The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-08-11
BISMARCK IN THE REICHSTAG.


The word Bismarck is an abbreviation
Of Bishops Mark and refers to tho bish-
ops of Havelberg, who owned the Mark
that is. the march or line to be defended
The word is mentioned as early as 1908,
or nearly 800 years before Columbus.
By tho river Biese stood d tower called
the Bismarck Louise. in which by tradi-
ton lived a big louise who devoured the
substance Of the surrounding farmers.
1t is now said that this myth Is refiec-
ton upon previous legend which named
the tower after the Holy Cross. tho
Wendish barbarians perhaps considering
that this Christian emblem cost them
their lands and their crops.
Bismarck's grandfather was All intel
Iectual man. and his father resembled
the chancellor In 1906 his father mar
ried Louise Menken, who was 16, and
she lived till 1889. She was the orphan
daughter Of u privy counselor, and her
family had literary traits. Her father
sympathized with the French revolu-
ton and died in 1901. Bismarck had
three brothers and two sisters. He was
brought up in Polnerania. about Kniep-
mol. WulCH eStdto oiSiLtiS IN AOetsAAAS0
until 1868.
At6 years of age Bismarck was sent
to school i'll Berlin by the side Of his
soldier brother. who lived very long
life. His parents spent the winter
months in Berlin. Among the first
things Bismarck attended to was the
study of languages becoming especially
strong in English and French. His
mother was handsome and socially in
fuential. She was IL bad manager, how
ever and spent too much money at the
summer watering places. She much do
sired Otto to become IL diplomatist
In 1874 from the side of this father
Bismarck wrote to his sister: IL live here
with father. reading, smoking. walking,
helping him eat lalnpreys and joining IN
u farce called fox hunting. We go out
in the pouring rain or frost with three
servants. surround an old bush In
sportsnanlike way. silent as the grave,
and the servants make the most prodl-
gious noise, while father stands perfectly
stock still. his rifle out. just as if he fully
expected some beast. Father asks me
| in the coolest manner if have not seen
something, and | reply with the most
| natural astonishment. Nothing in the
| world Then growing at the rain we
| start for another bush find nothing and
| play the farce over again. This goes on
for three or four hours without father
being in the least tired.
The tall young country squire was con-
fir1ned in his church at Berlin in 1880.
he was a spoiled boy and early left his ia
| theirs roof He now and then went home
taking the stage at Berlin in the evening
and getting to Stettin at noon the ne1'
day, and by the third day he would reacf
Kniephof and have his holiday Of thret
weeks At school he loved the history o1
his native country. Brandenburg, Prus
sia and Germany. and his historical at
tainments were ever eminent He wa
not very good in Latin. but departed fo'
the University of Goettingen at II year
of age a thin, graceful boy. quite tall
He is said not to have been very ami
mated and had rather blank but observ
ant eyes, but was determined and en-
during. All persons had to approach
him with consideration. He loved dogs
had strong memory and was frs
class horseman, could swim, fence ant
dance, but did not like athletics.
At Goettingen one Of his college mate
was Motley, the American historian. VIII