Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-03-27
THE OLD ORGANIST.
An Affecting STORY of an Easter
Even Hallelujah.

1t was dreary Easter even, but be-
hind it all was the glory of the resurrec-
ton time. One knew it by the fresh
smell of the ground as the rain fell upon
it, trying, with gentle touch, to coax
from it the frost and hardness of the
winter. -.
One knew it, too, by the tiny blades
of grass, the tender green of which
CLEANED in the sunny corners of shelf
cred door yards; and away in the woods,
under its warm covering of decaying
leaves, the little hepatica told anew the
old story of "death unto life"
People reused themselves from the
lethargy of winter, and the hopes over
whose death they had grieved, because
their frrition seemed so far away and
uncertain, came trooping back full of
Joy and promise as before.
1t was Easter even in a dull narrow
street. the dreariness OF which was made
mpre manifest by the fickering light of
half a-dozen oil lamps, and the quiet
strongly emphasized by the continual
patter of the soft spring ruin upon the
side walks, and upon the low roofs of
the cottages VIII ch stood ut irregular
intervals upon either side. The street
was sh 1T one, and at the upper end
of it, Just where it curved around q
corner into wide and prltentious
avenue, stood church, the cross on
who spire gilt cred in the uncertain
light. Tn. windows in the choir end OF
the building cleaned with light, and
through the open doorway came the
sound OF organ and Choir, now in
anth ms, ,lin in JOY fdl carols, and at
last soprano voice in - know that
my Redeemer liveth." AS the last note
d ed away into silence the organ alone
burst into the Ha leluiah chorus, and
the grand chords swell. ed in power until
the whole e lilice trembled with the
glory of their ma estic harmony. Then
all was qu ct. The choir came out in
twos and threes, and dispersed in vari.
Gus directions. One by one the lights
were eXtinguished, there was sound
OF closing doors, of keys being turned,
and the last Easter rehearsal was over.
AS the outer door was closed and fast
ened, two persons came down the st ps
of the church and turned into the dull
and narrow street. They were an old
man, seemingly feeble, and a younger
one upon whose arm he leaned.
'.Dear master" said the young man,
you should not have eyerted yourself
so greatly tonight; you are not strong
and so much depends upon you to-mor.
row."
"Ah, dear Paul." the old man re-
piled, "when one is like me, old and
feeble, tomorrow means so much less
than to-day. But you need not fear fol-
me, shall have strength sufficient for
tomorrow, All, but that Handel was
divine, and the chords of the Hallelujah
are the finest he ever wrote"
THAT is so, indeed, but it required o
great deal of your precious strength to
make the organ utter them tonight
PAIL said earnestly.
Ihe old organist looked at his com
palionsfor moment, and then said:
rDo you know that for forty years
there has not been an Easter even when
have not played the Hallelujah, and
should ] fail tonight"
"Yes," Paul answered, $50 you have
told me before, and have always fan
cied there must be some story connected
with this custom of yours. Is there one,
and can you tell 1t to GEAR friend who
loves youp"
The organist was silent moment
and then said very gently:
"Come home with me Paul, and
will tell you the story. Simple though
it be, perhaps it will interest you, be
cause as you say, and as believe, yor
love me-
The two figures. the old bent form
clngiug closely to the arm of the
strong and vigorous one, passed slowly
onward until they reached one OF the
smallest houses in the street, which
they entered. The organist lit quaint
lamp which stood upon table in tn,
small room, and its light revealed the low
walls hung with pictures of great com
posers, small piano. violin, and il
one corner an old-fashioned cabine
filled with rare scores, cherished with
tender affection by The aged musician
The Old man sank upon loupg!
which was drawn near fire, and said
''Paul, bring your chair close bosid
me, and l will tell you, il can. tn,
story promised. do not know why
an lmpeiled " speak thus to you 70