Page:Anecdotes of Great Musicians.djvu/247

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An enthusiastic Missouri gentleman once showed his admiration of Patti in a way which doubtless aroused much envy in the breast of many a younger man. Here is Patti's account of the affair: "I had just finished singing 'Home, Sweet Home,' when a nice-looking old gentleman, who introduced himself as Governor Crittenden, began congratulating me. All of a sudden he put his arms around me and kissed me, saying, 'Madame Patti, I may never see you again, but I cannot help it,' and before I knew it he was kissing me. When a gentleman, and such a nice old gentleman, too, and a Governor of a great State, kisses one so quick that one has no time to object, what can one do?"

At the time this took place there was great rivalry between Mmes. Gerster and Patti, and a good deal of warm feeling was engendered on the part of each songstress, Patti going so far as to declare that Gerster was possessed of the "evil eye." Patti laid all her misfortunes at Gerster's door. When they were in San Francisco a slight earthquake took place. Patti crossed herself and ejaculated, "Gerster!"

Well, Gerster was interviewed on this Patti kiss. She told the reporter she saw no occasion for so much comment about a slight matter like that.

"What! you don't?" said the astonished scribe.

"Certainly not; there is nothing wrong in a man kissing a woman old enough to be his mother!"  

The fact that several of the more celebrated composers have died when in their prime, or in some cases even before they had reached their best years, has produced an opinion in the minds of some who have not scanned musical biography very closely, that the 