Bismarck's Fateful Pipe

Prince Bisrnarck is a great pipe collector, and the gein of hiscollection has a curious history. Many years ago, as Bismarck v?as strolling in the suburbs of Friederichsruh with his two hounds, he was accosted by a Bohemian peddler and asked to buy a plain nieerschaum pipe of the type that Bismarck most affected. At first Bismarck declined, but the peddler claimed f or the pipe a power of forecast and told him he would serve three emperors as minister, and that three important changes iu his life would be foretold by accidents befalling the pipe. Laughing, Bismarck bought the pipe. He has since served three emperors. Two days before the historie moment when he was refused an audieuce the stem of his pipe separated and went to pieces. Later he chipped a piece from the side of the bowl, and with'in a month he was practically dismissed by the present emperor. The third sigrn has yet to come. -