Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-07-11
MISCELLA ANY.
The Mysterious Organist.
A LEGEND OF THE RHINE.
" Kind hearts are more than coronets,

I" Kind hearts than coronets
And simple faith than Norman blocan
Years ago, at grand old cathedral over
looking the Rhine, there appeared mys,e-
rious organist. The great composer who
had played the organ SO long had suddenly
died, and everybody, from the king to the
peasant, was wondering who could be found
to ill his place, when, one bright Sabbath
morn, as the sexton entered the church, he
saw stranger sitting at the -shroud-
ed organ. He was tall, graceful man, with,
a pale but strikingly handsome face, great
black, melancholy eyes, and hair like the
ravens wing tor gloss and color, sweeping
in dark waves over his shoulders. He did
not seem to notice the sexton, but went on
playing, and such music as he drew from the
instrument no words of mine can describe
The astonished listener declared that the
crgan seemed TO have grown human--that
It walled and sighed, and clamored, as if a
tortured human heart were throbbing
through its pipes. When the music at length
ceased, the sexton hastened to the stranger
and said:
Pray, who are you, sir Z"
" Do not ask my name," he replied. 81
have heard that you are in want of an or
ganist, and have come here on trial."
"You'll be sure to get the place" ex-
claimed the sexton. "WRy, you surpass
him that's dead and gone, sir~
"No, nos you overrate me" resumed the
stranger, with sad smile; and then, as if
disinclined to conversation, he turned from
old Hans, and began to play again. And
now the music changed from sorrowfnl
strain to grand old pecan, and the myste-
rious organist
Looking upward full Of grace,
Prayed til from hspey piace
Gods glory smote him on the face
and his coun,enauce seemed not unlike that
'of St. Michael, as portrayed by Guido.
Lost in the harmonies which swelled a.
round him, he sat with his "far-seeing"' gaze
fixed en- the distant sky, glimpse Of which
he caught through an open window, when
there was stir about the church door, and
a royal party came sweeping in. Among
them might be seen young girl, with a
wealth of golden hair, eyes like the violet
hue, and lips like wild cherries. This was
the Princess Elizabeth; and alleges turn-
ed to her, as she seated herself IN the vel
vet cushioned pew appropriated to the court.
The mysterious organist Fixed his gaze up
on her and went on playing. No sooner had
the music reached her ears, than she started,
Ms if a ghost had crossed her path. The
bloom faded from her cheek, her lips quiver-
ed, and her whole frame grew tremulous.
At last her eyes met those of the organist,
In long, yearning look, and then the melo-
dy lost its joyous notes and once rnore wall
ed, and sighed, and cismored.
!. By my faith" whispered the king to his
daughter, "lhis orgaiiist has master hand
Hark ye, he shall play at your weddingF'
The pale lips of the princess parted, but
fshe could not speak-she was dumb with
grief. Like one in a painful dream, she
saw the pale man at the organ, and heard
the melody which filed the vast edifce. Ay,
| full well she knew who he was, and why
the instrument seemed breathing out the ag-
ony Of a tortured heart.
When the service was over, and the roy
al party had left the cathedral, he stole a
way as mysteriously as he had come. He
was not seen again by the sexton till the
vesper hoar, and then Ire appeared in the
organ loft, and commenced his task. While
be played, veiled figure glidea in, and
knelt near side shrine. There she re-
thaned till the worshppers dispersed, when
the sexton touched her on the shoulder and
said:
@Madau,, everybody has gone but you
and me, and I wish to close the doors"
81 am not ready to go yet" was the re-
ply ssleave me-leave me!
The sexton drew back into shady niche,
and watched and listened. The mysterious
organist still kept his post, but his head was
bowed upon the instrument, and he could
not see the lone devotee. AT length she
rose from the aisle, and moving to the or
ganloft, paused beside the musician.
I
Bertram," she murmured.
Quick as thought the organist raised his
head. There, with the light of lamp sus-
pended to the arch above falling full upon
her, stood the princess who had graced the
royal pew that day. The court dress oi
velvet, with its soft ermine trimmings, the
tiara, the necklace, the bracelets, had been
exchanged for gray serge robe and long
thick veil, which was now pushed back from
the fair girilish face.
sOhl Elizabeth, Elizabeth )" exclaimed
the organist, and he sunk at her feet, and
gazed wistfully into her troubled eyes.
"Why are you here, Bertram ?" asked
the princess.
al came to bid you farewell; and as
dared not venture into the palace, / gained
access to the cathedral by bribing the bell
! .or-nr ha vacant seat al