Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-06-01
CRAZY KING LUDWIG.
9ATTi ONCE THREW HIM INTO A
FRENZY OF MADNESS.


When Patti was in the first heyday
of her fame, Ludwig H. the mad king
of Bavaria. set his heart On having her
sing for him at his private auditorium
in Munich He wrote letter after letter,
begging, imploring, offering extrava-
giant sums of money, but Patti resolute-
ly refused to go. She had heard too
many stories of Ludwigs freaks, his
curses and his unreasonable commands.
and she was desperately afraid of him.
But at last the king offered her sum
SO enormous that it seemed ridiculous
to refuse it. Then the singer plucked up
courage and started for Munich When
she and her maid alighted at the sta
ton, not even a carriage was there 10
meet them. and they had to inquire the
name of the best hotel and call cab
like any ordinary travellers. That was
the first shock to the diva 8 nerves and
temper After luncheon she started out
to see the town and incidentally to
examine the posters announcing the
great honor conferred upon the citizens
of Munich by IA visit from Europe's
greatest singer Not a mention of her
name could she find in the town. She
rushed back to the hotel and told her
maid TO pack the trunks.
Just mt that moment a resplendent
officer was announced. He saluted her
and delivered a letter from the king
The letter stated CURLY that his maiesty
would await her at o'clock precisely
in the Royal palace, where his singer in
ordinary, Mime. Fischer, would give her
further directions Nine Fischer would
also sing with Mime. Patti the duets
which his majesty wished to hear A
programme was inclosed. Patti burst
into tears of rage.
II have never been treated so bru
tally, she said Il shall leave at once.
Tell the king so. | will not sing-never,
never neverl'' The officer pleaded with
the irate prima donna. She must not
disappoint the king His majesty had
been wild with excitement ever since
he knew she would come and had not
slept for three nights, so great was his
JOY at the prospect of hearing her.
Besides, added the officer. 'you
know our king is-is-is-"
Crazy. snapped Patti. Eyes, that's
very comforting, isn't It'll don know
why ever came. Just then she caught
sight of postscript she had not read
1.-The king commands Mime. Patti to
appear in pure white, without any
color whatever, and not by any means
to wear satin gown, but soft wool
Silk is painful to his majesty.
His majesty will have to be panied
| have no white wooden gown except
my peignoir Go tell the king / shall
wear red velvet.
"Red !" groaned the officer. "Oh. no,
mol Red sends his majesty into fits. If
you appear in red, he will scream and
have commissions. Oh, do be patient,
madamel | will bring Nine. Fischer to
you. She understands the king nerves.
She will explain.
He fled from the room, and, shortly
after, Nine. Fischer appeared upon the
scene. She soothed Patti into good
humor and also attacked the white wool
most becoming Greek robe.
Before 7 the royal carriage arrived at
the hotel and Patti went to the palace.
She was led through dimly lighted
rooms and corridors into Ludwig's pri
vate theater, which was in utter dark
ness save for the moonlight that entered
through the windows. Patti stood upon
the dark stage. while an orchestra,
somewhere ont of sight began soft
prelude. Through the gloom she could
Just make out white face iii the royal
box opposite the stage Not another au-
ditor was in the great hall. The whole
thing was most uncanny, and Patti felt
cold shivers creeping over her. She
shook with nervousness and fear, and
when she should have begun her aria
not sound could she make. She open
ed her mouth, but her throat was para
lyzed from nervous terror. There was a
pause The king sprang up and leaned
forward out of the box, his white face
cleaning in the moonlight The violins
repeated the prelude. Patti gathered
herself together and made one heroic
effort. tIer voice rang out into the great
empty place, and the king sank back
into the dark box.
Patti, though badly scared, made the
effort of her life and finished the aria
from LA Traviata" triumphantly and
stood flushed with victory. Dead ST.
lence. Not sound came from the gloom
before her. She went off the stage in a
temper. His majesty might have given
some sign of appreciation. Mime. Fischer
was behind the scenes, and Patti wait
ed with her for the signal to sing the
next number. A messenger appeared at
the door. His majesty had had enough
music and had gone to his apartments
For moment Patti stood stunned
Then she laughed The rudeness was so
colossal that it was funny. Nine.
Fischer took the diva to supper and then
home
The next morning Mime. Fischer called
at the hotel once more, accompanied by
the court chamberlain. who bore the
promised check, an autograph letter of
thanks from the king and some Jewels
of great value Mime. Fischer ) explana-
tion of the concert fasco pleased Patti
more than the jewels King Ludwig,
she said. was in one of his maddest
moods, wild with regret. cursing him