The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-11-22
eLEAN1Nas IN GERMANY.
Sketches on the "Iron Chancellor" by a
Shenandoah Gentleman.


Shenandoah Gentleman.
Through the courtesy of Mr.. Henry
Weiderhold, resident of this town who is
now visiting in Germany, the HERALD is en-
abled to furnish its readers with a series of
articles on Bismark.
EDITOR HERALD Having spent few
days with Professor Zeitz NOW in Shenan-
doah) at Westernland, celebrated seaside
resort on the Isle of Sylt, in the North Sea,
and having assisted the professor to dispose
of his property there we returned to Ham
burg A few days were sufficient to enable
us to visit all places of interest at this great
German seaport and we decided, both being
staunch admirers of the old Iron
Chancellor" to visit Bsmark's home.
Bismark s home is situated only a short
distance from Hamburg, three-quarters of an
hour by rail through pretty agricultural
country, and was given to the Prince by old
Emperor William on June "a, 1871, after the
French war. A few minutes walk from the
railway station brought us to the gate of the
possession and a friendly old gardener met us
there and inquired our business. Telling
him we came from the land where no princes
or kings reign, but that we were neverthe-
less deeply impressed with the greatness of
his (the gardener's) lord and master and de-
sired to see the place which afforded the great
statesman the rest he so well deserved, we
were allowed to enter In course of conver-
sation we learned that the old gardener, like
pretty nearly every German family, had son
in the land of the stars and stripes, and this
fact aided us considerably in our purpose.
A few steps from the gate, surrounded by
mighty trees, is the house of the Prince. |
was surprised by the plain appearance of the
residence, which is such as you may find on
any of our larger and better kept farms; still
it is very appropriate and gratifes the de-
sires of the Prince. Through the interces.
sion of our guide we gained admittance to
the building. On the first floor, to the left as
you enter, is Bismark's sanctuary, his study,
a plain, cOmmodious room with no signs of
luxury or extravaganza. An old-fashiOned
writing desk in the square bay window,
large writing table, an immense sofa, and
On the walls splendid picture of Emperor
William, an oil painting of Prince Bismark,
one of his eldest sons, and pictures of Crispi
and Bcaconsfeld are all the ornaments worth
mentioning. Our attention was called to a
small card table upon which is a small gold
plate that tells its history. Having read the
memorials asked for permission to copy on
this very table the sentence which, upon
translation, reads as follows: "On this table
was the preliminary negotiation of peace
signed between Germany and France, ON the
26th Of February, 1871, at Versyilles, Rue des
Province, No. IA" Curiosity fend that l
am, also carried away with me an envelope
bearing the princely coat of arms and few
Bsmark matches, remarkable for their
size. Adjoining the study is the Princes
furnished room. A large bed the first
similar to those used in America l found in
Germany is raised by two wooden blocks to
make it higher at the foot than at the head, a
washstand, wardrobe, a settee on
which he can rest his pOrtly figure, a
medicine chest ana lew chairs
furnish the room. Next to his bedroom his
valet sleeps, and in the adjoining is his bath
tub, which is made of large tree cut on the
possession On the other side of the hall are
the doctors rooms. The occupant watches
carefully over the health of the great states
man. In connection with this l may tell the
story of how the Prince came to engage the
physician. Some years ago. when Bismark
was ailing with rheumatism, and was getting
so fat as to be uncomfortable, and after fail
! ing to secure relief from the many eminent
physicians he had consulted he met DIR.
| Schweuinger, who was becoming famous for
| his anti-fat and rheumatic cures. The doctor
was called in for consultation and the
numerous questions he propounded caused
/ the Prince to give expression to his impatience
[ in forcible language. The doctor stopped short
and, assuming the same burly manner as that
affected by the Prince, he asked why he had
been called in. The doctor followed this W
with the advice that if the Prince objected tC
being questioned he had better change doc
tors and call IN a veterinary surgeon, as they
do not ask their patients questions. This
unexpected answer brought Bismark to his
! senses The doctor proceeded and in due
time the patient was restored to health.
H.W.