The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-03-09


LAS well as do 2'' asked Graun.
| hesitated, and hung my head I did not
dare say yes" and yet would not say
no"
Speak up, my boy; say the truth always.
and shame the devil"
He plays better than you sir, think
but then he plays out in tho woods, and
music sounds better there than in close
room"
True. it does -
"My masters" said I, at last. after some
hesitation, "will any one of you. 10 your
charity, try the organ-the village is not
distant-aOd thus justify he poor man ?"
81 will, myself" answered Bach, ION
Sunday. But say nothing about it to any
one. Only to your friend, in order to induce
him TO be present in the church Oh that morn
ing"
With heartfelt thanks gave the i'lustrious
composer my promise to obey in every par
ticular his iujunctions.
On leaving the st. Cecilia Hall that even
ing Gt was Fiday). to my surprise almost
the first person met the Man in Blue.
Hidden 10 the courtyard of the hall he had
been listening to the music, aud was in
state of nervous enthusiasm which quite
alarmed me. hesitated to inform him what
Bach intended to do, but at last did so. He
ctived the news in a manner that | little
expected. He made no drmnpst ration of 10y,
but followed me in silence until we were in
lonely part Of the towu-a little square, in
the centre Of which grew three or four old
trees. Here be paused, and sinking on his
knees prayed earnestly. The moon shone
down upon his uplifted face and it seemed
almost beautiful, so great was the expression
it bore of earnest devotion and intellect -
When he had finished mis- prayer, he embraced
NE in silence, and we parted.
Sunday arrived, and at an early hour |
started for the church Of the village of --
AS l traversed the little field in front of it. |
behei. advancing from the opposite side,
several Of the professors, and amongst them
Bach. By-and>by, as it got noised about
that soma of the celebrities were in the
church, it was filed to excess. Presently.
Bach mounted the organ-luft. How my
heart beat Mass began. At the '.Kyrie."
for the FIRST time, the hitherto mute ipstru-
ment gave forth snunds-Gut sounds of snch
heavenly sweetness that the congregation
was thrilled as if by the music of the angels.
AS the Mass advanced the more marvellous
became the harmony. The 'Agnus" was
so plaintivs that I saw tears 10 the eyes of
Gluck. who stood by me. and the "Sanctus''
sounded so triun nphantly thBt it required
hut little Imagination to believe that the
Chsruhim and Seraphim were present sing
ing their jubilant song of praise: Hoy,
Holy, is the Lord God of Sabaoth."
And the Man IN Blue. where was he
By the altar. with his face turned towards
his organ. His " bole cuuuteuance waa ra
diant, his eyes were bright aud lock at
once ecstatic and serene passed over his fea>
tures-a look of such supreme htpuiness that
| his homely features appeared absolutely
beautiful. But how ETHEREAL he looked
When the Massswas concluded the cons
greGatIon passed round the porch to see the
great composers. ''Leng live Bach % III Hail
to G'uck !" they cried as they recognized
these popular men.
But Bach held aloof. Lead me" he said,
Ito that man Of genius W ho has so wonder
| fully improved tnat king Of instruments"
Master" | replied, he is in the church. -
And we entered the sacred edifice together
| followed by Graun. | led them to the Nan
| IN Blue. But what a change had came owe r
! him! The palar of death was on his brow
! be had sunk back on a bench-aCd, when he
| perceived us, vainiy strove to rise. ''Ah
! excuse me. my masters. | receive you very
/ badly; but am not weil-ghe JOY, has killed
me. | am dying, gentlemen. of joy"
| They raised him between them. | ran for
| the priest, and to the doors. which shut to
! prevent the entrance of any intrudsrs.
Master. whilst l confess, play to MS he
said to Bach.
Bach, seeing that mortal aid was useless
! left us, and went up to the organ. SoIemn>
ly he played. He played, as he afterwards
! said. as he had never dere before or since
Ehe priest arrived. and Graun and | knelt
down whilst the Man in B'ue received the
last sacraments OF the church. When this
| pious act was accomplished we went nsarer
| to him. He took my hand, and Graun rest
ed his head upon his breast. Solemnly tie
music stole throsgh the silent church solS
emnly the sunlight streamed through the
stained windows, aud the Angel of Death
stood within the temple of GOD.
Il am very happy" murmured the dying
man, ''since Bach plays to me on my organ.
and Graun permits me to rest my dying
head upon his bosom.''
To me he said, God bless thee, my child
tell them | was not mad, or an impostor.
My organ had a soul"
Graun stopped and kissed his pale brow,
and with an exquisite look of gratitude for
this act of sympathy and respect, he died,
| and the Angel of Death winged his way to
heaven, bearing the poor carpenters soul to
God.
A MoRTUARY LIsT.-The Boston Bulletin
has the following valuable nortuary list :