Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-08-31
THE MYsFERIOUs ORGANIsr.
a LEGEND OF THE RHINE.
"Kind hearts are more than corone's,
And simple faith than Norman hIood -

@Hu 5iHPiS ioAu VIAL NOTuhQ DlOOQ.'
Years ago, at grand old cathedral over.
looking the Rhine, there appeared mysterious
organist The great composer, who had play-
cd the organ 60 long had recently died, and
everybody, from the king to the peasant, was
wondering who could be found to fll bis place.
when one bright Sabbath morn, as the sexton
entered the church, he saw q stranger sitting az
the crape-shrouded organ. He was q tall grace.
ful man, with pale but strikingly handsome
face, great, black, melancholy eyes, and hair
like the ravens wing for gloss and color, sweep,
ing In dark waves over his shoulders. He did
not seem to notice the sexton, but went on play.
ing, and such music as he drew from the instru-
ment no words of mine can describe. The
astonished listener declared that the organ
seemed to have grown human-that IL walled
and sighed, and clamored as If tortured hu-
man heart we're throbbing through its pipes
When the music at length ceased, the sexton
hastened to the stranger and said:
"Pray who are you, siri"
"Don't ask my nsme," he replied ~ have
heard that you are in want Of an organist, and
have come here on trial."
"You will be sure to get the place." exclaIm.
ed the sexton. "Why, you surpass him that's
dead and gone, sir"
"No, no, you overrate me-" resumed the
stranger, with sad smile; and then, as If dis
inclined to conversation, be turned from old
Hans, and began to play again. And now the
music changed from q sOrroWful strain to a
grand old pein, and the mysterious organst-
NLooting upward full OF grace.
Prayed TIL from happy place
Gods Glory Smote him on the faoe,"
and his countenance seemed not unlike that Of
st. Michal as portrayed by Guido.
Inst in tho hnrmnnina ~ hinh nuailad nrnr .,
him, h0 sat with his far-sseing gaze axed on
the distant sky, glimpse of which he caught
through an open window, when there was stir
about the church door, and o royal party came
sweeping In. Among them might be seen Q
young girl with wealth of golden hair, eyes
like the violet's hue, aud lips like wild cherries.
This was the princess Elizabeth; and oil eyes
turned to her ss she seated herself in the vel
vet-cushloned pew Appropriated to the court
The mysterious organist fixed his gaze upon
her and went on playing. No sooner had the
music reached her ears than she started, 90 if
ghost had crossed her path. The bloom fad
ed on her cheek, her lips quivered, and her
whole frame grew tremulous. At last her eyes
met those of the organist, in q long, yearning
look, and then the melody lost its joyous notes
and once more walled, and sighed, and clamor.
ed.
"By my faith" whispered the king to his
daughter 'S"this oTganist has q master hand.-
Hark ye, he shall play at your wedding"
The pale lips of the princess parted, but she
could not speak-she was dumb with grief
Like one In painful dream, she saw the pale
man at the organ, and heard the melody which
filled the vast edifce Aye, full we'll she knew
who he was, and why the instrument seemed
breathing out the agony of tortured heart.
When the service was over, and the royal
party had left the cathedral, he stole away as
mysteriously 90 he had come. he was not
seen again by the sexton till the vesper hour,
commenced his task. As be played, veiled
figure gIided in, and knelt near side shrine.
There she remained till the worshippers disap-
peared, when the sexton touched her on the
shoulder and ssid
"Madsm, everybody has gone but you and
me, and wish to close the DOORS"
81 am not ready to 60 yet," was the reply,
"leave me-leave mel" -
The sexton drew back into shady niche, and
watched and listened. The mysterious organ
lst still kept his post, but his head was bowed
upon the instrument, and he could not see the
lone devotee. AT length she arose from the
aisle, and, moving to the organ loft, paused
beside the organist.
"Bertram," she murmuEed
Quick as thought the organlst raised his
head. There, with the light of lamp sus-
pended to the arch above, falling full upon her,
stood the princess who had that day graced the
royal pew. The velvet court dress, with it,
soft ermine trim mings, the tisrs, the necklace,
the bracelets, had been exchanged for gray
serge robe, and long thick veil, which was
now pushed back from the fair glrlish face.
"0h, Elisabeth! Elizabeth" exclaimed the
orgaEist, ami he sunk at her feet, and gazed
wistfully into her troubled eyes.
"Why are you here, Bertram2" asked the
princess.
~ came to bid you farewell, and as dared
the cathedral by bribing the belI.riDger, and
having taken the vacant seat Of the dead organ.
let, let my music breathe out the adisu could
not trust my lips to utter"
A low moan was the only answer, and be
continued:
"You are to be married on the morrow
"Yes," sobbed the girl, "and oh, Bertram,
what q trial 1t will be to stand at yonder altar
and take upon me the VOWS which will doom
mo to living death"'
"Think of me-" rejoined the organist.--
"Your royal father has requested me to play at
your wedding, and have promised to be here.
If were your equal, could be the bridegroom
instead of the organist; but poor musician
must give you up."
"It is like rending soul and body assunder, "a
part with you," said the girl. "To-night j
may tell you thia--tell you how fondly love
you, but in few hours twill be q sin! Go
20, and God bless you"
She waved him from her, as II che vo'(
banish him while she had power to do 90, ant
ha--hoR was It With himf He rnaa IA -.