Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-09-08
LUDWIG'S CASTLES
Visited by Our Maine Tourists
in Germany.
The Wonderful Creations Of a Remark
able Monarch.
Bea 'ilul Scenes Desc ii ed for tne Journal by
Mrs. kotzschmar.
Fussen. August "a, 1900.

warned +. decentralization seats"
slowly reiterated w. with deliberate
emphasis, which was wholly lost on
the little Deutsch driver, who, liter
ally grinning from ear to ear, impa-
tiently cried. ia wohl ia wohl" alike
to German and English reminders. 1t
was our last night in Oberammergau,
and We We're deciding to follow the
parting advice of Munich friends. don't
fail TO visit Ludwig's castles at Lin
derhof, Hohenschwangan and Neusch-
wanstein, making the last two trips
from dear old Fussen.' "
Preliminary arrangements as to con-
veyance by carriage. the only means
Of transit. had been made by Herr
Bauer. and the price stipulated a tritie
over seven marks each. AS a mere
matter of form, however. we inquired
how much?" Eight marks" was the
prompt reply. We acquiesced with in
ward amusement. realizing that 10
seph" was making sure Of the "trink-
geld" but reaping later more satisfac-
ton in heaping one small coal Of fire
on his head than we can ever again
experience. No more perfect morning
ever shown than when at half past
seven We climbed up to front seats
beside our driver. the shelving top of
whose vehicle rested on our heads. our
hats resting in our laps all the way.
The entire household saw US off and
with many "auf weidersehens' and
parting hand-Clasps We started on our
all day drive. How large is Under
hof?" was our first query. Three
The castle, the keepers and the res
taurant." Forests stretching as far as
the eye could see, sloping hills and
mountains of green rising one above
the other, leaves glistening in the sun
light from their baths Of mist and
dew, and in the center of this lowell
ness is placed the little schloss Of Lin
derhof the glory of which is the
grounds. In all directions We're shady
walks whose limit reached far beyond
our sight; endless flower beds blOOmed
in myriad cOlors. Facing the open door
Of the castle, steps led up to a carved
temple on the hill and standing as
though risen from the streams Of wa
ter that flowed like molten silver down
each step, was life size marble Aph-
rodite. Our first intention was to walk
through the house, but we quickly dis
covered that our dollar and a half by
no means gave free choice. In the Off
cial tone and manner, from which in
Germany there is no appeal. the guide
said: We will first visit the Blue
GrOttO," and meekly we fell into line
A long, dark passage brought us to
large rocky opening which reflected by
means Of glass, soft blue light Hang
ing stuCCo stalaCtites, bronze vines and
flowers were too obviously hand made
to require the guides assurance, 1T
is all artificial" A realistic waterfall
glowing with crimson electric fire tum-
bled over rocks into a large pond. The
historic swan boat in which Ludwig.
impersonating in every detail Of dress
the knight of Lohengrin. was won't to
float about, was anchored here. A
powerful light brought out in startling
distinCtness an enormous painting fill
ing one entire side Of the grotto repre-
senting in almost life size figures of
Tannhauser at the court of Venus
Climbing a large boulder, we discoy-
cred the chair where formerly the king
dreamed for hours Moments however,
sutficed for US. LudWig's desire for
q lodge in some vast wilderness" all
by himself, was surely satisfied here,
the small rooms Of the castle showing
plainly they We're planned for one
Painted walls, glittering chandeliers.
carved wood work OVERLAND with silver
made one chamber bewilderin.ly like
another. The one original idea was in
the dining A small square
crack in the floor showing the trap
door where, in Arabian Nights fashion
the table spread with tempting viands
appeared and disappeared at the king
pleasure. Doubts as to its practical
working, and timid suggestions that
we would be gratitied TO see the
wheels 90 round were alike received
in stony silence. and somewhat abash-
ed we sought the "restauration." We
had barely finished boullion with egg.
by no means an unpalatable combina-
tiOn, when Joseph showed unmistaka-
Bile eagerness to be off and away Now
we are in the Austrian Tyrol." he an
nounced. as a few moments later We
passed a barely noticed signboard. The
air was just the same, no perceptible
difference in soil or scenery. but what
satisfaction for US to know we We're
gazing On Tyrolean landscapes.
~ ON6oA a. ANltoN WY UP mountain
roads we travelled till at last We drew
rein before the one small inn Of the
scattered village Of Plannsee. seeming
~ stopped from further progress by
the long line Of rugged mountains that
rose preCipitately in almost perpendic-
ular height from the broad, placid lake
that stretched away for miles The one
memorable object in Plannsee for us
VIII ever be the "fatted calf" snow
white, not year old. What fascina-
tons he possessed, He EambOled
toward Us in affectionate greeting the
moment we alighted. playfuIIy begin |
nlng to chew our hlndkerchiefs. Not
knowing his Unsuitable desire for linen.
we encouraged his advances. enticing
MN unWlttingly toward the clothes 8
me. where to our horror and his own
ef wrath. he drew in at a breath one
article after another. our united efforts /
barely saving remnant rs he sub |
Jet 70 such attacks" we asked SYM /
pathetically.
Ever since he was born" was the
despairing answer He. has eaton m
all our clothes. It's no use I've got 70
NH MIN, and the man shook his FIST
tHTeatenlnRlN a ha