Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-08-29
A PATRIOTIC PIANIST.
an Incident of GottschaIk's First Appear
anoe in Canada.


twenty-five years ago. He was OF
French descent, and as French was the
language of his childhood, he spoke
English with an accent which often
caused strangers to mistake him for
foreigner. But he was as thorough an
American rs ever breathed and was
conspicuously faithful to his country at
a time when most men of southern birth
acknowledged no obligation of loyalty,
and sought to destroy the great republic
by establishing a separate nation for
themselves
His life, like that of many distin.
guished musicians was passed chiefly
in travelling about the world and giving
concerts. His popularity was remark
able, not only on account of his artistic
gifts, but also because of his varied per-
sonal attractions. The charm of his
manner and his refined courtesy won
him hosts of friends in every place
which he visited. But with all his gen.
tleness of demeanor he had an abun-
dance of manly spirit, as those who pre-
sumed upon his natural amiability were
sure to learn.
In 1862 when the war of secession
was at it's height, his public engage
ments carried him to Canada, where he
was less known than in his own land.
His first appearance was in large city,
the inhabitants of which had been in
formed that he came from New Orleans,
but were wholly unaware of his strong
feeling against slavery or his earnest
devotion to the Union. Our Canadian
neighbors were not, as rule, we'll dis
posed to the Northern cause. Their
sympathy was with the states in revolt,
and they were not backward in pro-
claiming the fact The advent of the
famous young southerner seemed to
afford them an unusually fine oppor
tunity of avowing their sentiments.
Taking it for granted, without in
quiry, that he stood with the peo-
pie of his state and section" they
made up their minds to pay him what
they considered a very pretty compli-
ment, and at the same time to indulge
themselves with lively demonstration
of their fondness for the Confederacy.
The concert was attended by an i'm
mense audience, and Gottschalk was
greeted with an ardor which somewhat
surprised him. He had no suspicion
that he was regarded as a representative
of the rebellion, and it was not until
|
occurred to enlighten him. AS he came
forward for the last time, a loud call for
"Dixic" went up from the multitude.
He looked about in amazement, not I'M
Outstanding at first the meaning of the
cry. While he stood irresolute, the de-
mand was loudly repeated, and followed
by wild chorus of reclamation for Sc
cessionists in general Presently di-
version was made in favor of ''My
Maryland" one party clamoring for
that stately air, while another contin-
ued to shout for the more lively ditty
1t was trying position for the pianist
He believed that refusal would give
intense irritation at the moment, and
would probably endanger his entire
tour through the British province. The
hayward public is prodigal of bounty
and caresses so long as its caprices are
humored, but at the least sign of oppo-
sition it is liable to turn upon it's idols
and rend them. 1t is no trifing under
taking for one man to defy the will of
this excited throng. Yet his resolve
was taken without an instants hesita-
ton. Though he felt by his own act
he would bring his tour to an ignomin-
ious end, he saw but one course open to
him He waited till the uproar subsid-
ed, and bowling tremendously, seated
himself at his instrument. For a brief
interval all was silence; then his hands
fell upon the keys; but neither Dixie
nor MY Maryland' came in response
to his touch. "Hail Columbia was the
strain that resounded through the hall,
and fell upon the ears of the astonished
| Canadians.
The tumult that Immediately ensued
deadened the sound of the music, and
the performer desisted, from his labor.
Imagining that he was terrified into
submission, the audience signified a
willingness to give him another chance
There was lull in the storm, and
Gottschalk, after bowling as formally as
before, turned once more to his task
This time he chose Yankee Doodle, -
which was no sooner recognized than a
fresh outburst of disapprobation made
his efforts again inaudible.
cit did not matter to me- he said, re-
lating the story afterward II was de
termined to stay there all night if nee
essary-unless 1 was dragged from the
platform-and give them an unmistak
able Union melody as often as l could
get hearing. The only thing thai
worried me was that we had no national
song worthy of the name 1 could not
use The Star-Spangled Banner which
is capital tune, because the music is
not American. But though my material
was not first-class, l tried to make ur
for that by good playing. After while
the people grew tired of raging at me
and then they heard me at my best
my very best, assure you"
"And how did it end?" the pianist
was asked.
go, very unexpectedly, and most hap
PLY. They had kept ominously still a
long time, and l was wondering what
mischief was in store, when a man with
a big heavy voice suddenly broke Out
laughing. That settled everything. II
less than a minute the whole audience
was laughing, too, in the pleasantest
possible humor They began to cheer
me as if l had done nothing but what
they wanted, and l suppose my indie
3 | A. -