The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-05
STORIES ABOUT BISMARCK.
His Wit and Love of Children In His
Younger Days.

to notice the kindly eyes, flashing forth
under shaggy browS. He was born
ruler of men; any child could see tnat.
But the children ruled him. He loved
children. and he was great favorlte
among them. He entered into their
games and romps with as much anima-
ton and interest as any of them, and
if he Numbered, as sometimes he did,
received his correction in the most IL
diculously submissive spirit, and yet in
all sincerity. In the morning he was
often seen lying on the lawn with a
group of noisy children crawling all
over him. And in his excursions about
the estate he used to have his pockets
filled with tobacco, which he distrib-
uted indiscriminately among the peas
ants whom he met, evidently hugely
delighted at their establishment 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 wonder
ed why that royal favor had been con-
ferred upon the baron Now, it is to be
noted that the baron had just rendered
his first service to the country as a
member of the Swedish riksdag, but
when. as before his election, he had
been pronounced anti-royal in his sem
timents. he had been the very reverse
in the riksdag, supporting every royal
measure to the utmost of his ability
Therefore, when the conundrum as to
the royal stablemaster was mooted,
Prince Bismarck solved it by remark
ing that this was probably due to the
perspieacity of the king in seeing the
nimbleness with which the baron un-
derstood 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 residence to
take his customary s O'Clock morning
ride. and the whole carriage ereaked as
the ponderous figure sank down upon
the cushions. The second occasion was
in the afternoon, when he was taking
a walk in Inter den Linden. But what
transformation: his walk was 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.
There are a couple of characteristic
events in Prince Bismarck's life well
known in Germany, but not so familiar
to English-speaking people. A bond of
understanding between the prince and
the late Lord Beaconsfield is said to
have sprung up in a very characters
tic manner during the Berlin confer
ence. Bismarck was the first to arrive
in the room, and, as he was walking
about in full uniform and helmeted
Lord Beaconsfield arrived and greeted
the German chancellor, hat in hand.
In acknowledging the salutation Prince
Bismarck did not remove his helmet;
so after little while Lord Beacons-
field put on his hat Meanwhile not a
word had been exchanged between the
two statesmen. Then Bismarck went
up to window and began to drum on
the pane with his knuckles. Pretty
soon Lord Beaconsfield came up and
began to thump the pane next to Bis
marckS- 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 a 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 sup
port of the king. In those days there
were no railroads or telegraphS and
the road from VarZin to Berlin had to
be Travelled in carriage. The trip be-
came tedious. so to relieve the monot-
ony he stuck his head out of the car
rage window and asked passers-by
what the news was from Berlin. AL
most invariably the answer came that
everybody was talking about the kings
intention to appoint the young fire
brand Bismarck as ambassador to
Frankfort. When Bismarck arrived at
the capital, instead of going to the
cheap quarters he had intended. he
went to a large hotel, taking expen-
sive apartments so as to be in suitable
surroundings when the expected COM
mand 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 far from an amiable mood
But just as he was getting ready to
leave Field Marshal WrangeI was an
nounced. On entering he informed Bis
marck 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 response as possible. AS Wran-
gel was about to withdraw Bismarck
said:
I'm thanking his majesty for this ia
confidence"
The answer made old Wrangel start.
soldier as he was. He only said, Us
this your answer to his majeSty?''
Bismarck said Yes
a little later a royal equipage ar
rived to carry Bismarck to the palace
The king was walking about in great
excitement.
''Wrangel tells me-" the king burst
forth, that when he gave you my COM
you at once declared your read
mess to accept the post"
yes, your majesty
Are you aware the king continued,
that the post at Frankfort is the most
as we'll as the most difficult
to flip"
Yes, your majesty
And yet" said the king, you were
ready at once to accept the position %
Yes, your majesty
Explain yourself roared the king.
Bismarck then related his experiences
on his trip to Berlin, and said that
from the moment he had been told of
the kings intention he had bent all his
thoughts and energies to understanding
the requirements of the place and when
announced the kings gracious
offer he had become satisfied that he
could fill the Office, hence his prompt
acceptance.
when can you start?" asked the
king.
"At once" was the answer. The
interview was over.
A few weeks later Frau Bismarck
received a long letter from her husband
asking her to pack up and inviting her
to join him for an indefinite stay at
There is story told among the peas
antry of Schleswig, the former Danish