Page:Notes of a Pianist.djvu/46

28 never before having seen a carcan, turned his head from the sight with horror, and demanded, to her great mortification, an explanation from Madam, to whom the slave belonged. She endeavoured to make the child understand that the negress had deserved the punishment, and that he need not pity her. Nothing, however, could calm him, and he besought his father to buy Sarah. His father becoming quite embarrassed, Madam took up the matter seriously, and proposed to sell Sarah, who, she said, was only good to mind the chickens. The bargain was completed, and Mr. Gottschalk made the child a present of Sarah, who became a devoted servant to him, and afterwards the child's-nurse to all his after-born brothers and sisters.

His obedience was remarkable, and his affection for his mother amounted almost to idolatry. His father, although kind, was what is called strict, and brought up his little child in the most elevated ideas, and never permitted him the indulgence of any weakness. At three years of age, he engaged in conversation pertaining to a child of seven, and already seemed to understand the extent and importance of the duties which his father placed before him. "When Moreau shall have brothers and sisters," he would say, "papa counts upon his working for them, and he must think beforehand that they will have a father in Moreau." The little child understood all, and seemed in advance to adopt the prospective family which his father at a later period bequeathed to him.

Summer passed, and when autumn came it was decided that the whole family should return to New Orleans. As long as the summer lasted, Madam Gottschalk was sorry at the prospect of quitting so charming a spot, but, when the first approach of winter brought the Indians from the depths of the forest to the neighbourhood of the dwelling, her regrets were lessened, particularly so, as one day, when greatly occupied in making cakes for dessert, her beautiful white arms being exposed, a passing Indian stopped in admiration of her beauty and made an attempt to kiss them. She called for help, and the man of the woods went laughing away.

This incident decided her, and the month of November saw them all again settled in New Orleans.