Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 May 1881 — A Story of Bismark’s Youth. [ARTICLE]

A Story of Bismark’s Youth.

London Telegraph. Apropos of Prince Bismark’s birthday anniversary, celebrated last Friday, a pleasant reminiscence of his youthful days may not be out of place. Forty-six years ago a young Swedish nobleman was studying at the Berlin university. One day he received a letter from an uncle in Sweden, whom he happened never to have met in person, informing him that his first cousin, a daughter of the relative in question, was about to pass through Berlin on her way to the waters at Ems, and requested that he would take charge of her during her brief sojourn in the Prussian capital, show her all its most interesting sights, and finally see her safely started upon her further journey. The young lady arrived at Berlin in. due course, and wa waited upon at her hotel by a stalwart young student who announced himself as her cousin, escorted her, during the three following days, to museums, jicture galleries, and so forth, with ndefatigable courtesy. On the fourth day he attended her to the Post-Amt, whence she was to depart by diligence for Ems, and, as she was warmly thanking him for all the attentions he had shown her, requested her permission, before taking his leave, to make confession of his sins.

“I must no longer, my dear cousin,” he continued, “conceal from you that, as a matter of fact, I am not your cousin at all. A friend of mine, however, has that honor. He is undergoing his examinations at college, and confided to me the duty of carryingout your papa’s wishes. My name is Von Bismarck.” This very lady visited Berlin last year, and took oc- ' casion to remind the chancellor of the above incident, reiterating the expression of her for the chivalrous position of nearly half a century ago. Interrupting her, with a genial smile, Prince Bismarck observed: “Pardon me, madam, ft is - 1 who am under obligation to you in that manner, Thanks to you, I was at that time enabled to visit the museum. I have never since had time to do so again!”