The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-02-17
THE MYSTERIOUS ORGlslST.
"Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith ghan Norman blood"

"kInd hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith han Norman blood"
Years ago at grand old cathedral over-
ooking the Rhine, there appeared mys-
lerious organist. The great composer who
bad 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
Sa bbath morn, as the sexton entered the
church, he saw a stranger sitting at the
cape-shrouded organ. He was tall, grace
ful man, with pale, but strikinsly hand
some face, great black melancholy eyes,
and hair like The ravens wing for gloss and
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 as,onsh-
ed listner declared the organ seemed 10
have become human-that il walled a1d
and sighed and clamored, as If
through lis pipes When the music al
length ceased, the sexton hasiened 10 the
stranger, and said +:
Pray, who are you, sir =?
Don't ask my name, he replied. have
heard that you are in want OF an organisl
and have come here on trial.
You'll be sure 10 get the place, exclaimed
the sexton. Why, you surpass him that's
dead and gone, sir.
No, TO, you overrate me, responded The
stranger with sad smile and then as if
half disinclined 10 converse, he tsrned from
Old Hans ard began to play agaia. And
now the music changed from sofrowful
strain to grand old pean, aud the mysire-
rious organist-
"Looking forward full of grace,
Played TIL from happy place
Gods glory smole him on the face"
and his countenauce seemed not unlike that
of St. Michsal, 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 star about the church door, and
royal party came sweeping in. Among
ihem might be seen young girl with a
wreath OF golden hair, eye like wild cher
ries, This was the Princess Elizabeth al
eyes turned TO her as she seated herself in
the velvet cushioned pew Appropriated TO
the court. No sooner had the music reach
ed her ears than she started as if a ghos,
had crossed her path. The bloom faded
from cheek, her lips quivered and her whole
frame grew tremulous. At last her eyes
met those ofthe organis,, in long yarnipg
look and then the melody LOST It's Joyous notes
ard once more walled and sighed and
clamered.
BE- my faith, whispered The king to his
daughter, this orgaaist has master hand
Hark ye, he shall play at your weddius
The pale lips of the princess parted, but
she could not speak-she was dumb with
grief Like one in a painful dream she
saw the pale man al the organ, and heard
the melody which filed the edifcs. Aye,
full well she knew who he was and why
the INSTRUMENT seemed breathing ont the
agony OF a tortured heart.
When the service was over and the royal
party had left the cathedral, he stole away
as mys,eriously as he had come. He was
not seen again by the sexton I'LL the ves-
pei hour and commenced his task. While
he played yelled figure glided in and
knelt near a shrine. There she knelt ill
the worshippers dispersed, when the sex
ton touched her on the shoulder and
said
Madam everybody has gone out but you
and me and wish 10 close the door.
am no, ready TO go yel was the reply,
leave me-leave me.
The sexton drew back TO a shady niche
and watched and listened. The mysterious
organisi still kept his post, bnt his head
was bowed upon the instrument, and he
could not see the lone devoiee. At length
she rose form the isle and moving TO the
organ lof:, paused beside the musician.
Bertran she mcrmured.
Quick as thought the organist raised his
head. There with the light OF a lamp sBs
pended to the arch above, falling upon her
stood the princess who had graced the roy
al pew that day. The court dress of velvet,
with It's soft ermiue trimmings the necklace
The bracelet, had been exchanged for a
gay robe and a long thick veil which was
now pushed back from the girlish face
Oh, Elizabeth, Elizabeth calculated the
organist, and he sank at her feet, and gazed
wistfuIly into her troubled eyes.
Why are you here, Beriran asked the
princess.
came hers 10 bid you farewell. and as
dared rot venture into the palace, gain
ed access TO the cathedral, by bfibing the
bell ringer and having taken the vacant
seat OF the dead organis:, lei the music
breathe out the adieu | could not trust my
lips TO utter.
A low moan was he only answer, and he
continued
You are TO be married to- morrow