Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1859-11-18
BERrHALDE REIMER's VOICE.
FROM "HoUsEHoLp WORDS. T"
[Concluded.1

-Four years passed /; and, on q bright
clear summers morning in the old tow
there was great hustle and preparation. Th
Elector CT Saxony was that day to pas
through it and had signifed his intention
before partaking Of a banquet prepared 70
him in the Town Hall by the chief burgo
masters-te be present at solemn servic
in the principal church. 1t was the frs
time for many years that the town had BEEF
so honored.
As the hour drew near the people focked
from all parts towards the church, and be
fore the EIector himself had arrived, dense
crowd filled every corner, and low cease
less murmur of many voices broke the 81
lence of the echolg aisles. The sunlight
streamed across the choir !; and from more
than one painted window the rainbow tints
again were falling on the ground, and in the
far recesses where no sunlight ever care. In
the dim cbancels, which never but on occa.
one or two stray wanderers, long lines OF
lamps were hung, each shedding for little
way around faint, pale light, and shining
on the eager faces, which, grouped below,
were all expectanty turned in one direction
At last lie came. There was loud buzz
of voices and, mingling with the full swell
of the Hallclujah chorus which broke forth
grandly and solemuly, there came in the
same moment a tramp Of feet along the mar
BILE pavement of the nave. The Eector
crossed the church, and took the seat as
signed to him near the high altar.
The mass began, and the united voices OF
the choir broke forth together in the open
ing Ayris, in purest and most perfect har-
mony but when the solemn and exquisite
solo, EFT inearnatus, swept through the
church, rising and falling as the acconpani-
ment of organ and chorus rose and fell-the
full, rich, fresh voice which gave it forth
with the passionate fcrvor of an inspired
devotion was greeted with an involuntary
murmur of admiration from the Electors
lips, which was caught up and echoed by
those standing near, spreading over the whole
assembled people.
TIE mass was over, and the priests had
left the altar but the Elector still remain
ed, speaking to one or two of those around
him, and presently it was whispered through
the church that he in person would inspect
the choir for he was an amateur of music
In a few minutes he was conducted up the
narrow staircase that led 10 the organ-lolt
The visit was so unexpected aud unprepared
for that the Kapel-mester had scarcely re-
ceived notice, from a hurried messenger, of
the Electors approach, when he entered
with two or three OF his suite
Herr Kapell-meister | have come to
take glance at your little territory here
Your choir does you much credit"
You have good materials to work upon,"
tlls Electnr- continued. il the tore Of a con-
noisseur "good voices, and good instrn-
ment = and, sending an excuse to the civic
authorities tor little delay, addcd,
81 would gladly listen to q little supple
ncntary performance"
The Master took his seat and, at sign
from him, beautiful dark-eycd girl moved
from the little group and, blushing deeply
as the ELI ctor's eye fell full upon her, stood
by the Kapell-n,eister's side.
"Ay, that must DE she,' thought the Elec-
tor, who was connoisseur no less in beauty
than i'll music. But he had been over-conf-
dent. In another moment he found that
his sweet songstress was still to seek, for the
voice of the dark-eyed girl was contralto.
"Very good-very good, indeed ! fine
voice, and well-traiued," approyingly muir
INJURED the Elector. "This young lady is
your best contralto singer, presume :"
"She is. Perhaps your highness might
wish to judge of our soprano :"
"By all MEANS" the Elector answered
heartily.
The Kapcl!-meistcr paused for moment !;
and, glauting over his choir, as if in doubt
whom to select, lie came to a sudden dccis-
ion and bcckoned to Margaret. She came
half unwiIHngly to his side and, STOPPING
down, spoke something to him in IL low voice.
Yes, presently" he answere aloud, with
smile and, pointing to the music that
lay OH the desk before him, he began to play.
1t was an air from Pcrgolesi's Calvary that
he had chosen.
Very beautiful-very beautiful, indeed p
cried the Elector. but she was not the
singer of the lmcarmatus 2"
Your highness may be interested in
knowing" said the Kapellmeister, "that
the best soprano singer in TIE choir is bliud
girl" Berthalde was called.
"Why she is a mere child p exclaimed
the Elector.
She is older than she appears" said the
master, playing the open bars of the In ar
mdtus.
The Elcctor rose, and stood with his eyes
fixed upon The pale, rapt face which, raised
seemed receiving Inspiration.
When she ceased, the Elector remarked
Herr Kapell-meister, your blind girl is
On angel Where did you find her ?-hon
have you taught her ?-what do you say u
her name !" and CHANGING FROM the MISTER
to Berthalde, he listened eagerly to'the an,
swers that were given to his questions
Yes, yes--very good--very good" he NUT
tered to himself, as if bordering some pro-
ject in his mind. II would gladly hear one
other piece. I will choose something fol
myself" and. reaching acress to the Master
he began to turn over the pages of the mass
that still lay open on the desk. He stopped
at her own favorite Agmus Del, and at bis
request she sang it. Her cheek was tinged
with faint glow of color now she seemed
to the Hector wonderfully beautiful. HI
gazed hsrand listened in keep silence
When she csssed to sing he drew lone
hrooth Than ho f,,rnarl frnr, hnv a.,