Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-02-12
The Young MUSICIAN and his sick Motber

The following incidents, narrated in the memoir
OF an English Composer, will be read with interests
Little Pierre sat humming by the bedside of his
sick mother. There was no bread in the closet,
and, for the whole day, he had not tasted food
Yet he sat humming to keep up his spirits Still
at times he thought OF bis loneliness and hunger,
and he could scarcely keep the tears from his eyes,
for nc knew nothing would be 50 grateful to his
invalid mother as good sweet orange, and yet he
had not penny in the world The little song he
was singing was his own-one he composed with
air and words ; for the child was genius, and
fervent worshiper at the shrine of music As the
tears would roll down his cheeks, and his voice
would fater at the sad, sad thoughts, he did not
dare to let his mother see but hastily rising hur
ried to the window, and there watched man put
ting up great bill with yellow letters announcing
that Madame NJ, then favorite cantatrice,
would sing that night at the Temple.
"Oh, if l could only gor' thought little Pierrie
and then pausing moment be casped his hands
his eyes lighted with unwonted fire; and running
to the little stand, he smoothed down his yellow
curls, and taking from little box some old stained
paper, gave one eager glance at his mother, who
slept, and ran speedily from the house.
Who did you say is waiting for me," said
Madame M to her servant Al am already
worn out with company"
" 1t is only very pretty little boy with yellow
curls, who says if he can only see you he is sure
you will not be sorry, and he wont keep you
moment"
sob, WELL let him come" said the beautiful sin
ger, with smile; can never refuse children"
Little Pierre came in, his hat under his arm, and
in his hand little roll Of paper. With manliness
unusual for child, he walked straight to Madame
NJ, and bowing, said, al came to F.e you, be-
cause my mother is very sick, and We are too poor
to get food and medicine. / thought that perhaps
if you would only sing my little song at some of
your grand concerts, may be some publisher would
buy it for small sum, and so could get food and
medicine for my mother"
The beautiful woman rose from her seat-very
tall and stately she was she took the little roll
from his hand, and lightly hummed the air. "Did
you compose it ?" she askedi you 3 child And
the words Wonderful little genius Would you
like to come to my concert ?" she asked after few
moments of thought. Oh, yes" and the boys
blue eyes grew liquid with happiness but /
couldn't leave my mother" al will send some
body to take care of your mother for the evening
and here is a crown with which you can get food
and medicine. Here is also one Of my tickets :;
come tonight that will admit you to seat near
me my good little fellow, your mother has treas
ure in you" Almost beside himself with JOY,
Pierre bought some oranges, and many little
luxury besides, and carried them home to the poor
invalid, and telling her. not without tears, of his
good fortune.
Never in his life had Pierre been in such grand
place. The music, cashing and rolling, the my
riad lights, the beauty, the flashing Of diamonds,
and rustling of silks bewildered his eyes and BRAIN
At last she came-and the child sat with his glance
riveted upon her glorious face. Could he believe
that the grand lady, all blazing with jewels, and
whom everybody seemed to worship, would really
sing his little song Breathless he waited; the
band, the whole band struck up little plaintive
melody he knew it, and clapped bis hands for JOY.
And oh, how she sung it 1t was 50 simple so
mournful, 50 soul-subduing-many bright eye
dimmed with tears, and naught could be heard but
tie touching words OF that little song-oh' 80
| touching Pierre walked home as IL ne were
,,ov;no on the air. What cared be for money =
Tbs GREATEST prima donna in all Europe had sung
81. LITTLE song and thousands had wept at his grief
The next day he was frightened at visit from
Madame M. She laid her hand on his yellow
curls and turning to the sick woman said, Your
little boy, Madame, has brought you fortune. 1
was offered this morning, BY one Of the best pub
fishers in London, three hundred pounds for his lit
tie song and after he has realized certain amount
for the SALE little Pierre is to share the profits
Madame thank God your son has gift from
heaven" ,4