confidence which he SO loyalty reposes IL
her NAV be found in her own words: "Tha
my husband is a public character is fac
! to which often ind it painful enough T.
resign myself. But az for me. his wife
| WuHt udN0 i " w WIN puo4ACAAyS "a
. not exist for publicity. but wholly an
solely for him." No paltry ambition 7
{ play the part of the celebrated woman i
! competition with her husbands world-wid
. fame has ever troubled the soul of this tru
D wife and he.pEasss;; and yet those VIII
9 lave enjoyed the privilege of her persona
acquaintance bear enthusiastic testimon
e to her qualifications for leader of society
z Her perfect tact. combined with entir
!. freedom from artifciality Of manner. he
genial hospitality. her ability to take
J. worthy part in the most brilliant politics
9 or literary conversation when her receptio
II rooms are crowded with the most distir
n guished diplomatists and men of letters Al
le powerful to win not admiration only, bv
the true homage of the heart from thor
le who are brought within the immedia,
g. sphere of her influence. One. of the
q, privileged persons has declared her to /
se the very type of lady of the old ohivnlr
"a days; mild of countenance. yet lofty in b
10 bearing; while her consort presents co
responding picture Of the German knight
the olden time, simple in his dignity, tr,
hearted in his courtesy.-Good Words.