Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-06-01
4 pleasant Gittle 6torp.
THE MYSTERIOUS ORG ANIsT.
Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood.

n5.
"Kind hearts are more than coronets,
And simple faith than Norman blood
Years ago. at grand old cathedral
overlooking the Rhine. there appeared
mysterious organist. The great composer
who had played the organ so long had
suddenly died. and every body, from the
king to the peasant, was wondering who
could be found to fill his place. when,
one bright Sabbath morn, as the sexton
entered the church, be saw stranger
sitting at the crape-shrouded organ.
He was tall, graceful 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 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 it walled
and sighed, and clamored, as if tor
tured human heart were throbbing
its pipes.
When the music at length ceased, the
sexton fastened to the stranger and
said Pray, who are you, sir 2"
DO not ask my name" be replied. -
II have heard that you are in want of
an organist, and have come here on
trial" q
You'll be sure to get the place, ex-
claimed the sexton. Why, you sur
pass him that's dead and gone. sir p
"No, no, you overate me" resumed
the stranger, with sad smile; and
then, as if d4inclined to conversation,
he turned from old Hans, and began to
play again And now the music changed
from a sorrowful strain to grand old
pecan, and the mysterious organist--
"Lookng upward, full Of grace,
Prayed till from 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. be sat with bis "far-sceing"
gaze fixed on the distant sky, glimpse
of which he caught through an open win
dow, when there was stir about the
church door, and a royal party came
sweeping in. Among them might be
seen young girl. with wealth of gold
en- hair, eyes like the violet's hue and lips
like wild cherries. This was the prin-
cess Elizabeth. and all eyes were turned
to her, as she seated herselfin the velvet
cushioned pew appropriated to the court.
The mysterious organist fixed his gaze
upon her and went on playing No SOON
or had the music reached her ears, than
she started, as if ghost had crossed her
path The bloom faded from her cheek,
her lips quiycred. and her whole frame
grew tremulous. At last her eyes met
those of the organist, in long, yearn-
ing look and then the melody lost its
joyous notes, and once more walled, and
sighed aud clamorad.
a. BY my faith" whispered the king to
his daughter, ''this organist has master
hand. Hark ye. he shall play at your
weddingr'
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
edi6ce. Ay, full we'll she knew who he
was, and why the instrument seemed
breathing out the agony of a tortured
heart.
When the service was over, and the
royal party had left the cathedral. he
stole away as mysteriously as he bad
come. He was not seen again by the
sexton ill the vesper hour. and then be
appeared in the organ loft, and CON-
menced bis task. While be played, a.
yelled figure glided in, and kDelt near a