Page:Notes of a Pianist.djvu/48

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30
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

which his little feet could not reach. When the mass was finished, the professor took his pupil in his arms, and, going down stairs, presented him to his father, saying: "There is the most beautiful flower of my crown; if this child does not become the greatest musician in the world, sacre Dieu! my name is not Letellier:" and the good man, weeping with emotion, kissed him. The child, impatient to go home, grasped his father's hand, and tried to drag him away. Then running on before, he did not stop until he reached home. "Where is mamma?" he inquired, and, throwing himself into his mother's arms, endeavoured to relate to her his morning's success; but so great was his emotion, that Mr. Gottschalk was obliged to go to his assistance, and to explain what had happened.

Several years passed away. Moreau had attained ten years of age; his talent was so great that there was nothing further difficult for him, so Mr. Letellier candidly acknowledged that he had nothing more to teach him, and the only thing remaining to be done was to send him to France. Mr. Gottschalk, who had always cherished the thought of having his children educated in Europe, was only too happy to have a reason for it, and decided, to the great regret of his wife, that his son should leave New Orleans and go to Paris, when he should attain the age of twelve years.

At this period, the condition of the Théâtre d'Orléans, owing to many circumstances useless to mention, was far from flourishing, and many of the musicians of the orchestra were unemployed. Mr. Miolan, one of the number, came one day to Mr. Gottschalk to request him to permit his son to play at a concert which he was about to give for his own benefit. At this time Mr. Gottschalk, engaged in business as a stock-broker, was led to indulge the hope of an independent fortune for his children, and, never having an idea that any of them would be in the musical profession, he flatly refused. But Mr. Miolan would take no refusal, and returned again to the charge. The second time his petition met with more success, as it was supported by the wish which the little artist had of being heard in public. A select programme was, therefore, placed before the eyes of the Creole and American dilettanti of New Orleans; and in a few days more tickets were sold than the concert