The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-08-24
MISCELLANY.
Stories About Bismarck.

Inc WrlLer saw IrlnC6 blbmarCK on
three occasion. The first time was
shortly after the Danish war, when he
was visiting q Baron Tornerhjelm of
Vrams Gunnars-Torp, in Sweden. He
was strikingly massive figure, and
one could not fail to notice the kindly
eyes, flashing forth under shaggy brows.
He was born ruler of men; any child
could see that. But the children ruled
him. He loved children, and was
great favorite among them. He en-
tered into their games and romps with
as much animation and interest as any
of them, and if he Numbered, as some
times he did, he received his correc-
ton in the most ridiculously submits
i've spirit and yet in all sincerity. In
the morning he was often seen lying on
the lawn with group of noisy children
crawling all over him. And in his ex-
cursions about the estate he used to
have his pockets filed with tobacco,
which he distributed Unfortunately
among the peasants whom he met, evil
IDENTIFY hugely delighted at their aston
ishment and awkward thanks.
Many witty sayings of his were at
that time going from mouth to mouth
among the people. Shortly before the
Princes visit Baron Tornerhjelm had
been made first court stablemaster by
the King. At dinner some one won
dered why that royal favor had been
conferred upon the Baron. Now, it is
to be noted that the Baron had just
rendered his first service to the coun-
try as a member of the Swedish Riks-
dag, but when, as before his election,
he had been pronouncedly anti.royal in
his sentiments, he had been the very
reverse in the Riksdag, supporting
every royal measure to the utmost of
his ability. Therefore, when the con-
undrum as to the royal stablemaster-
ship was mooted, Prince Bismarck
solved it by remarking that this was
probably due to the perspicacity of the
King seeing the nimbleness with which
the Baron understood how to change
saddles.
At the two other meetings Prince
Bismarck was in Berlin. This was
only some ten years ago. The first
time he was coming out from his resi-
dence to take his customary eight
O'Clock morning ride, and the whole
carriage creaked as the ponderous
figure sank down upon the cushions.
The second occasion was in the after
noon when he was taking walk in
Unterden Linden. But what trans
formation; his walk was very heavy
and labored, his forehead deeply fur
rowed, and his eyes had become dark
and hard; still a faint smile now and
then fitted over his features as he ac-
knowledged the greetings of some
friend.
These are couple of characteristic
events in Prince Bismarck's life well
known in Germany, but not 80 familiar
to English-speaking people. A bond
of understanding between the Prince
and the late Lord Beaconfield is said to
have sprung up in very characteristic
manner during the Berlin conference.
Bismarck was the first to arrive in the
room, and as he was walking about in
full uniform and helmeted Lord Bea-
confield arrived and greeted the Ger
man Chancellor, hat in hand. In &C.
knowledging the salutation Prince Bis
marck did not remove his helmet; 30
after little while Lord Beaconfeld
put on his hat Meanwhile not word
had been exchanged between the two
statesmen. Then Bismarck went up
to the window and begun to drum on
the pane with his knuckles. Pretty
soon Lord Beaconfield came up and be-
gan to thump the pane next to Bis
marck's. A glance was exchanged and
they understood each other.
The other story relates to Prince Bis
marck's appointment as ambassador to
Frankfort. One morning Junker Bis
marck told his wife that he was going
on business visit to Berlin and would
be back in few days. This was just
after the close of the Reichstag, where
he had made himself we'll hated by the
Liberals for his unqualified support of
the king. In those days there were no
railroads or telegraphs, and the road
from Varzin to Berlin had to be trav-
eled in carriage. The trip became te-
dious, 30 to relieve the monotony he
stuck his head out of the carriage win.
dow and asked passersby what the
news from Berlin. Almost invariably
the answer came that everybody was
talking about the kings intention to
point that young firebrand Bismarck
as ambassador to Frankfort. When
Bismarck arrived at the capital, in
stead of going to the cheap quarters he
had intended, he went to large hotel,
taking expensive apartments 80 as to
be in suitable surroundings when the
expected command from the king
should arrive. He also took pains to
have the principal papers announce his
presence. And then he waited-one
day, two days, three days, yet no news
came from the king. On the fourth day
his cash was scarce, he thought he had
been hoaxed, and he was in far from
an amiable mood. But just as he was
getting ready to leave Field Mar
shall Wrangel was announced. On en-
tering he Informed Bismarck that he
had been commanded by the king to
offer him the embassy to Frankfort,
and to tell him to think the matter
over and give the king as early re-
spouse as possible. AS Wrangel was
about to withdraw Bismarck said:
sin thanking his Majesty for this
favor, say that l accept this mark of
confidence"
The answer made old Wrangei start,
soldier as he was. He only said, "Is
this your answer to his Majesty?"