The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-02-26
The Mysterious Organist.
. A LEGEND OF THE RHINE.

Years ago, at the grand cathedral overlook
ing the Rhine, there appeared mysterious
organist. The great composer who had play
ed the organ SO long had suddenly died, and
everything, from the King to the peasant, was
wondering who could be found to fill his
place when, one bright Sabbath morning. as
the sexton entered the church, he saw a
stranger sitting at the crape-shrouded organ.
He was tall, graceful man, with pale but
strikingly handsome face, great black, melan-
choly eyes, aud hair like the ravens wing
for gloss and color, sweeping in dark waves
over his shoulders. He did not seem to no.
tice the sexton, but went on playing, and
such music as he drew from the instrument
no words Of mine can describe The aston
ished listner declared that the organ seemed
to have grown human--that it walled and
sighed and clamored, as if tortured HUMAN
heart were throbbing through it's pipes.
When the music had at length ceased the
sexton fastened to the stranger and asked
him:
"Pray, who are you?"
'Do not ask my name," he replied II
have heard that you are in want Of an organ
lst, and l have come here on trial.
you'll be sure to get the place." exclaim-
ed the sexton. why, you surpass him that's
dead and gone, sir"
"No, no, you over rate me" resumed the
stranger, with a 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 sorrowful to a
grand old pean, and the mysterious organist,
..Looking upwards full of grace,
Trays, till from happy place
Gods glory smote him in the face"
and MS countenance seems not unlike that OF
st. Michael, as portrayed by Guido.
Lost IN the melodies which swelled around
him, he sat with his ''far-seeing" eyes fixed
on the distant sky, a glimpse of which he
caught through an open window, when there
was stir about the church door, and royal
party came sweeping in. Among them might
be seen bright young girl, with wreath of
golden hair, eyes like the violet's hue, and
lips like the wild cherries This was the
Princess Elizabeth, and all eyes were turned
to her, as she seated herself in the velvet
cushioned pew appropriated to the court
The mysterious organist fixed his eyes upon
her, and went on playing. No sooner had
the music reached her ears than she started
as if ghost had crossed her path. The
blood faded from her crimson cheek, her lips
quivered, and her whole frame grew tremu
lous AT last her eyes met those of the or
ganist in long, yearning look, and the mel
ody lost its joyous notes and once more vail
ed and sighed and clamored.
"By faith, whispered the King to his daugh-
ter, "this organist has 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 mel
ody which filled the vast edefce. Az, full
well she knew who it was and why the instru-
ment seemed breathing out the agony Of
tortured heart.
When the services were over, and the royal
party had left the cathedral, he stole away as
mysteriously as he had come. He was not
seen again by the sexton till the yesper hour,
and then he appeared in the organ loft, and
commenced his task. While he played,
yelled figure glided in, and knelt near side
shrine. There she remained till the worship
ers disappeared, when the sexton touched her
on the shoulder and said
"Madam, everybody has gone but you and
me, and wish to cloae the Doors"
Il am not ready to go yet, was the reply
-ssleave me-leaye me !"
The sexton drew back into shady niche,
and watched and listened. The mysterious
organist still kept his post but his head was
bowed upon the instrument aud he could not
see the lone deyotee. At length she rose
from the aisle, and moving to the organ loft
paused beside the organist.
ssBertram," she murmured.
Quick as thought the organist raised his
head. There, with the light of lamp sus-
pended to the arch shove falling full upon
her; stoea the princess xhe had gracea The