Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-20
oGenbsch's Early Days.

OlCnOOCh AtAAAy nUIHs
The New York correspondent of
the Boston Gazette writes: l have
this anecdote from 0ffenbach's own
lips. He tells it admirably. Money
had become more than rare with
him, and one fine morning he woke
up and could not find one cent in
his pocket. A man may on a pinch
go without breakfast, but to have
no dinner on the same day is a hard
fate, especially when one has the
appetite Of the sixteenth year. 1t
need not be said that he thought of
home, of his parents, Of his bro
theirs and sisters he had left at
Cologne. Jacques 0ffenbach did
not, however, indulge in many
lamentations; he knew the future
belongs to men of energy, and that
where there is a will there is a way.
He buried his head in his hands, he
thought,and presently said: "Why,
to-day is Thursday. Mons. K,
who lives in Rue Montmartre, made
me promise to come to dine with
him this afternoon. l shall take
very good care not to be so impolite
as to forget his invitation" He
walked until five o'clock pm, ev-
cry step he took sharpening his
appetite. AT five o'clock pm, he
returned home to dress a little and
take his famous violoncello, tc
which (he did not attempt to dis.
guiss it) he owed the majority Of
his invitations. The cool, balmy
air, the unbroken fast, the active
exercise, had given him an appetite
such an appetite! AS the clock
was striking six 0ffenbach was
ringing the door-bell at Mons.
KS, after having previously
left his violoncello at the janitor't
lodge. The chambermaid answered
1.-THE bell; "Both master and mis-
tr;ess are out" 0ffenbach, shocked
as if q pistol-shot had been fired
close to his ear, exclaimed ''Non.
sense Mons. K himself in.
yited me to come and dine
with him to-day, Thursday
These words were scarcely ou
of Ofenbach's mouth wher
Mons. X appeared, and holding
out both hands to 0ffenbach, said
eyes, my dear friend, you are right
What an excellent memory you
have! This is indeed Thursday
OGenbach exclaimed in a triumph
ant tone, beginning to pull off hi
gloves as he spoke: 'GThat is JUS
what l was telling your servant.
Mons. Z rejoined: "But-w,
don't stand upon ceremony witt
an old friend like you'll must tel
you the truth. We don't dine her
to-day. l have promised my wifi,
to take her to the country to din
ner.p 0ffenbach turned a littl
pale, but he did not show mucl
embarrassment as he stammered
"That's an excellent suggestion!
Mons. x added: "And you'll
return next Thursday to dine wit
us-won't you?-its agreed, ell?
Offenbach gasped: "Why, yes-t
| be sureAto be sure-that suits m
to a T-iust the thing" Mon
TX did not wait for 0ffenbac
to end his praise, but interrupte
him with: "Good-bye. Thursda
is the day; don't forget" Offer
bach put his gloves into shape, an
as he bowed he said: eyes, Thurs
day is the day." Hitherto poo
young 0ffenbach had-may be nc
breakfasted every day-at least nc
gone without dinner-and now h
was menaced with seeing dinner
become rare as breakfasts. Th
most terrible of all was that, bein
> entirely without credit, had he a
lowed the people high in position
whose intercourse he had sough
to suspect that he had fallen
these depths of poverty, he woul
; forever have been ruined maj
Engrossed by these reflection
goaded by an appetite each minu
sharper, 0fenbach recovered COZ
, soioumess only when he reacht
Boulevard des Italiens. He ney
knew how he got there. ~
? restaurants were filed with Gu
? toners. Jacques 0ffenbach, wi
melancholy envy, looked throul