The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-26

The young man married and the old
one disinherited him, turned his
back on him, went off to Mex.
leo, and the two never net again.
Joese was now alone and without
money, for a share in his moth
er's fortune, which had been Left him
in bank Of Cadiz, Spain, had been
10 by the failure OF the bank. But
he hung out in Louisville his Single
as "Maitre de Musique" and got plenty
OF pupils. In 1927 he moved to Gin
cinnati, and here for nearly sixty years
he has lived. In q month he had
thirtv-two scholars, led the choir at
st. Xavier's Church on Sunday and
the orchestra at the only theater in
the city ON week days. He was the
only professor Of music in the place;
the nearest approach to il was Sing
ing MASTER" who was q carpenter in
the daytime and made q heroic but
futile attempt at teaching singing after
"early candle lighting" Tosso soon
became leader in society. He knew
everybody, and was veleo ne every
where. When the beaux Of that day
wanted fine ball To:so was invariably
both master Of arrangements and lead
er OF the music. As leader OF the or
chestra he knew all the actors and
actresses, who were in turn delighted
with his Incompatible playing. For.
rest was one of his earliest and
siauchest friends, and never came to
Cincinnati without paying him a
long aud cord al visit. To him Totso
dedicated one of his best pieces
Of music, 1.-The Gray Old Syca.
more" much to the tragedian's
delight. Tosso knew Mrs. Trol-
lope when she lived here and made
her unfortunate investment in Cincin-
natl real estate. he was, in a social
way, one OF the most prominent citi-
zens of the place. When Lafayette
came here he was 10 delighted with the
music aud the manners Of the young
Italian that he appointed him an aid
de.camp, and in that capacity Tosso
accom- panied him for some time. Lex
ington gave great ball TO the Marquis,
at which, by special request of Gen.
Leslie Combs, Toeso took the first
violin and gave the dancers such
music as they never before or never
again kept time to. When Lafayette
arrived here he was carried across the
river in a yawl, and a broad breadth
OF carpet was laid from the landing 10
the top Of the bank and to the door of
the Spencer House, where he was to
stop. But Lafayette put 1t aside, say
ing: "No, gentlemen, the soil of Amer
lea is good enough for me TO walk on !"
To'so wss the pioneer Of music in
this section. He not only taught it at
Cincinnati, but he composed many
pieces that were famous in their day,
such ss "The Arkansas Traveller" q
piece which is more widely known,
perhaps, thsn any other by him, hu'
one which he is very anxious should
not be lid as the measure OF his merit
Since he has been i'll he received a
message from atpeculator in Arkan-
fa9, who wanted to know the exact
place where
JOE ANDERSON, THE ARKANSAS SETTLER,
lived, that he might buy it.
The siory-for there is quite as much
in the dialogue as in the music-is a
true one, just as it happened TO Tosso
on one Of his journeys through the
then wild Southwest and is that OF a
traveller, who found John Anderson in
his cabin door playing the first Part OF
an cir he had just picked up, aud 80
absorbed that he refused hospitality
from the rain, making the most indie
pendent replies to the travellers re-
quests, till the latter asked for his fid-
die aud played the whole of the air,
whert upon John Anderson's deme an
or changed to the most ELUSIVE pioffers
of hospitality to both man and horse.
To htar Tosso recite the story,
accompanied by his violin, to
watch his kindling eye and liste n
to his infectious chuckle at the turn
ing point, has delighted tens OF
thousands and never fails to bring
upIoarious applause. :. FortEa genera
ton Tosso has been one OF the "pic-
neers" OF Cincinnati, and seldom
missed attending their annual meet
ing in April, always with his violin
and always with the Arkansas Trav-
eler." "Pioneer Day" is very near
now, but Tosso has already attended
for the last time.
Tcsso has lived here ever since he
came here from Louisville in 1927,
though mostly his home has been
across the river, sn1 until very latt ly
in cottage near beautiful Lstonia
Springs, back of Covington. As has
been said, Tosso was the pioneer Of
mutic in the Ohio Valley, and his
name for fifty years was always con-
neCted with every musical ente prise
of note here or in this section, though
for twenty years the public hasknown
but little about him, because his age
did not permit the former activity. He
was perhaps the Fl rst Of American vic.
liniets, and
THE GREATEST OF THEM ALL.
Had he cared to push himself for that
end, he would have become as widely
known as Ole Bull, not alone in Amer
lea, but in EuIops as well. He was a
perfect master, not only of the violin,
but Of every other instrument. His
musical compositions have been very
Luhuy, Uut lOW comparatively have
been published, because he seemed to
care SO little fer the making Of money.
He has great many stored away,
which his daughter hopes to publish
in time as vindication of her fathers
genius and fame. For years he has
not been able TO see a note, but he has
played all the new airs Of opera by
ear, and kept fully apace Of modern
progress and modern thought. Al
though a great-grandfather, he is the
most charming of companions for
young people, whom he loves dearly,
aud is never go pleased as when he
can be surrounded with house full
of young people, himself the merriest
of the 3rty. The children he knew
will be the sincerest mourners over
TOsso's grave.
Use Of Tobacco I'm RefOrmatOFies.
BosToN, MASS, March 22.-The Off
cial crusade against the use of tobacco