Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-06-17

Copyrighted, 1867
PART +
BY MAX NORDAU.
AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION BY MARY ]. Stafford

The Herr Won Jagerfeld, 4 rich manu-
facturer who had recently been elevated
to the rank Of baron in the Bavarian
nobility, was celebrating double fes-
tiyal: his silver wedding and the COM
Dletion of his castle, E'ranZenruhe,
which he had built outside the gates of
Marktbreit. on the slope of one OF the
hills. which, as the last western spur
of the SteigerWald, roll IN Il gradual
descent to the banks of the Main. The
castle was a magnificent editice, iii the
Renaissance Style-Of course. Red sand
stone and white marble had been used,
with Il beautiful effect of color. for the
facade which made q lavish display of
pilasters with foliage and vine work,
inches containing statues, and bay win
llows with beautiful wrought iron rail
ings. The castle stood in the midst of
n lovely park filed with trees Il century
old, which extended up to the summit OF
the hill and down to the river.
The master of the castle liked 4 Law
ish style He had invited to his house
warming numerous guests, to whom, III
the spacious apartments planned Tor
this purpose. he could offer really
royal hospitality, at once magnificent
and refined. They were chiefly land
owners from the province of the Main,
from Frankfort, and acquaintances
from places still more remote, who had
focked here VIII their wives and grown
children. so that from early morning
the mansion had been filled with joyous
life.
The entire company assembled for
the first time at the banquet which took
place in the evening The large dining
hall. Wainscoted with polished marble
in the style of the Italian palaces.
whose painted ceiling was supported
by fiuted columns, was lighted by 4
superb chandelier with hundreds OF wax
candies, and contained long table
very richly set. Silver ornaments eN-
ouiSiteIy adorned the center and the
ends. The china, the array of glasses
of all shapes which stood beside each
plate. bore the initials of the master OF
the house. without any heraldlc addl-
ton which might recall the recent ele-
vation of rank, a graceful bit OF coquet-
ry on the part of a man who had been
successful in life, but who was no up
start. At every plate was also placed
4 bouquet, in a holder representing Il
crystal lily with q silver cup. The com
pany harmonized with the Luxurious
environment. The married ladies at
tracted the eye by their elegant toiletteS
and rich jewels, the young girls
among whom were several OF beWltch-
ing beauty and freshness-in simpler
costumes. with flowers in their hair. by
their natural charms. Even among the
monotonous black dress coats of the
men. an eye which took pleasure in
color found some degree Of satisfaction
in the gay uniform of several Bayarla2
and Russian officers.
The hostess. still a pretty woman.
with her wealth of fair hair and her
clear complexion, over whose delicate
transparency the years had passed
with scarcely trace, had at her right
an elderly general with numerous or
ders, who, being great eater and a
very poor conversationalist, Toasted his
eyes alternately on his plate and on
the pretty faces, whispering to his
neighbor remarks about the viands and
the feminine guests, whose artless sim
plicity-they consisted chiefly of a noun
and a laudatory adjective-showed a
profoundly satisfied and comfortable
mood At her left sat a highly esteemed
friend of the family. DR.. Bergman, a
young physician, a tutor in the Wurz-
burg university, who. during the past
three years. had twice had the opportun-
ity of saving Frau Won Jagerfeld and
her eldest daughter. in cases of severe
illness, from threatening death, and to
whom the whole family therefore felt