The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-10-07
BISMARCK STORIES.
THE READY WIT OF THE MAN OF
BLOOD AND IRON

/ DihA-Astbbbhb IN IOllbsutbs NO OOunV
Thun of Austria "A Startling Answer to
an Indiscreet Question.
The late Prince Bismarck although
known as a man Of blood and iron, was
remarkable for his ready wit and his never
falling alertness In any emergency. A few
years before his death he was surprised by
a delegation Of peasants from his family
estate, Schoenhausen. They had come TO
! ask him to choose their village cemetery
for his final resting place.
1t can't be, " replied Bismarck calmly.
The conditions of your cemetery do not
agree with my rheumatism, and have no
desire to bring my gout with me into the
grave"
Naturally brave and often reckless in
the face Of danger, Bismarck Stunned
nothing when u life was to be saved. As
young lieutenant he risked his own life
TO save that of his drowning servant. He
received the medal "for saving of human
life," and he continued TO wear It on all
cercmonious occasions until he withdrew
from public life. Once some high person
age, proud of his titles and decorations,
noticed the Insignificant little medal on
the breast Of Bismarck and asked sneer-
ingly, "What does that thing meanY"
mot much" said Bismarck, "only
that am in the habit of saving a life now
and then"
He was a man of the world whenever
he wanted TO be so and an excellent talk
er These qualities surprised no one more
than the empress of France, who, like most
of her countrywomen, was inclined TO
conceive Bismarck as q rude, cold blooded,
clumsy brute of the old uncivilized Teu-
tons, who led primitive lifo in the vir-
ginal forests Of Germany, dividing their
hostile attentions between boars bears
and Romans. 1t was she who said of him,
"Mais II est plus causeur qu'un Fran
caisp'
While Austria remained the head of the
Federation of German States and Bis
marck attended the federal council at
Frankfort as the representative of Prussia
he had many dealings and as many semi
hostile encounters with the Austrian pres
ident of the council, Count Thun, whom
he viewed with unlimited disgust. Once
he called on Thun, who received him in
his shirt sleeves. Bismarck proceeded to
pull off his own coat without moments
hesitation, saying, Indeed, count, it is
very hot in your room"
The count jumped from his chair and
hastened to put on his coat, at the same
time pouring out apologies. On the occa-
his writing desk smoking and with an
open box Of cigars in front of him. He
asked Bismarck to wait for few mo-
ments, but offered him nothing to smoke
Bismarck, who was an enthusiastic devo-
tee of the weed suffered in silence for a
few moments and then walked up to the
desk and deliberately picked out cigar
under the nose of the startled count, and
once more that gentleman had to apollo
gize
Bismarck's fondness for tobacco lasted
till his death in spite Of all protests from
his physician. All the faithful DIR. Schwen-
niger could do was to have the strong ci-
gars of earlier years supplanted by long
stemmed, we'll cleaned pipes. On the day
before his death Bismarck smoked five Of
these
"He lies like an official news bureau"
exclaimed Bismarck once In the Prussian
diet
Bismarck was always disllked by the
diplomatists of the old school, whose tricks
and conceits he despised He oonfounded
their clever plans time and again by an
almost overbearing use of the truth. In
the spring Of 1866, when the war against
Austria was nothing but a possibility,
Bismarck, who was then president of the
Prussian cabinet, attended dinner given
by the minister of Saxony. The Countess
Hohenthal, who sat by his side, was in
considerate enough to ask, 'Is it true that
your excellency intends to go to war with
Austrian"
Certainly, my dear countess, " replied
Bismarck in his blandest manner 81
have thought of nothing else since 1 en-
tered the cabinet. Our guns are ready,
and you will soon find that they are SUI
perior TO the Austrian artillery"
But, then, you must give me some
friendly advice" said the countess. ~
have two castles, one In Bohemia and one
near Leipsic. Which one will be the safest
to go top
''If you take my advice, " answered Bis.
marck "you will not go to Bohemia.
Your castle is located in the very vicinity
where We intend to beat the Austrians.
Go to Saxony, and you will be perfectly
SAFE"
The countess made her indiscretion com
plete by telling every one Of this remark
able conversation. The world was startled,
and demands for an explanation came
from all quarters.
"Poohl' smiled Bismarck, with shrul
of his shoulders. ado you pay attention
to an ironical answer prompted by an in
discreet question:"
VOLTS Telegraph bureau was honoret
with Bismarck S attention on account o
some alleged Irregularities The chancello
summoned one of the government officers
who promptly asserted that he did no
\ know thing about the whole matter
you had better mako a thorough in
vestigation and give me detailed report,
said Bismarck "But there is no specia
hurry. If have the report by tomorrow
at noon, that will be time enough"
Good living was one of Bismarck IS veal
points, and the first Countess Bismarcl
said sometimes that the chef de cuisine
was the only one who could govern he
Iron Chancellor Certain IL Is that thi
magnate, Herr Mueller, could take liber
ties which would have proved dangerou
to other persons. He had sent word twic'
on one occasion that dinner was ready.
mot hungry yet, Walt another hal
hour" was the reply that came from the
chancellor
The third message received from thu
kitchen magnate admitted of no appeal:
''His exoellency will have to eat now
whether he is hungry or not, for l, th'
premier Of the kitchen, cannot keep th'
dishes any longer"
4 The premier of Prussia submitted with
out demurring and went to dinner at once
Exchange.
Parson and Bunker.