The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1895-12-28

tries to make this bonfire seem to be the
result OF an accident, but his attendants
know that the sudden cracking and the
quick flame Is one of the greatest of his
pleasures.
LIGHTING HIS CIGARETTE.
1t was reported by visitor two or three
years ago that Otto had an unplea san ut
trick OF trying 10 light ms cigarette at the
eye or the nose or the nearest servant,
suppOsing, or affecting to suppose, that an
electric spark would he found to furnish
fire. This folly. like some other OF his
habits, was probably wantonly mischiev-
Gus, FOR the doctors who watch the king
believe that many OF his freaks are tie
hDerate indulgcnces of u childish love OF
teazing. They say that, like many insane
persons, he recognizes the impunity con-
ferred upon him by his irresponsibility.
This Is often the case with lunatics who
refuse to admit that they are In the slight
est degree unsound. Believing themselves
to lie altogether sane, and to he needlessly
and uniUstiy confined, they nevertheless
want to enjoy all the privileges which
their supposed condition gives them.
There is 10 trick of tins sort that otto
does not play, and his attendants lead a
sorry life. One OF his Tavorite devices for
their discontinue is to invent unpleasant
stories about them. or disa strous incid ents
in their domestic lives, and then affect tos
discover tnest. IactS III the Newspapers ard
read them out with huge susto- when
one OF his doctors denies him an excessive
allowance OF his favcrite beverage-Clilm-
payne and beer poured togcther-Otto reads
aloud an imaginary column OF the Munich
Tagebiatt. in which the physicians pri-
vate lie and professional character are
shockingly mauled. And the solemn doc
tor has to stand patiently while the ser
wants chuceie over the intelligence that
his diploma was issued by Il veterinary
school and that his practice is exclusively
confined to the promoting OF graveyard
Insurance svindles.
Long practice combined with the simian
TASTE for mimicry which chara cterizes the
insane, gives the king astounding skill in
the eNteniporizatton of these amazing news
paper items, and some OF them have been
noted down and reported for The considera-
ton OF German aliensts.
FOND OF BEAUTY.
A sad side OF the kings maIady is his in
nOccnt and boyisii fondness for pretty
women. A few years ago he was a violent
croton,aniac, prone to extravaganocs as
shocking as those which marked Ludwig
life. But or late, when his attention is ar
Rested by any pretty face lie Sees the king
iniagines himself to be a little boy who has
found childish sweetheart. With his
unkenpt beard, his scanned face, and his
burnt-out eyes, ii is indeed strange that he
can fancy himself a sciioolboy again
or all quiet and gentle animals he is
devotediy fond, bat restiesshorse or a bark
ing dog annoy him very keenIy. II is one
of his half-mad. hair-clever sayings that
the worms and tie snakes. despisetl and
loathe'l as they have always been, are really
the pieasantest OF all oreatures-noiseless,
calm and graceful. He carefully picks up
every earth worm he finds in his gardens Il nd
carries II TO the choicest spot he can find.
telling his attendants that the worm will
come 10 his grave and repay his Kindness by
transporting the disintegrated particles OF |
his body to the pleasantest hooks in the :
park.
In all this tangled mass OF disordered |
fancies there is much that is anna be and |
and the good people OF the coup ;
try side love to dwell upon the gentle inn /
aginings of their afflicted sovereign.
The knowledge of his disposition WILL in !
all probability, be kept from him. 1t Will /
cost his successor only a small sacrifice of /
his pride to allow the helpless Otto to be !
still called a king within the walls of his !
retreat. And there is no reason 10 believe !
that Luitpold is not kindly disposed to poor, |
mad Otto. I
From time to time an obscure rumor
arises that o ito is ill-uscd, that his mental |
has been Intentionally aggravated
Dy those who fear that he may recover and
assume his legitimate position. But the
loyalty OF the Bavarians, or ra Their their
strong feeling OF affection for the " itteis-
back family. is so well known that one may
disregard any such tales.
Doctors disagree. as dcctcrs always do,
)ut they have done their best for the poor
creature whose titles are about to be taken
from him.