The weekly Butte record., 1862-11-01

Years ago, at grand old cathedral over
locking the Rhine, there appeared mysterious
organist- The great composer who had played
the organ so long, had suddenly died, and eve
rybody, from the king to the peasant, was
wondering who could be found to fill his place,
when one bright Sabbath morn, IS the sexton
entered the church, lie saw stranger sitting
at the crape-shrouded organ. He was a tall,
graceful man, with a pale but strikingly hand
some face, great. black, melancholy eyes, and
hair Ike the raven wing for gloss AID color,
sweeping in dark waves over his shoulders.
tie did not seem 10 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 organ
seemed to have grown human-that II walled
and sighed and clamored, as if tortured hu-
man heart were throbbing through its pipes.
When the music again ceased, the sexton has
tened TO the stranger and said;
Pray who are you, sir -
DO not ask my name" he replied Il
have heard that you were in want of an organ
ist. and have come here on trial"
You'll be sure to get the place" exclaimed
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, he turned from old
Hans, and began to play again. And now
the music changed from q sorrowful strain to
grand old p9n, and the mysterious organist-
Looking upward full of grace,
Played till from a happy 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 window when there
was stir about the church door, and a royal
party came sweeping in. Among them might
be seen young girl, with wreath of golden
hair, eyes like the violet hue and lips like wild
NhNAlANS' MS was IluGNSS I1iiAiUGlu
and all eyes turned to her, as she seated herself
in the velvet cushioned pew appropriated to
the court. The mysterious organist fixed his
gaze upon her and went on playing. No soon
er had the music reached her ears than she
started, as if a ghost had crossed her path.
The bloom faded from her cheek, her lips qui.
vered, and her whole frame was tremulous At
last her eyes met those of the organist, in a
long, yearning look, and then the melody lost
its joyous notes and once more walled, and
sighed, and clamored.
BY my faith, whispered the king to his
daughter, this organist has a 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
filed the vast ediice
When the royal service was over, and the
party had left the cathedral, he stole away rs
mysteriously as he had come He was nos
StNu " t4IC SCAtOu tlil tuC NC>ptT uOuI.
and then he appeared in the organ loft and
commenced bis task. While he played veil
ed figure glided in, and knelt near side shrine
There she remained until the worshippers dis
persed, when the sexton touched her on the
shoulder and said:
Madam, everybody has gone, but you and
nj 7 rr;sL oIo-o +,o 1oor-
l am not ready to go yet, was the reply
" leave 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 on the instrument, and he could not see
the lone devotee. At length she rose from the
aisle, and moving to the organ loft paused be-
side the musician.
Bertram," she murmured.
Quick as thought the organist raised his
head. There with the light of q lamp suspen-
ded to the arch above falling full upon her.
stood the princess who had graced the royal
pew that day. The court dress Of velvet, with
ito suit SllHiuS Niliilti4uSe Tue tdEd- Tue BECK
lace, the bracelets, had been exchanged for
gray surge robe and long, thick veil, which
was now pushed back from the fair girlish
face.
Oh Elizabeth, Elizabeth - exclaimed the
organist. and be sunk at her feet, and gazed
wistfully into her troubled eyes.
Why are here, Bertram ?" asked the prin-
cess.
4 came TO bid you farewell and as I da-
red not venture into the palace, I gained access
to the cathedral by bribing the bell-ringer,
and having taken the vacant seat of the dead
organist let my music breath out the adieu l
could not trust my lips 10 utter"
\ low moan was the only answer and he
continued.
You are to be married on the morrow ?"
.. YaS - sohhed the Girl ooh Part-o,,