Morris tribune., 1886-03-10
The aoed prolate seemed most fayor-

The aged prolate seemed most favor
ably impressed in the outset. There
was something in the look of the boy
in the truthfulness of the great blue
eyes, and in the beauty of the whole
face that charmed him.
He sat down on wooden bench un-
der the tree, and called the boy to his
side. A few questions, with the lads
ready answers, gave the man of wide
and varied experience q clear insight
into his character.
do you think your father would let
you go away from home, to come and
live with mep" the archbishop asked,
taking him kindly by the hand.
"Ah, good sir, of what use could |
bep"
"That is not the question. Do you
think your father would let you gog"
Eyes, sir. l am but Little Good
for-Nothing here at home"
dupont, you said you wanted boy
for our chapel organ. Why wouldn't
this boy answer the wantP''
The organist liked the idea. 1t pleas
ed him. But would the little fellow
90? Would he like the work?
'.What would l have to dop" Fran
co.'s asked eagerly.
''You would have to work the bel
lows when played upon the chapel
organ, and also the bellows of the
archbishop's own organ in the music
room of his palace; and | should expect
YOU to keep the instruments busted,
and the white keys clean, and, oc-
casionally you would run upon errands
for me"
The boy clapped his hands in the ex-
uberance of his joy.
"Oh, yes, sir! should love to do
that. Oh, would be very careful! |
would never do wrong, knowingly; and
L should hear you play; l should live IN
the sweet realm of music!
The archbishop looked from the boy
to the organist. He was wonder-strick-
en-. The body of puny boy, with the
soul of poet!
"You are fond of music, my boy?'
The answer was not in words. Speech
of tongue could not express the boy s
feelings; but he clasped his hands and
lifted his eyes heavenward.
Jean CIopin could hardly believe his
ears when the archbishop himself of
fered to hire little Francois; but he
was finally made to comprehend, and
his consent was not wanting. He was
cheerfully willing-aye, even glad,
but he feared they would find him oi
no use.
However, the archbishop would as
sumo The risk, and the arrangements
were finally completed.
And from that day it could never be
said OF Francois that he was good fol
nothing. He was prompt and ener'
oetic in his new calling, seeming tc
have but one desire, and that to please
| tne organist and the good archbishop.
The organ in the palace was so ar
ranged that the boy, when he worked
at the brake which filled the bellows
could watch the fingers OF the organist
as they rested upon the ivory keys
| and Dupont often found himself for
getting his theme, and studying Tho
ecstatic expression of Francois face.
One day, when the boy had been will
him a week, NJ. Dupont was perform
ING upon the organ in the chapel, tht
music OF new oratorio which was
soon to be sung in publican oratorit
| of his own composition.
One strain, solo, which he particu
larly admired, he repeated severa
times, and by-and-by he was startled
by hearing tones which he was sure
were not produced by. him, and ye
they were as soft and sweet-as pure
ly melodious- any note the organ
was capable of making.
The wonderful tones increased il
volume, and presently the musician !
ear caught the sound of words. Sud
denly he stopped, and spoke. Witt
this the organ bellows-boy was out o
sight. ..s
"Francois!'
"Oh, good sir, pardon me!-pardon
l will never do. so again. "
'.,Was it you? Were you singing"
Eyes, sir [ did not think"
s'Tut, tut! Be not afraid, dear boy
| have no blame. You charmed me
If I will call another hand to tn
bellows, will you stand here and try t.
sing?"
As soon as the lad could be made t.
understand that the organist was il
earnest, he said he would try.
s'Then 60 and find Pierre Basard
and tell him that l want him."
Pierre Basard was a man engaget
about the chapel. He came, and too
his place at the bellows, while Fran
co.'s stood by NJ. Dupont's side. The
the organist gave into his hand tn
words and music of solo for femal
voice. He had not learned to rea'
music at sight, but he had heard thi
played until he knew it by heart
knew every tone and every intonation.
The effect was wonderful. Dupon
gave but the softest tones-dulce
| strains-above which the voice of tht
boy arose rich, pure, and sympathetic
Several minor passages of exceptiona
beauty and pathos, and very difficult
were executed by the little singer will
the perfectness of age and experience
At the end the player leaned back, ant
wiped the tears from his eyes, Their
he threw his arms around the boy, ant
blessed him.
"You will sing for the archbishop"
eff he would care to hear me-yes
sir"
But curious circumstance was tx
happen before the boy could sinG
again.
The archbishop, 'at that time, wa'
absent, and would not return until the
following day.
1t was the second morning after the
scene in the chapel choir. The pre-
late had eaten breakfast, and was or
his way to his study, when, in passing
the door of his music-room, he heard
the tones of his organ.
He stopped in a startled mood and
listened. He had never known Du
pont to be there at that early hour
Who could it beP Surely sweet mu
sician. There was no effort at execu
ton, no grand passages, but rather !;
succession of sweet, soft tones, like
celestial whisperings in harmonious
/ concord.
How long he stood cntranced by ths
strange music he could not tell, bu
| by-and-by he softly opened the dool
and looked in, and there he saw little
Francois Clopin at the finger-board
! of 4l,a bof1robo1I xyaa oI