Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-08-22

that's singular"
but / am sure you can"
"Why?''
Because / am certain that the man
who made the organ is a great must
clan although he cannot play upon it
himself, and thoroughly understood
what he was about when he attempted
to mend it. He plays the violin like
an angel"
"As well as 1 do?" asked Graun.
I hestitated and hung my head. l
did not dare say EYES," and yet I
could not say NO"
Speak up my boy; always tell the
truth"
"He plays better than you, L think,
sir, but then he always plays out in
the woods, and music sounds better
there than in a ROOM"
"True-so it does"
my masters said I at last after
some hesitation, will any of you in
your charity try the organ. The viii
lage is not far distant. You will there
by help this poor man"
81 will GO myself" answered Bach,
next Sunday. But say nothing about
it to anyone, only to your friend in
order to insure his presence in the
church,"
I gladly promised to carry out the
illustrious composers request.
On leaving the ST. Cecilia hall that
evening-it was a Friday-to my sur
prise almost the first person l met was
the Man in Blue. Hidden in the court
yard of the hall, he had been listen
ing to the music, and was in a state
of nervous excitement and enthusiasm
which quite alarmed me. AT first L
hesitated to tell of Bach's intention,
but at last did so. He received the
news in a amer I little expected.
He made no demonstration, but fol-
lowed me in silence until we were in
a lonely part of the town-a little
square, in the center of which grew
two or three trees. Here he passed,
and. falling on his knees, prayed earn
estly. The moon Shone down upon
his uplifted face, and it seemed al
most beautiful, SO great was the eX-
preston it bore of earnest devotion
and gratitude. When he had finished
his prayer, he embraced me in silence
and we parted.
Sunday arrived. and at an early hour
[ started for the village church. AS L
crossed the little field in front of it, [
saw advancing from the opposite side
| several of the professors, and among
them Bach. By-and-by, as it got noised
about hat some of the celebrities
were in the church, it filled up to
excess. Presently Bach assembled the
| organ loft. How my heart beat! Mass
began. At the "Kyrie" the hitherto
mute instrument for the first time
waited forth such heavenly sweetness
that the congregation was thrilled as
if by the music of angels. As the
mass advanced the more marvellous be-
came the harmony. The "Agnus" was
so ~plaintive that I saw tears in the
eyes of Gluck, who stood by me, and
! the 'Sanctus' sounded so triumphant
ly that it required but little imagin-
alton to believe the Cherubim and
Seraphim were indeed singing their
jubilant song of praise, Holy, Holy is
the Lord God of Sabaoth!"
But where was the Man in Blue?
Standing by the altar, with his face
II us oASdA LIS ~
preston was one of supreme happi-
ness and peace. His spectacles had
fallen from his beautiful but nearly
sightless eyes, and tears of joy We're
running down his sunken cheeks. His
homely features seemed TRANSPORTED,
When divine service was over, the
congregation passed round into the
porch to see the great composers
Long live Bach!" Shall, Gluck!'
they cried, as they recognized these
popular men. But Bach held aloof
LEAD me- he cried, ito that man
of genius who has so wonderfully i'm,
proved the king of Instruments"
MASTER | cried, she is in the
church." And so we re-entered the
sacred edifice together, followed by
Graun. / led them to h Man in Blue
What a change had come over him!
He had collapsed on a bench. and the
pallor of death was on his brow. When
he perceived us, he endeavored to rise
"Ah: excuse me, my masters. 1 re-
eeive you very poorly, but 1 am not
well; the joy has killed me. L am
dying of sheer happiness"
They raised him between them while
I ran for the priest, shutting the
church door as l went out, to prevent
intrusion.
Master, 1 am dying-play to me-
he begged. Bach, seeing that mortal
aid was vain, left us and went up the
organ loft. Solemnly he played as
he had never done before. The priest
came, and Graun and 1 kneit down
whilst the Man in Blue received the
last Sacrament. When this pious act
was accomplished, we came nearer tC
him. He took my hand, and Graur
rested his head upon his w breast
Solemnly the music stole through the
silent church, solemnly h sunlight
streamed through the stained win.
dows. and the Angel of Death stood
within the temple of God.
81 am very happy" murmured the
dying man, "since Bach plays to me or
nv organ and Graun allows me to
rest my dying head on his bosom
Turning to me, he said gently, "God
bless thee. my child; tell them L an
neither mad nor an %impostor. My
organ had a soul"
Graun bent over him and kissed his
brow. and with an exquisite look Of
gratitude for this act of sympathy and
respect he died, and the Angel OF
Death winged his way back to Heav'
en-. bearing the soul of the poor Maj