Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-06-23
The Mysterious Organist.

at grand cathedral overlooking the Rhine
there appeared distinguished organist. The
great composer who had played the orgnn so
much 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 morning, us the sexton
entered the church, he saw stranger sitting
Mt the Grape slrouded organ. He was u tall,
graceful man, with pale but strikingty hand
some face, great black melancholy eyes, and
hair like the ravens wing for gloss and color,
sweeping in dark waves over his shoulders
lie did not, seem to notice the sexton, but
went on playing, aud such music as he drew
from the instrument no words of mine eau
describe. The astonshcd listener declared
that the organ seemed to have grown human
that it walled and sighed and camorod as
if its tortured human heart were throbbing
through its pipe.
When the music at length ceased, the sex
ton hastcncd to the stranger. and asked
''l'ray, who arc you, sir ~
"Do not ask my nanc,' he replied "I
have heard that you were in want Of an or.
genst, and l have come here Oh trial
"You'l be sure to get the place" exclaim-
cd the sexton. "Why, you surpass him that's
uVhu uIu SOiG.
'No, no, you ovc:ratc nc, said the stran
ger, with smile then, as if disnclined to
conversation, he turned from old Hans, and
began to play again, and now the music
changed from sorrowfu strain to grand
old pecan, and the mysterious old organist,
Looking upward full of grace.
Playing still from happy plnco--
Gods glory smote him in the ftcG.
and his countcnance seemed not unlike that
Of st. Micheul, as portrayed by Guido.
Lost in the melodies which swclled around
him, he sat with his "far.sceiug" eyes fixed
on the distant sky, a glimpse Of which he
caught through the 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 a wealth Of
golden hair, eyes like the yio|et's hue, and
lips like wild cherries. This was the Prin-
cess Elizabeth, aud and all eyes were turned
towards her as she seated herself in the vel.
vct-cushionod pew appropriated for the court.
The mysterious organist fixed his eye upon
her and went to playing. No sooner had the
music reached her cars than she started as if
ghost had crossed her path. The blood ia.
ded from her crimson check, hor lips quivcr-
cd, and her whole frame grew tromulous -
At last her eyes met those Of the organist in
long, ycarning look, ard the melody lost its
Joyous not IS, and once moro walled and sighed
aud clalnorcd.
"By faith" whispered tho King to his
daughter, "this organist has master haud.
IIark yc, he shall play at your wedding"
Tho palo lips of the princess parted,
but sho could not speak-she was dumb with
grief. Like ono in painful dream, sho saw
the pale man at tho organ and heard the mel
ody which filled tho vast ediGco. Ay, full
we'll she knew who it was and why tho instru
ment seemed breathing out the agony of a
tortured heart:
When tho services were over and tho royal
party had left the cathedral, ho stole away as
mysteriously as he had como He was not
seen again by tho aoxton till the vesper hour,
aud then he appeared in tho organ loft and
commenced his task. When he played, q
vciled figure glidcd in, and khels near q
shrine. Thero she remained until the wor.
shippers disappeared, whon tho sexton touch
cd her on the shoulder aud said: