Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-01-09
Francis JOseph's Home.

Deep in the beautiful valley of the
SalZkammergut, at the spot where the
wild mountain streams of the Traun and
the Ischl unite, embosomed in woods of
fragrant pine, upon which look down
from afar the snow clad peaks of the
Pavarian Alps, is the summer retreat OF
the most hard worked and Conscientious.
and yet, perhaps, the most unfortunate
of European crown heads.
Driving up broad gravel road Dor
dored on both sides by closely sha zen
sward, dotted with clumrs of majestic
evergreens, extending on your right to
lofty pine.clad hill with winding paths
and rustic summer houses, known as the
Kaiserburg, you approach the house, a
plain mansion of white stone, looking
cool and refreshing in the sunlight, with
its bright green jalOusies and its frame
work of pine-wooded hills. In front is
wide parterre, ablaze with beds of
dollhouse flowers in all colors of the rain
bow. Thanking the vestibule are two
grand hunting subjects in bronze, the
size of lite, purchased by the Empress
at the Vienna Exposition.
You enter the spacious hall, and are
told that the splendid antlered heads,
each with little ivory tablet bearing
date, which line hall and staircase from
floor to roof, are all trophies of the EN-
| peror's proves in the chase. A capital
shot and passionate sportsman, this is
his only relaxation from the cares of
State. You happen to have friend
among his personal attendants: Their
Maiesties are driving out and you are
permitted to see their apartments. Those
of the Emperor are simple enough-two
plain rooms, covered with India mating
and simply furnished in dark sober-look.
walnut. By his bedside stands, before a
priedieu, silver crucitix, with ivory
Christus, the gift of his father, the late
Arch-duke Franz Karl, on his first com.
munion, as the inscription at its base
tells you, and which always accompanies
him on his travels. On his writing table
are lying some course Virginia cigars
for he is an inveterate Sunderland on a
i shelf above are well-worn military cup
and few books in several languages.
| A long corridor divides these rooms
from the apartments of the Empress
still, in spite of her rising family OF
grandchildren, celebrated beauty. Here
is imperial splendor enough. Ante
chambers, filled with choice exotics,
Louis Quatorze furniture in white and
gold, rooms in rose and blue and pale
green silk, Aubusson carpets, and gilded
mirrors, curious cabinets, and. what most
attracts your notice, is fine collection Of
water-color drawings of Tyrolese scenery
In one of the ante-rooms is lying, on 8
deerskin mat, big ull-blooded English
mastiff-a great tavoite with Her Majesty
and her companion on all her. journeys
This Imperial dog has special attendant
devoted to his service-a gayly-dresseo
Moor, sent as a present to the Emperor
by the Viceroy of Egypt, after his last
visit to Vienna As You step out of tl,
villa you notice a large swing, will
which the Royal children amuse them
selves; and grazing in the paddock ar,
half dozen Hungarian mares.
The fash of chasseur's white plum,
comes in sight, and their Majesties driv,
past on their way home in a low,open car
riage drawn by span of grays. A tai
snare man of soldierly bearing, in tn
light blue uniform of an Australn Gener
al, who does not look much over forty
: though he is nearer fifty, with sandy hal
> cropped close to the head, and t,rnin.
/. an iron-gray SPECULATION military whisker
I and mustach The, small, restless gray eye
I and blunt features and heavy lips tina
!, distinguished the Hapsburg family. Thi
is the man whom, thirty years ago,
g bloody revolution Called to the thorne o
: Austria. He is master OF half dcz,
!. European languages, and wins the heart
!, of his subject by add rcssing deputation
Hungary and Bohemia, from mothe
. tongue. In spite of his almost proverbi
I al misfortune in war, he is personall
& very popular all over the Empire. y s.
q At Ischl, the Emperor rises with til
d sun, and after cup of coffee and kir
), Eel, starts off in an old undress uniforrr
q 4 Jacket and toraging cap. with a stick fc
. companion, on solitary hours rambl
d il the woods. Toward eloht the Impel
y ial courier arrives in Vienna, and som
d time is spent in attending to dispatche
and papers OF State-ior Francis Josep