Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-08-05
BlSMARCK'S HOME LIFE.
As "A Husband lie Was "A ModeI-His Sin.
gular Courtship.

As "A Husband lie Was "A ModeI-His Sin.
gular Courtship.
The domestic life Of Bismarck was a
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 a
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 chan 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 bographers, he
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 dignifed
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 n long jour
ney for pleasure through some Of the most
picturesque portions Of Germany. NJ. Frau.
Iein 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 q
Characteristic letter to his sister, of which
this is an extract:
| must really marry, for since fathers dc.
parture feel lonely and solitary, and a mild
a ...f i =.
longing and in love. No resistance is of avail
| must marry the people will have it so-and
nothing sce'2s more natural. My lady love does
not produce great impression on me, but that
40 lady da~'s. 1t is, at any rate, satisfactory
where one cannot change his inclinations with
his shirt, AS seldom even as the latter may oc-
cur.
Having dispatched this mission, he sent
an even more characteristic one to Herr
Won Puttkamcr demanding his daughters
hand in marriage. Won Puttkamer and
his good wife were strongly opposed to
the match. They had heard dreadful
things about Mad Bismarck" and did
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 at
last it was decided TO invite him to pay
the family visit. The Puttkamers were
staid, simple folk, and determined that
since they must have this strange fellow
for a sOn-in-law they would receive him
well. So they invited a company to be
present when he arrived. He was tired
and travel stained as he alighted from his
carriage and was escorted to the house,
-, 4 II
But he had eyes only for his sweetheart,
and disdaining to regard her parents or
their guests he rushed up to her as she
stood at one side with downcast eyes, and
throwing his arms about her neck nearly
smothered her with kisses This of course
broke up all formality and probably had
much to do with the final overcoming of
all traces of opposition
The marriage took place in ls47, and the
young couple made a short wedding tour
through Switzerland and Italy. At Venice
Bismarck accidentally met King Frederick
William ~ Of Prussia He was com.
manded to attend the royal dinner table,
and n long conversation ensued between
him and the King on German politics. The
foundation of his political fortune was
made in this conversation.
Bismarck was taken unawares by the
royal invitation. He was totally unpre-
pared for such n contingency and had nc
court dress with him He was obliged to
borrow one, bat the suit was not made foI
man Of his proportions and fitted him SC
badly that he cut a poor figure. He had
been for some months previously mem
| Der Of the Frankfort diet. This meeting
with the king eventually led to his ap
| pointmeut as Prussian ambassador to that
| body,
! Few who Knew the wild life Bismarck
had led expected he would make a success
! of this mission. But he had seen great
! deal of the world and had hidden adieu
to the follies of his youth. lie described
the change himself by simply saying, 81
! have learned something"
Three children We're born to the Bis
marcks-Mare born ut Schoenhausen Aug
81, lSiS; Herbert, born at Berlin Dec, 2S
lS49, and William, born at Frankfort Aug
| |. 1852,