A BISMARCK STORY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13793, 14 June 1915, Page 8

A BISMARCK STORY.

During the Franco-Prussian War in 1370 Mr Albert Vandam was acting as war correspondent for one of the London papers, and during the German occupation of -Versailles he, with other journalists, was lodged in a ■certain house, from which they wore forbidden to be absent .after 10 o'clor-k at night. One night he had run out of tobacco, and, although it was after 10, he decided to go out and try to get some. He was just turning the corner of tho street, when ho was literally knocked, over by a giant of a man hastily coming from the opposite direction. It was Bismarrk himself. Beforo Vandam _ could rise he was seized by tho collar of his coat in an iron grip, and Bismarck demanded: "Who are jou, and what are you doing here?" Vandam said he was a war con-eppondent. "Show me jour permit." said Bismarck. This was, of course, in order; "But," said Bismarck, "what business have- you in the streets after 10?" Vandam:'"l have run out of tobacco, and I can't work, or even live without tobacco." Bismarck: "You have offered the only excuse I should have accepted, but you ran a great ri»>k. A little further on you would have come across a sentry and he would have shot you, or if he hadn't (smiling grimly) I would have shot hi in. Bismarck then gave Mr Vandanv some of his own tobacco, and told him to go back and not do ft again.

After tho war was over Mr Vandam called, on Bismarck at Friedrichsruh, and was hospitably i*eceived by the great man.