The Hunted House of Mrs. Essigmann





















Some little houses secrets hold

As they in silence stand,

In summer's heat, or winter's cold

The charm of many a land.



But some are wrapped in mystery,

Boast charm peculiar,

These houses have a legacy,

You can sense it from afar.



The little house of which I speak

I special so to me,

Its yellow and stands near a creek,

Close by an apple tree.



Frau Essigmann, - the landlady

Of ours for seven years,

Loved little cats with fervency.

But had of Ghosts great fear.



It haunted so this lady said,-

Ghosts roam at times my house.

When with my bike I entered late,

So glad to greet my spouse.



Her house held fine antiquities,

From which some guests were barred,

Her needle pointed tapestries

Were done with skill and art.



The lady was selective she

Scanned carefully her guests,

If ignorant of artistry

That graced her walls and chests.



Ah!- needle point, with patterned seam,

Embroidered with yarns of gold,

That modern chaps fail to esteem,

Their mothers are at fault.



Across the meadow one could see

Distinctive an abode,

Which housed a famous family

That sang for men and God.







They featured in a movie soon,

"The Sound of Music" called,

The practiced mornings until noon,

And hearers felt enthralled.



The movie became famous since

Von Trapps sang everywhere,

For paupers, big shots, and some prince,

Cantata, Song and Air.



But I digress,- Frau Essigmann

Loved cats above all else,

And oft adorned them like the cows

With alpine little bells.



She knew all herbs, and wholesome teas,

And was the dowsers' friend,

Knew medicinal roots wherewith

Grave illnesses are banned.



And rows and rows of recipes,

Could on her shelves be found,

Of medicinal herbs and teas,

Fresh dug out from her ground



Of costly incense smelled our house,

Which Mrs. Essigmann splayed well,

And wafts of it and of the cows,

Helped spooks and ghosts dispel.



Lo! with her censer to and fro

Went Mrs. Essigmann,

Who trusted Java incense so

The Poltergeists to ban.



And sprites and ghosts that roamed our house

And other spirits more,

That rivaling with lowing cows

Our crochet curtains tore.







The cows on grasses had their fill

And peacefully lowed Moo!

And then approached our window sill,

And stuck their heads right through.



Moo-moo! was heard in every room,

As they would stomping pass,

Through flower beds, in fullest bloom,

And luscious high grown grass.



Nearby the farm house carrefour,

Young tourists strolled at night

To pick up ghosts and cow manure

And free steaks large and wide.



This house does have a history,

Of which to tell I am loath,

And honoring - hush --secrecy,

I henceforth shut my mouth.







By:Elizabeth Dandy

<






















Some little houses secrets hold


As they in silence stand,


In summer's heat, or winter's cold


The charm of many a land





But some are wrapped in mystery,


Boast charm peculiar,


These houses have a legacy,


You can sense it from afar.





The little house of which I speak


Is special so to me,


It's yellow and stands near a creek,


Close by an apple tree.





Frau Essigmann, - the landlady


Of ours for seven years,


Loved little cats with fervency.


But had of Ghosts great fear.





It's haunted, so this lady said,-


Ghosts roam at times my house,


When with my bike I entered late,


So glad to greet my spouse.





Her house held fine antiquities,


From which some guests were barred,


Her needle pointed tapestries


Were done with skill and art.





The lady was selective she


Scanned carefully her guests,


If ignorant of artistry


That graced her walls and chests.





Ah!- needle point, with patterned seam,


Embroidered with yarns of gold,


That modern chaps fail to esteem,


Their mothers are at fault.





Across the meadow one could see


Distinctive an abode


Which housed a famous family,BR>

That sang for men and God.









They featured in a movie soon,


�The Sound of Music� called,


The practiced mornings until noon,


And hearers felt enthralled.





The movie became famous since


Von Trapps sang everywhere,


For paupers, big shots, and some prince,


Cantata, Song and Air.





But I digress,- Frau Essigmann


Loved cats above all else


And oft adorned them like the cows


With alpine little bells.





She knew all herbs, and wholesome teas,


And was the dowsers� friend,


Knew medicinal roots wherewith


Grave illnesses are banned.





And rows and rows of recipes,


Could on her shelves be found,


Of medicinal herbs and teas,


Fresh dug out from her ground





Of costly incense smelled our house,


Which Mrs. Essigmann splayed well,


And wafts of it and of the cows,


Helped spooks and ghosts dispel.





Lo! with her censer to and fro


Went Mrs. Essigmann,


Who trusted Java incense so


The Poltergeists to ban.





And sprites and ghosts that roamed our house


And other spirits more,


That rivaling with lowing cows


Our crochet curtains tore.









The cows on grasses had their fill


And peacefully lowed Moo!


And then approached our window sill,


And stuck their heads right through.





Moo-moo! was heard in every room,


As they would stomping pass,


Through flower beds, in fullest bloom,


And luscious high grown grass.





Nearby the farm house carrefour,


Young tourists strolled at night


To pick up ghosts and cow manure


And free steaks large and wide.





This house does have a history,


Of which to tell I am loath,


And honoring - hush --secrecy,


I henceforth shut my mouth.






<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<********>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

'Climb every Mountain'.

'Ford every Stream'.

'Follow every Rainbow'.

reach your glorious Dream'



Mrs. Essigmann was a savvy collector of items of art and besides a great herbalist, who knew every herb and plant and the medicinal benefits derived from each.

I myself profited greatly during our stay in this house. Learned the arts of wax mold (negative) carving, Batik (wax transparent painting) for religious banners, oh what wonders! and other arts.



God love Mrs. Essigmann!.



Photos aree lassoed together:

Top tableau right:

1.Aigen/Sazlzburg, with the property of the Trapp Singer family before their move to Vermont, USA.

2. Messrs. Essigmann's House

3. Mrs. Essigmann and her favorite cat



Top Tableau left

1. City of Salzburg

2.Garden Bower and friend



Center Tableau right

1 Johanna Herndl standing on meadow before house,

2.Spouses Herndl - summer guests from the Vienna State Opera



Center Tableau left

1. Elizabeth Dandy and her mother

2. Elizabeth Dandy with her motorbike

returning homeafter work





Bottom Tableau right

1.Interior of Aigen Church

2. Stephen & Elizabeth in Mondsee (Lake District)



Bottom Tableau left

1. Farmer's Daughter graduates

2. Friend Sissy

3. Afternoon Coffe in my brother's garden



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