Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-05-16
CRAZY KING LUDWIG.
PATTI ONCE THREW HIM INTO 4
FRENZY OF MADNESS.

FHGNGv W MAON6o0s
He Frightenea ana EsraSeA ths
Great Diva by His Strange Whims
and when she Finally Ssns Fol
Him II Drove Hin WilS.
/, When Patti was In the nrst heyday
Of her fame. Ludwig II. the mad kine
Of Bavaria. set his heart on having he'
sing for him at his private auditorium
in Munich. He wrote letter after letter.
begging. imploring. Offering extrava'
CANT sums Of money, but Patti resolute'
ly refused to 90. She had heard toe
many stories Of Ludwig's freaks. hii
curses and bis unreasonable commands.
and she was desperately afraid Of him.
But at last the king offered her sum
60 enormous that il seemed ridiculous
to refuse it. Then the singer plucked uI
courage and started for Munich. When
she and her maid alighted at the sta
tion. not even carriage was there tc
meet them. and they bad to inquire the
name Of the best hotel and call cat
like any ordinary travellers. That was
the first shock to the diva's nerves and
temper. After luncheon she started ont
TO see the town and incidentally to
examine the posters announcing the
great honor conferred upon the citizens
Of Munich by visit from Europe &
greatest singer. Not a mention OF her
name could she find in the town. She
rushed back TO the hotel and told her
maid 10 pack the trunks.
inst at that moment resplendent
officer was announced. He saluted her
and delivered letter from the king.
The letter stated curtly that his majesty
would await her at o'clock precisely
in the Royal palace. where his singer in
ordinary. Nine. Fischer. would give ber
further directions Nine. Fischer would
also sing with Mime. Patti the duets
which his majesty wished to hear A
programme was incloeed. Patti burst
into tears Of rage
81 have never been treated so bru-
tally" she said. II shall leave at once.
Tell the kings Twill not sing-never.
never. neveri' 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 wonld come and had not
slept for three nights, so great was bis
Joy at the prospect Of hearing her.
Besides. added the officer. "you
know our king is-is-is-"
"Crazy. snapped Patti. "Yes. that's
very comforting. isn't itr Idon't know
why | ever came Just then she caught
sight of postscript she had not read
"The king commands Nine. Patti to
appear in pure white. without any
color whatever, and not by any means
to wear a satin gown, but soft wool
Silk is painful TO his majesty. "
"His majesty will have to be psined
I have no white woolen gown except
my peignoir Go tell the king shall
wear red velvet.
"Redr" groaned the officer. "Oh. no.
mol Red sends his majesty into fita II
you appear in red. he will scream and
have convulsicns Oh, do be patient,
madamel | will bring Nine Fischer to
you. She understands the king nerves.
She will explain. "
He fed from the room. and, shortly
after. Mime. Fischer appeared upon the
scene. She soothed Patti into good
humor and also attacked the white wool
peignoir and transformed 1t into a
most becoming Greek robe
Before 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 out of sight. began a soft
prelude Through the gloom she could
just make out white face in 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
lived from nervous terror There was a
pause The king sprang mp 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. Her voice rang out into the great
empty place. and the king sank back
into the dark box
PATTY though badly scared, made the
effort Of her life and finished the aria
from LA Traviata" triumphantly and
stood flushed with victory. Dead 81
lence. Not sound came from the gloom
before her. She went of the stage in a
temper. His majesty might have given
some sign Of appreciation. Nine. Fischer
was behind the scenes. and Patti wait
ed with her for the signal ~ sing the
next number. A messenger appeared at
the door. His majesty had had enough
music and had gone to his apartments.
For q moment Patti stood stunned.
Then she laughed The rudeness was SC
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 oi
thanks from the king and some jewels
Of great value Nine Fiscber's explana'
tion Of the concert dasco pleased Patti
more than the jewels King Ludwig,
she said. was in one Of his maddesi
moods. wild with regret, cursing him
self and cursing Patti he bad walked
the floor all night. groaning that ht
was traitor, for PATHS voice had q
favished his senses that for one mo
ment he had gone over to Italian music
and had been false to Wagner-to Wag
ner. the one musician who alone hat
satisfied his majesty's soul
THAT was better than having bored
him." added Patti. shrugging hel
shoulders New York Sun
All About Il.
''There's one thing about the nortl