Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-08-13
THE LUNATIC
Patti Once Threw Him Into a
Frenzy of Madness.
A FREAK or THE CRAZY KING.

Munich II Drove Him Wild.
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 let
ter, begging, imploring, Offering ex-
travaRant sums OF money, but Patti
reaOlutely refused to go. She had heard
too many stories OF Ludwig's freaks
and was desperately afraid OF him. but
at last the king offered her a sum so
enormous that 1t seemed ridiculous to
refuse It. Then the singer plucked up
courage and started for Munich. When
che and her maid alighted at the sta
ton not even carriage was there to
meet them, and they had to inquire the
name Of the best hotel and call a cab.
That was the first shock to the diya's
nerves and temper. After luncheon she
started out to see the town and Incl.
dentally to examine the posters an
nouncing Europe's greatest singer. Not
a mention OF her name could she find.
She rushed back to the hotel and told
her maid to pack the trunks.
Just at that moment a resplendent
oEGicer delivered letter from the king.
The letter stated CURLY that his maj.
esty would wait for her at Z o'clock
precisely In the royal palace, where his
singer In ordinary, Nine. Fischer,
would give her further directions.
Mime. Fischer would also sing with
Nine. Patti the duets which his maj
esty wished to hear. A programme
was Enclosed. Patti wept with rage.
II have never been treated so bru-
tally" she said. II shall leave at once.
Tell the king 50. will not sing
never. never, neverF" The officer
pleaded with the irate prima donna
His majesty had been wild with ex.
element ever since he knew she would
come and had not slept for three
nights, 80 great was his Joy at the
prospect OF hearing her
Besides" added the officer. ''you
know your king is-ls-is"-
Gray" snapped Patti. Eyes, that's
very comforting. isn't IN don't know
why ! ever came" Just then she
caught sight Of this postscript:
'@The king commands Nine. Patti to
appear in pure white, without any
color whatever, and not by any means
70 wear satin gown. but soft wool.
SILK IL painful 10 his majesty"
"His majesty viii have to be panied.
] have no white wooden gown except
my Deignoir. / shall wear red velvet"
"RedW groaned the officer. "Oh, no,
mol Red sends his majesty into flts.
II you appear In red, he win scream
and have commissions. Oh. do be pa.
TENT madamei Will bring Mime.
Fischer to you. She understands the
kings nerves. She will explain"
He ned from the room. and shortly
after Mime. Fischer appeared upon the
scene. She soothed Patti into good
humoF and also attacked the white
wool peignolr and transformed It into
q most becoming Greek robe.
Before Z the royal carriage arrived
at the hotel and Patti went to the pal.
ace. She was led through dlmly
lighted rooms and corridors into Lud-
wigs private theater. which was In
utter darkness save for the moonlight
that entered through the windows.
Fatu stood upon the dark stage, while
an orchestra. somewhere out of sight.
began a soft prelude. Through the
gloom abe could just make out white
race IN the royal box opposite the
stage. Not another auditor was In the
great hall.
Patti felt the 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 opened her mouth, but her
throat was paraly1ed from nervous
terror There was a pause. The king
sprang up aud leaned forward out OF
the box. his white face cleaning In the
moonlight The vlolins repeated the
prelude. Patti gathered herself TO.
gether and made ono heroic effort
Her voice rang out into tho great
empty place. and the king sank back
into the dark box.
Patti. though badly scared, made the
enort Of her llfe and finished the aria
from ia Travlata" trlumphantiy and
stood flushed with victory. Dead 81.
tenee. Not a sound came from the
gloom before her. She went on the
stage IN q temper, Nine Fischer was
behind the scenes. and Patti waited
with her for the signal 70 sing the
next number. A messenger appeared
at the door. His majesty had had
enough music and had gone to ais
apartmentA For moment Patti
stood stunned. Then she laughed. The
rudeneas was 20 colossal that It was
funny. Nine. Fischer took the diva TO
supper and then home.
The next morning Nine. Fischer
called az the hotel once more, accom-.
panied By the court chamberlain. who
boEe the promised check. an autograph
aester Of thanks from the king and
some Jewels Of great value. King
Lodwig. Nine. Fischer said, was In cue
OF bis maddest moods. wild with 70.
gret. curaing himself aud earslng Pat.