The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1898-08-04

It appears that the former chancel-
lor's death was not precipitated by sud-
den complications, but was rather the
elimination of chronic dsease-neural-
5ia of the face and Inflammation of the
veins-which kept him in constant pain.
that was borne with the iron fortitude
which might have been expected.
The beginning of the end dates from
July 20, when the prince was confined
to his bed. He had been several days
prostrated before an inkling of his de-
cline reached the world, when the Ber-
lin correspondent of the London Times
announced that his condition was most
critical.
Otto Edward Leopold Won Bismarck
was born at Schonhausen on April 10,
1915. He was the fourth in family of
six children, three of whom died early.
His father was a merry. handsome
country gentleman, full of wit, fond of
fhe chase, genial in manner. His moth
er was a. refined and cultivated woman.
proud, beautiful and ambitious: a
queen in society, a great chess player.
She was the brain OF the household; the
father was its heart. She strove to
arouse ambition in her son and predic-
sed his success In diplomacy. The faith
er took most pride in his sons horse
manship.
Otto Won Bismarck passed his school
years in Berlin. and in 1882 entered the
University of Gottingen, where he led
a wild, reckless life. During the first
three terms of his university life he
fought twenty -one duels and received
only one wound. Retiring to the Uni
versity of Berlin, he attended only two
lectures, but succeeded In passing his
examination with credit. Among hise
acquaintances in the university was ].
Lothrop Motley, the historian.
After leaving the university Bismarck
practised law and found employment
in government offices; but the restless
ness which his university life had in
duced was a habit which ne could not
easily outgrow. He travelled in Bel
GUM and tFrance during the summer
and autumn. and in the winter society
and the court festivities enticed him
away from the cares of official life.
One night he accompanied a young
lawyer to a court ball and was intro
duced to Prince William. Looking at
this stately forms of the two young law
yors, the prince said with a smile:
well, justice seeks her young advo-
eates according to the standards of the
Guards" This was he first meeting
between the Emperor William of the
future and his chancellor.
In 1887 the young barrister removed
TO Potsdam, where he served his year
in the grIay. IN 1899 he entered upon
the management Of the family estates
at Knfephof, which his father had re-
tn 10 hpnthaN ~
der his administration his farms were
made remunerative. He was a country
squire of the old scnool-a bold rider,
an enthusiastic sportsman. a terrible
drinker. Suddenly, when all the world
was predicting the moral and pecuniary
ruin of Mad Bismarck" he gave up
his wild courses and began to read his
tory and to study theology and philoso-
phy, especially the works of Spinoza.
After his fathers death, in 1S45, he
established himself at Schonhausen.
and married Fraulein Johanna Won Put
hammer. His home life was a joyful
experience. Even on the businest days.
during the most wearisome JOURNEYS.
amid the most engrosslng cares of
state, he found time to write to his
wife a few words Of tenderness and
affection. Mad Bismarck" became a
model husband. 81 can't think how 7
endured 1t formerly" he wrote to his
wife ''If I had to live now, as then.
without God. without you, without chill
itren, I don't know why I should not
throw off this life Nike dirty shirt;
and yet most OF my acquaintances are
20 and live their life"
xhe country squire was Summoned
In his thirssy-third year from the peace
,fui ssciusion Of Schonhausen to serve
HIS sovereign and Germany. He enter
ed the chamber OF deputies with Q
.