The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1873-11-05
A Boy 0rganiSt.

OVl oituHiS1
Mozart's first experience of largo
organ was in the monastery Off little
town on tho banks Of the Danube.
lie was then only six years old, and
in company with his father had left
lis home 10 Salzburg, and started
upon long course of travel. All
day long they had been sailing down
that majestic river, past crumbling
ruins, frowning castles, cloiStcrs hid
Jon away among the crags, towering
cliffs, quiet villages nestled in sunny
valleys, and here and there deep
gorge that opened back from the glid.
ing river, its hollow distance blue
with fathomloss shadow, aud its
loneliness and stiffness stirring the
bows hoart like some dim and vast
cathedral.
The company of monks with whom
they had boon travelling that day
were Of supper in the reflector of the
cloistor, whom father Mozart took
Wolfgang into the schapel to sec the
organ.
And now as the boy gazed with
something of awe upon tho great in
btrument looming up in the nhRdows
of tho great, empty church his face
lit up with serene satisfaction, and
every motto II and attitude of the lit
tie figure expressed wondering
reverence. What tones must even
now be slumbcring in those mighty
piyes-tones which, if once awaken
Cd, could give uttcrunce to all that
voicoloss beauty which the days
scenes had showed him---life and
death, present and past the peaceful
river and the deserted ruin tho sun
shine unfailing and the unfaiding
shadow at it's side.
"Father," said tho boy, "cxrlain
to mo those pedals at the orr gan's
feet, and lot mc play.'
Well pleased, the father complied.
Then Wolfgang pushed aside the
stool, and when father Mozart had
filed the great bellows, the elm or
ganist stood upon tho pedals, and
trod them as though he had never
needed to have their management cx-
planned.
How tho deep tones woke the
sombre stiffness Of tho old church 4!
The organ eccmcd great uncouth
creature, roaring for very Joy at the
carcsscs Of tho marvellous child.
Tho monks, eating their supper
in the rcfcctory, heard tho tones, and
dropped knifo and fork in nstonish-
ment. Tho organist of tho brother
hood was among them but never
had ho played with such power ana
freedom. They listened somc grew
palo others crossed themselves :;
till tho prior rose up, summoned all
his courage, and hastencd into the
chapel. The others followed, but
when thoy looked up into the organ
loft, 10 there was no form Of any or.
ganist to bo seen, though the deep
tones still massod themselves 10 new
harmonics, and made tho stouo arches
thrill with their power. "It is the
devil himself" cried tho first ono Of
tho monks, drawing closer to ono cf
his companions, and giving n scared
look over his shoulder into the dark
ness of tho aisle.
cit is miracle ~ said another.
But when the oldest of their number
mounted tho stairs to tho organ
front, he stood potriiicd with amaze
ment.
There stood the tiny figure, tread
ing from pedal to pedal End at the
samo time clutching the keys above
with his littlo hands, gathering hand
fuls of these wonderful chords, as if
they wcro violets, and niuging them
out into the solemn gloom behind
behind him. lie heard nothing, SAW
nothing besides his eyes bcamcd
like stars, and his whole face lighted
with impassioncd joy. l.oudcr ard
fuller rose the harmonics, streaming
forth in swelling hillows, till at last
they seemed to reach a sunny shore
on which they broke and then n
Whispering ripple of ialntcst melody
fingered moment ia the air, like tho
last murmur Of II wind hard, and NIL
was still.