Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1891-08-28
APntriotic I,innlst.

still quite young, about 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 a for
eigner. But he was as thorough an Amer-
can as ever breathed, and was conspicuous
ly faithful to his country at a time when
most men of Southern birth acknowledged
no obligation of loyalty. and sought to de-
stroy the great republic by establishing a
separate nation for themselves.
His life, like that of many distinguished
musicians, was passed chiefly in travelling
about the world and giving concerts. His
popularity was remarkable. not only on ac-
count of his artistic gifts, but also because
of his varied personal attractions. The
charm of his manner and his refined cour-
| tesy won him host of friends i'm every
place which he visited. But with all his
gentleness of demeanor, he had an album
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 its height, his public engagements car
ried him to Canada, where he was less
| known than in his own land. His first APP
pearance was in large city, the inhabi-
| tants of which had been informed that he
| came from New Orleans, but We're wholly
| unaware of his strong feeling against slav-
cry or his earnest devotion to the Union.
! Our Canadian neighbors were not. as
| rule, well disposed to the Northern cause.
| Their sympathy was with the states in re-
volt and they were not backward in pro-
claiming the fact. The advent of the ia
nous young Southerner seemed to afford
them an unusually fine opportunity of
avOwing their sentiments. Taking it for
granted, without inquiry, that he stood
with the people of his state and section
| they made up their minds to pay him what
they considered very pretty compliment,
and at the same time to indulge themselves
with a lively demonstration of their fond
ness for the Confederacy.
The concert was attended by an immense
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 the end of the evening that
anything occurred to enlighten him. As he
came forward for the last time, loud call
| for Dixie went up from the multitude.
He looked about in amazement, not under
| standing at first the meaning of the cry.
| While he stood irTesOlute, the demand was
loudly repeated, and followed by a wild
chorus of reclamation for secessionists in
general. Presently a diversion was made
in favor of MY Maryland one party
clamoring for that stately air, while anoth-
er continued to shout for the more lively
ditty.
1t was a trying position for the pianist
| He believed that a refusal would give in
tense irritation at the moment, and would
probably endanger his entire tour through
the British province. The hayward pub
lie is prodigal of bounty and carresses so
long as its caprices are humored, but at the
least sign of opposition it is liable to turn
upon its idols and rend them. 1t was no
tritiing undertaking for one man to defy
the will of this excited throng. Yet his
resolve was taken without an instant's hes
itatiOn. Though he felt by his own act he
would bring his tour to an ignOminiOus
end, he saw but one course open to him.
He waited till the uproar subsidized, and
bowling tremendously, seated himself at
his instrument. For brief interval all
was silence; then his hands fell upon the
keys; but neither Dixie nor my Mary
land came in response to his touch
Hail Columbia" was the strain that re-
sounded 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. Imag-
lining that he was terrified into submission.
the audience signified a willingness to give
him another chance. There was a lull in
the storm, and Gottschalk, after bowling as
formally as before, turned once more to his
task. This time he chose ''Yankee Doc
de" which was no sooner recognized than
a fresh Outburst of disapprobaton made
his efforts again inaudible.
sit did not matter to me- he said. relat-
ing the story afterward. Il was determin-
ed to stay there all night If necessary-un-
less | was dragged from the platform-and
give them an unmistakabe Union melody
as often as | could get a hearing. The only
thing that worried me was that we had no
national song worthy of the name. | could
not use The Star Spangled Banner which
is capital time, because the music is not
American. But though my material was
not tirst-class, | tried to make up for that
by good playing. After a while the people
grew tired of raging at me, and then they
heard me at my best my very best, as
sure YOU
"And how did it end?" the pianist was
asked
"Oh, very unexpectedly, and most happi-
ly. They had kept ominously still long
time, and | was wondering what mischief
was in store, when man with a big heavy
voice suddenly broke out laughing. That
settled everything. In less than a minute
the whole audience was laughing, too, in
the pleasantest possible humor. They be-
gan TO cheer me as if | had done nothing
but what they wanted, and l suppose my
independence made them think better of
me than if l had yielded. From that
night | was treated in the most friendly
way. While | remained in Canada there
was no indication that had given offence
by my obstinacy, and pretty soon | found
that l was expected to introduce some spec
linens of genuine Yankee minstrelsy at
every concert, whether the program prom
ised them or not. l never objected. of
course; but it made me wretched that the
country belonged to had no other rallying
songs than few bits of cheap jig music.
If live long enough, l must try my own
hand at producing national anthem -
He did not live long enough; and it is
strange to reflect that this brilliant artist,
who from the age of fourteen until his
early death enjoyed a renown beyond that
of any other American virtuosO, is now al
most forgotten by the public A quarter
Of a century ago he was unrivalled in his
vocation, and the first of social favortes
Wherever he went he endeared himself