The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-09

filled with the wealth torn from tropical
forests. 1t is q residences fit for a sane
king, and for an insane one it makes a mag
niticant asylum.
King Otto took a singular exception to
his lovely home last year. He said that the
palace would be perfect were il not for one
dangerous defect. The carpets were all
mad of thin glass and it was SO brittle that
he did not dare to tread upon it.
He retired to his private apartments and
could not be prevailed upon TO come out
until every carpet in the palace had been
taken up. This was a work which required
an army of attendants for a whole day. At
last, toward sunset, the king came timidly
forth, trying evsiy plank in the flooring,
like an elephant crossing a bridge. The
sight of q carpet caused him to fall into
violent fits of rage for days thereafter.
His next hallucination was not danger
Gus to himself or to his attendants. and so
he has not been interfered with in it. From
time to time he fancies that the walls
of any room in which he happens to
which he reads imaginary news for hours
together. Insane though he be, he is not
without n touch of the unctuous Bavarian
humor; and if he sees any of his attendants
watching him he will read out in a loud
voice some item of news from his simulated
which is very unpleasant to that
person. In the palace they say they have
heard the news from the kings newspapers
when they mean that a scolding has been
received.
In King Ludwig's time Otto was afflicted
with a mania for flying. Nothing pleased
him 80 much as to stand on a platform in Il
dark room for hours together, Tapping his
arms and awaiting with scstacy a rise into
air.
Sometimes he would leap headlong and
receive injuries which would contine hin
to his bed for days. But he would valiant
ly begin again and go on trying to fly until
the doctors and attendants cajoled hun into
giving 1t up.
He has one little game which quite cir
cumvents the doctors, and he tries this
about once a wear. This is to refuse ali
nourishment unless they give him his own
way. In this way he secures indulgence in
many costly follies. for no doctor wishes to
the king to stntve himself to death.
The career of the monarch is pathetic
and it is nl the more touching because he
belonga to an ancient house to which tho
nation ia entirely loyal. The Bavarians
love to be ruled over by the house of Wit
telsbach, and one of the greatest annual
fetes is in celebration of their fidelity to
their monarch, mad or sane.
1t is said that King Ludwig. before his
own meutnl condition had become clouded,
used to come once or twice a month to his
brother Otto's palace. and from n room In
to which Otto is never allowed to 90 would
gaze ut the poor maniac's antics and OBJ
scr We his yagnries.
For hours he would sit brooding alone
after having seen this melancholy spec
tacle, rs If mourning over the sombre des-
tiny of the royal family of which he was
chief.
There ia no prospect that King Otto will
die by his own act, AZ HIS royal brother did.
He liz too we'll guarded for that; and there
nre times when no considers himself per
foctly happy. He may live to ripe old age.
There is every prospect that he will outlive
tho present reSentof the kingdom. and pos
sihly all of his attendants.
Last year there was n rumor that he was
sinking, butt proved untrue. He may live
on-the mad king-until another genera
ton which know not his brother, comes in,
and will feel loss reverence for him than Ia
felt to-day.
In the old castle of Furstenried they take
little note of time, the years pass marked
by no events save the kings new vaparies,
and many of the inferior attendants do not
even know that n regent conducts the gov
nmen in King Otto's stead.