The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-10-05
Mysterious Organist.
q a GRANp GAEHE.
!. "a overIooking the Rhine

& q a GRAND CAT II e
/ ~. dral overlooking the Rhine
/ 2e0Js there appeared a distinguish
el@S ed organist. The great com
poser who had played the organ S.
much had suddenly died, and eve
rybody, from the king to the peas
ant, was wondering who could be
found TO fill his place, when one
bright Sabbath morning, as the sex
! ton entered the church, he saw 8
stranger sitting at the ape-cover-
ed organ. He was a tall, graceful
man with a pale but strikingly
handsome face, great black melan-
choly eyes, and hair like the ra-
vens wing for gloss and color,
sweeping in dark waves over his
shoulders. He did not seem to no.
tice the sexton, but went on play
ing, and such music as he drew
from the instrument no words of
mine can describe. Then the as
tonished listener vowed the organ
seemed to have grown human-that
it walled and sighed and clamored
as if its tortured human heart were
throbbing through its pipes.
When the music at length ceased
the sexton hastehed to the stranger
and asked:
"Pray, who are you, sirg'
do not ask my name," he repli-
ed; 81 have heard that you were in
want of an organist, and I have
come here on trial"
You'll be sure to get the place"
exclaimed the sexton. why, you
surpass him that's dead and gone"
"No, no. you overrate me-" said
the stranger. with a smile; then, as
if disinclined to conversation, he
turned from old Hans, and began
to play again. and now the music
changed from a sorrowful strain to
a grand old pean, and the myste-
rious old organist,
Looking upward full of grace.
Playing still from a happy plac5
Gods glory smote him in the face,
and his countenance seemed not un-
like that of St. Michael, as portray
ed by Guido.
Lost in the melodies which swell
ed 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 a stir about the church
door, and a royal party came swee-
ping in. Among them might be
seen a bright young girl, with a
wealth of golden hair, eyes like the
violet's hue. and lips like wild cher
ries. This was the Princess Eliza
beth, and all eyes were turned to-
wards her as she seated herself in
the velvet cushioned pew appropri-
ated to the court. The mysterious
organist fixed s.eye upon her and
went on playing. No sooner had
the music reached her ears than
she started as if ghost had cross
ed her path. The blood faded from
her crimson cheek, her lips culver
ed, and her whole frame grew trem-
uIous. At last her eyes met those
Of the organist. and the melody
lost its joyous notes, and once more
walled and sighed and clamored.
sBy faith" whispered the King
to his daughter, ''this organist has
a master hand. Hark We, he shall
play at your wedding"
The pale lips Of the princess
parted, but she could not speak
she was dumb withgrief. Like one
in a painful dream, she saw the
pale man at the organ aud heard
the melody which flied the vast ed
flee. Ay, full we'll She knew who
it was and why the instrument
seemed breathing out the agony of
a tortured heart.
When the services were over and
the royal party had left the eathe-
dral, he stole away as mysteriously
as he had come. He was not seen
again BY the sexton until the yes
per hour and then he appeared in
the organ loft and commenced his
task. When he played, a veiled
figure glided in and knelt near a
shrine. There she remained until
the worshippers disappeared, when
the sexton touched her on the
and said;
"Madam, everybody has gone but
you and me, and I wish to close the
door. .
II am not ready 10 60 yet was
the reply; "leave me-leaye me!'
The sexton drew back into a
shady niche, and watched and lis
tened. The mysterious organist
still kept his post with his head
bowed upon the Instrument, and
IL or,,lA - sac tho Lone ln,.ntnn