Stories of Famous Songs, Vol 1

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FAMOUS SONGS
gardener and farm hand—an occupation he fol-lowed until the hostilities of the terrible civil struggle died down. Then he went to Rich-mond, and ultimately to Baltimore, where, at the age of seventy-five, he found his home, books, and manuscripts, reduced to ashes. About fifteen years ago the people of Balti-more interested themselves in the cause of their poet-citizen, and he was established once more as a teacher of music in that city, in which he resided until he died.
In all the wide range of Crouch's varied career, perhaps the most remarkable—certainly the most touching—of his experiences was re-served for his later years. It seems that a boy named James Marion Roche, born at New Ross, Kilkenny, grew up with the music of " Kathleen Mavourneen" ever on his lips. His love for the song was unspeakable, and, although of a roving disposition, he remained true to that of music. He went to America, joined the navy, and fought, all unconsciously, against the author of his favourite song. In 1883 he visited Balti-more, and learned accidentally that Frederick Nicholls Crouch resided there, finding it a hard task to make both ends meet. Roche's love of " Kathleen Mavourneen" was as great as ever, and his one desire was to aid its composer,
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