Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1899-05-23

ana men She Elnolty NOE
Him 1t Drove Him wild.
When Patti was in the first heyday
bf her fame, Ludwig II, the mad king
of Bavaria, set his heart en- having her
sing for him at his private auditorium
in Munich. He wrote letter after letter,
begging, imploring, offering eNtrava-
CANT sums of money, but Patti resolute-
ly refused to go. She had heard too
many stories of Ludwig's 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
tion, not even carriage was there to
meet them, and they had to inquire the
name of the best hotel and call a cab
like any ordinary travellers That was
the first shock to the diva's 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 a visit from Europe's
greatest singer. Not 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 at that moment a resplendent
officer was announced. He saluted her
and delivered a 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
!,
further directions Nine. Fischer would
also sing with Nine. Patti the duets
which his majesty wished to hear. A
programme was inclosed. Patti burst
into tears of rage.
81 have never been treated SO bru-
tally" she said 81 shall leave at once.
Tell the king so. will 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 would come and had not
slept for three nights so great was his
joy at the prospect of hearing her.
''Besides. - added the officer. 'tyou
know our king is-is-is-''
Cray, snapped Patti. "Yes, that's
very comforting. isn't it? don't know
why 1 ever came just then she caught
sight of postscript she had not read:
1.-The king commands Nine. 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 win have to be panied
l have no white woolen gown except
my peignoir Go tell the king l shall
wear red velvet.
"Redl" groaned the officer. ''Oh, no,
mol Red sends his majesty into fits. If
you appear in red, he will scream and
have convulsicns. Oh, do be patient,
madamel l 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
peignoir and transformed it 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
hGSS save 4bI luS l1dI GhGG1GO
through the windows. Patti stood upon
the dark stage. while an orchestra,
somewhere out of sight, began 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
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 Her 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. Nine 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. Mime.
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's explana-
tion of the concert fiasco pleased Patti
more than the jewels King Ludwig,
she said, was in one of his maddest
moods, wild with regret. cursing him
self and cursing Patti He had walked
the floor all night. groaning that he
was traitor. for PATHS voice had so
ravished 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 had
satisfied his majesty's soul
THAT was better than having bored