The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1879-04-11


OF all the popular song composers our
country has produced, there is no one bet
ter known than the subject Of this sketch,
Stephen Collins Foster. with whom it was
my pleasure, in some ways sad one it
must be confessed, to become personally
acquainted during the last year Of his brief
existence. 1t was iu the latter part of the
year 1852, and in the city of New YORK,
that saw him for the first time. "I aas
introduced last eight to Foster, the compo.
SER" said friend to me "would you like
to know him ?'' 1t was an opportunity
bad long desired, and accepted the invi-
tation to call upon him. Immediately the
songs had loved from childhood, almost
all associated with Fosters name, bubbled
up from my heart, and murmured in my
ear, and already imagined myself before
the hale, merry old man, with long white
hair, his head bald at the top, and kindly
smile ever on his lips, such as had al
ways pictured him the man for whom
bad long felt sort of reverence.
Talking Of bim and his many melodies.
we walked distance down the Bowery, la
the neighborhood Of the old theatre, and
turned into Hester street. On the north
west corner of Chrystie and Hester was an
old tumble. down grocery, and into this We
entered and passed through to q dingy bar
room at the back OF the store, where, mo-
ment after, / was introduced TO the author
of "The Old Folks at Home" Let me
briefly describe him as he then appeared to
me. A figure slight and \ little below me-
diam stature, attired in well.worp suit |;
his face long and closely shaven, soft brown
eyes, somt VII dimmsd, shaded by rath-
or high forehead, which was dis6gured BY
tho peak OF glazed cap that chung closely
10 his head, scarcely allowing his short
brawu hair to be seen. His appearance was
at once 80 youthful and SO aged that it was
difficult to determine at q casual glapce il
be were twenty-five or fifty. An anxious,
startled expression lowered over his face
that was painful to witnes,.,
Looking at him thus, IL " 9 ha d for me
to believe that, standing before me, was
the then most popular song composer in
the world but It WIS Foster, indeed. He
seemed embarras sssd as girl in the pres
euce of stranger, aud this difidence never
entirely wore of. Whether it was natu-
raj bashfulness or voluntary reserve can
not say but With those who knew him
most intimately he was never familiar. His
conversation made up mostly Of musical
"reminiscences, was always interesting. and
ct bis invitation / frequently thereafter
made an opportunity to visit him. He
lodged generally at sm;li hotel in the
Bowely, but thar small grocery he usually
made his sitting. room, and an exquisite
melody had its birth in that most unconge-
| nial place.
He was not one to haggle about tho price
when selling songs, and it was mot seldom.
in consequence, that q publisher would take
advantage Of this fact, as well - his poy-
erty, paying him q paltry sum for what
other and inferior composers would demand
and receive fair remuneration.
He used often to talk of his earliest ef-
orts, and how he first happened to discover
his power as composer. AT very early
age he had attained, unaided, moderate
proficiency in playing upon the auts, Hage-
olot and piano-forte and. besides this, bis
voice was we'll under control. These quail
Gcatlons made him quite leading spirit 10
| serenadjng expeditions, and ~ the solicita-
zion OF his comrades in these parties be
attempted to write songs for them, which
were 80 successful that they speedily be'
came favorites among them. This fired