River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1909-02-04

IN r
Henri Sienkiewicz, author of
"Quo Vadis," when a repre-
sentative of the New York World
asked him his plans.
1t is regrettable fact that since his
third marriage, with Countess Babska,
this great writer has given very little
to the world. He says he is not in the
mood. Possibly the delicate state of
health in which Miss Sienkiewicz has
been for some time has had a good
deal to do with it, as he has passed
many anxious moments on her &C.
count.
On her account, also, he is not able
| to pass the winter on his estate near
| Warsaw, in the government of Kielce.
| This property, which is called "Oblen-
| gorek," was given to him by the Polish
people on the occasion Of his jubilee,
some seven years ago. 1t is situated
| in the prettiest part of Poland, far
| enough from a railway station to in
sure privacy from the inroads of tour
| lists, and possesses, besides the house,
beautiful park and a home farm.
| The house. which is rambling and
comfortable, reminds one little of
the more substantial Swiss villas. In
fact, the government of Kielce is
often called Polish Switzerland, from
it's hills and valleys and beautiful
views The drawing-room, furnished
in the style of the first empire, is a
mingling of restful, neutral shades.
The dining-room, furnished in typical
Polish style, with many good pictures
by modern artists, leads into the au-
thor's study, though, as a matter of
fact, Sienkiewicz' best work-includ-
ing "Quo Vadis''-was done elsewhere
Besides these rooms, on the ground
floor are other sitting and bedrooms.
The general effect is one of SIMPLE
ity, neatness and good taste.
Park Is Beautiful
But the chief charm of Oblengorek
lies in the park, with its shady hooks,
dim alleys and confusion of flowers.
Then, too, there is the spring of min
eral water, discovered on the estate
soon after it was presented to it's
present owner. At the time it was
hoped that this water, which M. Sien-
kiewicz christened "Ursus," in mem
DRY of the gigantic Pole in Quo
Vadis," would be sent all over the
world. 1t is not unlike Apollinaris in
taste and it is clear and sparkling In
a short time, however, it was found
that, owing to the difficulties connect
ed with transport, the water, even in
Warsaw, was too expensive to have
a large sale. Small quantities are still,
however, bottled and sent to different
parts of the country. The spring is
built round in a tasteful way that
characterizes all that has been done
by the owner of Oblengorek
NJ Sinekiewicz, whose handsome,
powerful head shows signs of having
been "out in the snow" has travelled
about a great deal. Among other
places he has visited the United States
of America. He has little but praise
for Americans and their country And
praise is thing with which he is not
lavish, as many people have found out.
Truly, if anybody were to ask me
which nation has attained the best
civilization l would unhesitatingly an
swer, The American he said TN Eu-
rope only a few classes of the COM
munity have embraced civilization
or, rather, to speak quite correctly,
only one class has done so. This class
has gathered in and keeps everything.