Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-06-06
TRIP TO rHg FOREST OF ARDEN.
ftynprluted

TRIP TO The FOREST OF ARDEN
(Concluded-l
Madame Modjeska's theatrical experience
began with a travelling company composed OF
neig bors and friends, but her rise was rapid
and she was given life contract by the
Royal theatre in her OWE country She came
to California, on account Of poor hesith.abont
the year ISIS Sue was accompanied by q
number of friends, who attempted to found 3
model colony at AnaheiTn. II consisted OF
eight persons. but none Of them knew any
thing about farming, and it was dismal
failure.
One day while living ri snaheim she went
OF on a long horseback ride and discovered
the spot which she said WAS the most beauti-
full she had ever seen. and which she after
ward acquired and named THE Forest OF
Arden" IL was her home, between her
theatrical tours, tor more than twenty-five
years. and many famous and lnotahle people
were entertained there by her, including
some of the greatest artists Ct the day In va
rious lines. Paderewski WAS warm friend
of Madame MojesEa, and the Polish author OF
.Quo Wards" spent more than year as her
guest and wrote almost the whole OF his IA
nous book while there.
The house is large bungalow Of East
Iadian architecture, ana was designed Tor
Modjeska by the noted architect. Stanford
White. Tbis.hopse is now the central hotel,
and scattered through the grounds are many
cabins and cottages which give additional
Accommodations for guests. The great
Iising-roon is very interesting, with small
music room opening off, which Madame used
as a stage in rehearsing her parts, and Also
for private theatricals. There is huge
stone fireplace, ana two sides OF the room are
lined with book cases, for she was a student
and book-ioyer.
Many OF her original possessions and
furnishings are stiil Ia the house, and had
the privilege Of sleeping ia Aodleska's own
room, which is almost she left IL. IL is
called the "torest IRE room" as one
window COOKING out splendid hill
covered with trees Is composed OF clear
crimson glass, and looking through IL, the
forest and hillside seem zone mass Of flame.
"a the morning. wheo. the sun rose, IL was
q wonderful sight
The grounds Immediately surrounding the
house are very beautiful, with great trees.
rare plants and shrubs from every quarter OF
the globe, and many winding paths. There
and a cement swimmingi pool fed by . cold
mountain brook. Near the main entrance of
the house is a giant live oak tree at least six
feet in diameter, and towering upward In
proportion TO its trunk. Close to this tree is
well fed by deep springs of the most de-
licious pure water. as cold and clear as could
be desired. Over this well rustic house. or
arbor has been built. and beside it Modjeska
mis- MT vii har ha nd a hus h of
the "Gold of ophir" variety. 1t is enormous
now. and one arbor is gioriousiy clothed in .
robe Of pinky-so,d. for the blossoms are in
incredible profusion. Then the branches
climb straight up the live oak tiee and twine
and mingle with the branches, sending down
trailing sariands OF glory. II is indescrib-
ably beautiful, and looking mp as far - one
can see, the roses mingiing with the dark
oak branches, against the SKY.
The grounds are lighted with electricity,
bnt not giaringly, and thet whole effect ia
harmonious and restful beyond description.
When twilight fell the frogs in neighboring
marshes and pools began their song and the
brook murmured by drowsily. One felt shut
OF from the Outside world. and I could almost
| imagine was = child again. back In the old
home. with the frogs singing their bedtime
lullaby.
We all awoke early the next morning. and
after breakfast, took the trail for about half .
mile up the hill to the Lake Of Arden" 1t il
strenuous climb, IN places almost perpen
dicular: we crossed the mountain stream i've
times. using stepping stones, but At last
reached the top and felt amply repaid for our
trouble. The lake consists OF four acres and
was created by building large cement dam
for faef xvid "a al ha hs,tt M u
feet high, costing over $4,000 to construct
This lake Is ted by an ever-running mountain
brook rising in The forest reserve, and fur.
nishes the water supply for the ranch.
We left the Forest of Arden by way OF Fl
Biliousf Feel heavy after dinner Tongue