The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1862-10-17
The Mysterious 0rganist.
A LEGEND OF The RHINE.
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman Blood ="

" Kind hearts more than coronets
And simple faith than Norman Blood"
Years ago, at a grand old cathedral
overlooking the Rhine, there appeared a
mysterious 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 fill his place, when one
bright Sabbath morn as The sexton enter
ell the church, he saw stranger sitting at
the Grape shrouded organ. lie was a tall,
graceful man, with a pale but strikinglg
handsome face, great, black, melancholy
eyes, and hair like the ravens wing for
gloss aud color, sweeping in dark waves
over his shoulders. He did not seem to
notice the sexton, bu: went on playinr.
and snch music a3 he drew from the in
strument no words Of mine can describe.
Tie astonished listeners declared that the
organ seemed to have grown human-that
it walled, and sighed, and camored as if
a tortured human heart were throbbing
through its pipes. When the music again
ceased the sexton FASTENED to the stIan>
ger and said:
'Iray, who are you, SIT z"
Do not ask me my name" lie replied :;
: have heard that you wanted an organ
st, and have come here on trial.
You'll be sure to get place." ex
claimed the sexton. Why y GU surpass
him that's dead aud gone, sir"
No, no, You overrate me-" resumed
the stranger, with a sad smile: and then.
as if dIsinclined to conversation, he turned
from the sexton, and began to play again.
And now the music changed from a sor
rowful strain to grand Old r9an, and the
mysterious organist-
Looking upward full of grace,
Playing till from a h.poy place,
Gods glory smote him on the face"
and his countenance seemed not unlike
that of St. Michael, as portrayed by Guido.
Lost IN the harmonies which swelled
around him, he sat with his far seeing
gaze fixed on the distant sky, glimpse Of
which he caught through an open win
dow, when there was s ir about the
church door, and a royal party came
sweeping in.
Among them might be seen a Young
girl, with a wealth of golden hair, ewes
like the violet hue, and lips like wild cher
ries. This was the Princess Elizabeth :;
and all eyes turned to her, as she seated
herself in the velvet cushioned pew appro
priated to the court. The mysterious or
gahist fixed his gaze upon her and went
on DlaYing. No sooner had the music
reached her ears than she started, as if IA
ghost had crossed her path,
The bloom faded from her cheek, her
lips Qnivered and her whole frame grew
trernu!ous. AT last her eyes met those of
the organist in a long, yearning look, and
then the melody lost joyous notes and
once more walled, and sighed, an | Cam
orel
By my faith" whispered The king to
his daughter, " this organi>t has master
hand. Hank We, he Shall play at your
wedding"
Tl,e pale lips Of the princess parted, but
Size could not speak, she was dumb with
@rlef Like one ID a painful dream, she
saw the pale man AT the organ, and heard
the melody which filed the vast editice.-
Az, full well she knew who he was, and
why the instrument seemed breathing out
! the agony OF tortured heart.
When the service was over, and the
roya party had left The cathedral, he stole
away as mys'eriously as he had come
lie WAS not seen again by tie sexton till
the vesper hour, and th-n lie appeared III
the organ loft, and commenced his task
Willie he played yelled figure glided in
and kneIt near side shrine There she
remained ill the worsErippers disappeared
when the sexton touched her on the shoul
der and said
"Madam, everybody has gone but you
and and wish to close the doors"
/ am not ready to go yet, leave me, -
she replied.
The sexton drew back into shady
niche, and watched and listened. The
mysterious organist still kept lis post, but
his head was bowed on the instrument,
and he could not see the lone devotee.-
At length she rose from the aisle, and
moved to the organ loft, aud paused beside
| the musician.
d" Bertram,' she murmured.
Quick as thought tie Organist raised
bis head. There with the light of lamp
suspended to he arch above falling full
u9ou her, stood the princess who had
graced the royal pew that day. The
court dress Of velvet, with its soft ermine
trimmings, the tiara, the necklace, the
bracelets. had been exchanged for a gray
serge robe and a long thick veil, which
was now pushed back from tie fair girIlsh
| face.
"Oh Elizabeth, Eliz4betb," exclaimed
The organist, and he shruuk to her feet,
and gazed wistfuily into her troubled eyes
Why are you here, Bertram ?" asked
the princess.
! - / came to bid YOU farewell; and as
/ cared not venture into the palace, gain,
ed access to the catt edral by bTibing the
bell ringer, and having taken the vacant
seat OF he dead organist let my music
1 breathe out the adieu could not trust
my lips to utter
A low moan was the only answer, and
/ he continued
lyon are to be married On the NOR.
I row ~
Yes" soobed the girl. "Oh, Ber
;ram, what trial it will be to stand al