THE BEAUTY OF THE BISMARCKS.

Evening Post, Volume XVI, 20 April 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE BEAUTY OF THE BISMARCKS.

+ - There is a pretty legend in connection with the Bismarck family which goes to show how the oak leaves adorning the Bismarck shield were added to the olorer and the nettle leaves. It runs as follows : — Many years ago there was a lovely maiden, Gertrude Yon Bismarck. Nnmbers of noble koights and courtiers sought her hand and heart, but she was by her own consent, and her father's wish, betrothed to a gousin, a nobje and princely youth. One day there came to the castle where the beautiful Gertrude lived a Prince of the Wenden, with one hundred horsemen, to try and win her. The Prince was greatly enraged, and, incited by her great loveliness, determined to gain her ; so he called his warriors and said he would break the . clover-leaf (Gertrude) with his own hand. On the Bame day he assailed the castle, which was but weakly defended. The castellan was soon overcome, and the Wende entered the castle, and then the maiden's chamber. " I come to break you in, you golden clover-leaf. You don't sting like stinging nettles. Clover does not sting," he said, and with that put his arm around her. A moment more and he withdrew it/crying out " Mercy !" Gertrude held a dagger over him, then struck it in his heart, saying, "The nettle stings hard whoever will break or touch Bismarck's golden clover." Since then tbe Bismarck shield wears the oak leaves as a sign and crown of victory. — London Truth. -I- -TV— ¦¦;-;. v! 4