St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-08-10
OTTO Won BISMARCK.
CONTINUED from Sd page J

ana QultblJ lnbinihoSu w DlSIlldTCK UDHG
much Of his advice and meddling was too
ofIicious to suit his imperial pleasure. The
chancellor was astonished and for the first
time in his career found himself pleader
for favor William was obdurate and per-
sisted in having his own way, and Bis
marck submitted to the inevitable with as
much grace as he could summon
AT this juncture grave doubts were
thrown upon Bismarck's real part in Or
ganizing the new empire, Extracts from
Frederick's diary, which Bismarck had
tried in vain to secure, were published and
caused IL profound sensation in Europe.
They fatty declared that Bismarck was OBJ
posed to the founding of the empire; that at
the close of the Franco Prussian war Will
liam, who was then 70 years old, insisted
that the title Of king of Prussia was in
fnitely superior to emperor, and that the
crown prince really carried the imperial
project through laboriously persuading his
father and almost bullying the chancellor
into reluctant support of it. OF course
Bismarck could not stand idly by and sec.
the laurels he had worn so long ruthlessly
torn from his brow He entered vigorous
denial and impeached the authenticity OF
the diary. He wanted William to order the
prosecution of the publishers for treason
and tampering with state secrets
But the young kaiser was not in a com,
plant mood. 1t seemed to have dawned
upon him that he owed something to the
memory of his father, and that he should
modify his treatment of his royal mother
He was, moreover, in the thick Of his labor
reform movement, which Bismarck had OPP
posed tooth and nail Consequently, when
the old chancellor got angry at noncompli-
ance with his wishes and made one of his
bluffs at resigning, William promptly took
him at his word, and on March IS, 1890,
Europe was shocked by the news that the
great Bismarck, the diplomatic giant of
the century, had severed his official rela-
tions with the empire he founded.
Every possible rumor followed him into
retirement 1t was said that he never ex-
pected the emperor to allow him to resign;
that he was in state of panic the day after
he made his fatal bluff and humbly begged
the Empress Frederick to intercede with
her son to retain him in office One can
hardly imagine the bold, implacable Bis
marck, the terror Of Europe, Oh his knees
before woman whom he sought so often
to humiliate, but the story has elements OF
truth and has never been contradicted.
Bismarck $ downfall was thus almost as
complete and pathetic as that of Wolsey.
But his temper, unlike that of the ambitious
cardinal, was not broken by the storms of
state. His retirement was marked by Sc
we're criticism of the young emperor's pol
icy and imprudent outbreaks of WRATH
against old time rivals.
As Husband He Was a Model-His Sim
gular Courtship.
The domestic life of Bismarck was q
strong contrast to his stormy political ca
reer He was devotedly attached to his
wife and children. The princess, perfect
picture of the German hausfrau exerted n
wonderful influence over the great chancel-
lor "She it is who made me what | am"
was the testimony he bore to her noble quail
tiles on more than one occasion.
During his periods of illness, which were
frequent of late years, the princess nursed
him with untiring care. "As for the
prince" writes one of his biographers. The
has during his life given constant proofs
not only of true and honest love for the wife
he has chosen and the children she has
borne him, but also of delicate and chival-
rous tenderness toward them. Years have
made no change in this. Every one who
has been admitted into the intimacy of the
Bismarck family is able to judge of the af-
fectionate and at the same time dignified
character Of the relations between the
prince and the princess"
His courtship was singular one. He
was very intimate with the Blanckenburg
family, who were, in way, relatives, and
one summer made with them long jour
ney for pleasure through some of the most
picturesque portions of Germany. NJ. Frau
lein Puttkamer was of the party, and the
young couple fell in love, though Bismarck
seems not to have found it out until after
the journey was finished. Then he wrote a
characteristic letter to his sister, of which
this is an extract:
must really marry, for since fathers de-
parture feel lonely and solitary, and n mild
damp state of weather makes me melancholy,
longing and in love. No resistance is of avail
must marry-the people will have 1t so-and
nothing seems more natural. My ladylove does
not produce a great impression on me, but that
no lady does. 1t is, at any rate, satisfactory
where one cannot change his inclinations with
his shirt as seldom even as the latter may &C.
cur.
Having dispatched this mission, he sent
an even more characteristic one to Herr
Won Puttkamer demanding his daughters
hand in marriage. Won Puttkamer and
his good wife were strongly opposed te
the match. They had heard dreadful
things about mad Bismarck" and die
their utmost to dissuade their daughter
from marrying him. After much difficulty
he finally broke down the fathers opposi
ton, but the mother, high spirited WON
an, was obdurate.
The daughter, however, evinced a pref
erence for her wild young sutton, and a
last it was decided to invite him to pa!
the family visit. The Puttkamers were
staid, simple folk, and determined tina
since they must have this strange fellow
for son-in-law they would receive hin
well. So they invited company to b.
present when he arrived. He was tlret
and travel stained as he alighted from hi
carriage and was escorted to the house
where formal reception was prepared
But he had eyes only for his sweetheart
and disdaining to regard her parents o
their guests he rushed up to her as sh
ttood at one side with downcast eyes, ant
throwing his arms about her neck nearl
Bmothered her with kisses This OF cours
broke up all formality and probably hat
much to do with the final overcoming O
all traces Of opposition.
The marriage took place in lS47, and Tn
young couple made short Wedding lou
through Switzerland and Italy. At Venlc