Page:Notes of a Pianist.djvu/53

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GOTTSCHALK AND SOLDIER.
35

soldier's face was so honest and he seemed so to enjoy the fruit, meats, and other things through the glass, that Gottschalk turned round and spoke to him. The youth started, blushed, and taking off his cap kept turning it round and round in his fingers. "No, indeed, I do not joke," replied Gottschalk, "when I ask you if you should like to go inside and take dinner there." "But, Monsieur, who is to pay for it?" "I, of course," answered Gottschalk. "O Monsieur!" was all the soldier could say. They went in; by Gottschalk's order the bill of fare was handed to the soldier. He kept reading it, but now that he had his choice he could not make up his mind, and at last with a deep sigh he said, "I cannot choose, Monsieur." Gottschalk, laughing, called the waiter and ordered a dinner, such as, more than likely, the son of Mars had never eaten, and never did eat in aftertimes. On his return home Gottschalk told it to his family, and said he was touched to tears to see with what avidity the poor lad ate and how grateful he was for such a treat.




CHAPTER IV.


The health of his mother having become delicate, owing to her grief arising from long separation from her much loved son, it was arranged that she should go to Paris with her other children, who would thus also have the benefit of a Parisian education. This resolution was speedily carried out, and the family soon found themselves in Paris. The reunion of mother and son was very affecting. From this moment Moreau became the sole protector of his mother and the younger children, his father, whose business detained him in New Orleans, having confided to him the care of the family.

The great success Gottschalk met with at Sedan induced him to give another concert at the Salle Pleyel. The audience was equally distinguished as the first, and the