The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-12-03
The Mysterious Organise.
Years ago at the grand cathedral


looking the Rhine there appeared dis
tinguised 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 morning, as the sexton
entered the church lie saw stranger
sitting by the Grape shrouded organ. lie
was tall, graceful man, with pale but
strikingly handsome face, great, black,
melancholy eyes, aud hair like ravens
wing for gloss and color, sweeping in
dark waves over his shoulders. He did
not seem to notice the sexton, but went
on playing and such music he drew from
the instrument no words of mine can
describe. The astonished listener de-
clared that the organ seemed to have
grown human-that it walled and sighed
and clainored as If a tortured human
heart We're throbbing through its pipes.
When the music at last ceased, the
sexton hastened to the stranger aud
asked:
''Pray, who are you, sir -
ado not ask my name," lie replied !;
II have heard that you were in want of
All vi SdLiSl, anu HdNe couie mere on
trial"
you'll be sure to get the place., y
exclaimed the sexton. 'Why, you sur
pass him that's dead and gone"
''No, no, you ovcrratc me-" said the
stranger with smile; then, as if declin-
ing conversation, he turned from old
Hans, and began to play again, aud now
the music changed from sorrowful
strain iuto q grand old raesn, and the
mysterious old oreanist-
Looking upward full of grace.
Plays still from happy place
Gods glory smote him in the face.
and his cou, tenancc seemed not uulike
that of St. Mi.hacl, as portrayed by
Guido.
Lost in the melodies which swelled
aruund him, he sat, with his ''far seeing"
eyes fixed on the distant sky, a glimpse
OF which lie caught through an ope1
window, when there was stir about the
church door and the royal party came
sweeping in Among them might be
seen bright young girl. with wealth OF
golden hair, like violet's hue aud lips like
wild cherries. This was the Princess
Elizabeth, and all eys were turned to-
wards her as she seated herself in the
velvet cushioned pew appropriated TO the
court The mysterious oryaDist fixed his
eyes upon her and went on playing. No
sooner had the music reached her ears
than she started as If u ghost had crossed
her path. The blood faded from her
crimson cheek, her red lips quivered,
and her eyes met those of the organist in
a long yearning look, and the melody lost
its joyous notes and once more walled
and sighed and elamored.
"By faith" whispered the King to his
daughter, sthis organist has master
haud, 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 Il painful dream,
she saw the pale man at the organ and
heard the melody which filled the vast
edifice. Ny, full well she knew who it
was, and why the instrument seemed
breathing out the agony of tormented
heart.
When the services were over and the
royal party had left the cathedral. he stole
away as Inystcriously as he had come.
He was not seen again by the sexton
till the vesper hour, and then he appeared
in the organ loft and commenced his task.
While he played a veiled figure elided in
and kDelt near shrine. There she re-
manned until the worshippers disappears
ed, and then the sexton touched her on
the shoulder and said:
Madame, every body has gone but you
and me, and wish to close the door
Il am not ready to go yet" was the
reply; "leavc me-ieave me y
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 instru-
mcnt, and he could not see the lone de-
votec. At length she rose from the aisle.
and moved to the organ loft aud paused
beside the organlst
sBertram she murnured.
Quick as thought the organist raised
his head. There with the light of u lamp
SUI pended 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 its ernine
trimmings. the tiara, the necklace, and
bracelets, had been exchanged for a gray
serge robe aud thick veil which she
now pushed back from the fair, girlisli
face.
"Why are you here, Bertram s' asked
the Princess.
II came to bid you farewell; and as I
dared not venture into the Palace,
gained access to the cathedral by bribing
j. be bell-ringer, and having taken the seat
of the dead organist, let my music
breathe out the adicu I could not trust
my lips to utter
A low moan was the only answer, and
he continued:
''You are to be married on the NOR
row ?'
eyes sobbed the girl" Oh! Ber
tram, what trial it will be to stand at
yondcr altar and take upon me the vows
which will doom me to living death"
Think of me-" rejoincd the organist.
~ our royal father has requested me to
play at the wedding, and have promised
to be here 1t were your equal could