The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-03-22

pIayS upon Inc Violin.
Gas well as I do?,' asked Graun
hesitated, and hung my head
L did not dare say Eyes, and yet
would not say 'no. %
Speak up, my boy; say the trutI
always, and shame the devil"
He plays better than you, sir,
think; but then he plays out in the
woods, and music sounds better
there than in a close room"
''True, it does"
"My MASTER" said I, at last, af,
ter some hesitation, "wiI1 any one
Of you, in your charity, try the or
gan-the village is not distant-and
thus Justify the poor man?"
81 will, myself" answered Bach,
con Sunday. But say nothing about
it to any one. Only to your friend,
in order to induce him 10 be pre-
sent in the church on that morning. .
With heartfelt thanks Igave the
illustrious composer my promise to
obey in every particular his iniunc-
tions.
On leaving the. St. iCecelia Hall tbSt
evening (it was Friday, to my sur
prise, almost the frat person I met
was the Man in Blue. Hidden in
the courtyard of the hall he had been
listening to the music and was in a
state of nervous enthusiasm which
quite alarmed me. I hesitated to
inform him what Bach intended to
do, but at last I did so. He re-
ceived the news in a manner that I
little expected. He made no de-
of JOY, but followed
me in silence until we were in a
lonely part of the town-a little
IN the centre of which grew
three or four old trees. Here he
paused, and sinking on his knees
prayed earnestly. The moon shone
down on his upifted face, and It
seemed almost beautiful, so great
was the the expression it bore of
earnest devotion and intellect.
When he had finished his prayer,
he embraced me in eilence, and we
parted.
Sunday arrived, and at an early
hour l started for the church of the
village of -. AsI traversed
the little field in front of it, L be-
held, advancing from the opposite
side, several of the professors, and
amongst them Bach. By-and-by,
Is it got nOised about that some of
the celebrities were in the church,
it filed to excess. Presently Bach
the organ lott. How my
heart did beat! Mass began. At
the "Kyrie, for the first time, the
hitherto mute instrument gave forth
sounds of heavenly
sweetness that the congregation
was thrilled as if by the music of
5he angels. As the Mass advanced,
more marvellous, became the harmo-
ny. The "Agnus" was so plaintive
hat I saw tears in the eyes of GIuck,
who ood by me, and the 'fSanctus"
sounded so triumphantIy that it re-
luired but little imagination TO be-
eive that the Cherubim and Ser
sphim were present singing their
ubilant song of praise: "Holy,
Holy, is the Lord God offs lbbaoth."
And the Man in Blue, where was
ne?
By the altar, with his face turned
towards his organ. His whole
was radiant, his eyes
we're bright, and look at once
ecstatic and serene passed over his
features-a look of such supreme
that his homely features
appeared absolutely beautiful. But
how ethereal he looked!
When Mass was concluded the
passed round the porch
TO see the great composers. "Long
i've Bachl' "Hail to Gluck!" they
cried, as they recognized these pop
1lar men.
But Bach held aloof. "Lead me"
he said, "to the man of genius who
has so wonderfully improved the
King of instruments
"Master," I answered, she is in
5he church" And we re-entered
5he sacred edifce together, followed
oy Graun. I led them to the Man
n Blue. But what a change had
come over him! The pallor of
1eath was on his brow; he had
sunk back on a bench-and when
ne perceived us vdinly strove to
Use. Ali excuse me my masters.
receive you very badly: but I am
not well-the Joy has killed me. I
am dying, gentlemen, of JOY
They raised him between them. I
ran for the priest, and to the doors,
which I shut, to prevent the en-
rance of any int uders.
master, whilst I confess, play to
me-" he said to Bach.
Bach, seeing that mortal aid was
useless, left us and went up to the
organ. SOlemnly he played. He
played, as he afterwards said, as he
never had done before or since.
The priest arrived, and Graun and
[ knelt down whilst the Man in
Blue received the last sacrament of
The church. When this pious act
was accomplished we went nearer
to him. He took my hand, and
Graun rested his head upon his
breast. SolemnIy the music stole
through the silent church; solemnly
the sunlight streamed through the
stained windows, and the Angel of
Death stool within the temple Of
God.
81 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 I was not mad,
or an impOster. Ny organ had a
soul"