The Afro-American., 1897-04-17

Tdid not speak for few seconds; then
he said III swell, Berthald, would YOU
like to hear me play again?" The
look of Joy which passed over the girls
face, and her eager, sob! yes, sir Z
were enough. He smiled, and taking
her by The hand led her to the organ
ana placed her beside him. For
long time he played, then. suddenly
pausing, he asked, "Can you singP"
"A little, " she answered. He played
The prelude to an air sweet and simple,
which was well known.
''sing this, Berthald, child. ?" he said.
AT first thu blind girls voice was low
ana trembling, but as she sang she
forgot before whom she stood, and all
absorbed in the beauty Of the song
ana her love for it, she lost all trace
of fear, and as the last note sounded
her voice rang out clear, strong and
beautiful.
"Well done, child, said the master,
''well done, indeed you shall come to
me every day and I will Aach v~--,
and tleD vo- -p,~-,a sing here.
Berthald's sightlessN n.-.3flled with
tears, and feeling for the masters hand
she Bert her head and kissed it reYer-
emily.
From that day she became the pupil
Of the great organist, and before many
years had passed away the wondrous
Beauty of her voice had spread far and
near, ana the cathedral was filled with
strangers TO see and lear the blind
girl. Offers Of the most tempting ma
ture were made her, but she refused
them ail, and, elinglng to her friend,
was happiest when by his sidI16
# wag rare sight to * Pin the
choir ot the old CATH ). =& Sabbath
day. Tn the " : Sons she was
always dresse ], with her hair,
alnost goldc e il rich veil
about her; no trace of color upon her
pure face; the light from the great
windows streaming IN upon her, and
bathing her in its softened rays All
gazed upon her, standing there shut
out from all that makes life beautiful,
singing her wondrous song, asa being
allied To another world.
But -Berthald had ALWAYS lo~--'-4
o,;la ,,;r s.-.s-- ls5s9S Un0ugh everything
vas done which loving hands could do
-for the master brought her to his
own home and cared for her as his
child-yet she seemed to grow tired.
she would rest often, and though her
place in thet choir she always filed,
ana Her voi4e rang out sweet and
strong as ever, she would place her
hama on her side, and her breath grew
shorter and quicker, and 50 nearly 9
year sped On, and as the pleasant
spring days once more came, Berthald
seemed TO grow stronger, and her
earnest wish, to sing in the great
Eastsr festival, which was held in the
cathedral ana in which she took the
most prominent part was to be graft
fed. The master shook his head
gravely and would have had it other
VIE. Therd had been much sr
1ld No. 9ay at last ell was rss e5,
the time Tor Sle great Easter jubilee
had arrived. The old cathedral was
thronged with friends and stranger!
from near and far; every availabls
spot had been secured. Singers ans
musicians had taken their acss
then the grand master seated himseI
III the organ. and the fiss log note
81 the Easter anthem IFp Ii IN ion ths
ear.
Berthald stood aad as usual ii hel
simple dress Of Se for her part
Tie organ ceaseds the blind girl
magic voice broke the stiffness
The choir and orga 3 bined sA
Wien Tie music dieaS sayoassase fol
loved thnnaers Of applause. The cor
~.~aws - <8rsI ln~SS,a7 vi