The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-28
A PASTEL
Leo Wheat is deadi

Leo Wheat is dead! kfxt
 One whose soul Is attuned can hear hear the "Gloria' of an invisible organ; the wooing voices of the "Chor Invis- ible."
 It was in the full tide of summer many years ago, in the romantic, pic- turesque Shenandoah valley of Virginia that had the pleasure of knowing him. and hearing him "key the soul" of a sweet toned organ. It was this way:
 As the representative of the Washing ton Post, I was making headquarters at that well appointed hostelry, the Hotel Brandon, Basic City. The hotel sat upon a knee of the Blue Ridge mountain Looking out from it's long, vine clad ve- randas lay beautiful prospect--Waynes- boro in the distance-with the narrow, noisy, "wadeable" waters of the Shenan- doah flowing through. Leo Wheat resided at Berryville few miles up the Shenan- doah valley. He had just returned from visit to Washington, where he had given a special recital for Mrs Cleveland and small select party at the White House. I am very fond of music, or any kind of music, but I can't understand Paderewslti in his most brilliant pas sages; I do comprehend his minuet I told Wheat of this. He sat down at the organ and improvised. Springing to his feet suddenly, he rushed away in great haste. for a few moments. to his apart ments Returning. he again seated him. self at the instrument. fingered a rew dreamy passages, interspersing with imi- tation of bird notes, chirping in vine clad nests.~~r Stopping abruptly he repeated from Byron:
 Long life to the grape! for when sum-
 mer is flown
 The age of our nectar shall gladden. our
 own;
 We must die-who shall not? May our
 sins be forgiven
 And Hebe shall never be idle in heaven"
 A few evenings after this symposium, musical programme by Leo Wheat was arranged for the guests of the ho- tel, and in some way I was charged with the office of keeper of the star. After playing for some while, Wheat excused himself. As he stayed overtime a group of ladies approached and urged me to se- cure his return. Well, found him-much rye mixed with the Wheat-but finally secured his presence at the organ. He played as one inspired.
 
 following the musical. The party of re- fined men and women, many of them highly accomplished. strolled on the lawn or along the vine covered verandas. Sher- bets and other ices were served. As was being served, I detected Wheat at my elbow. I told him how very much enjoyed his music and one particularly weird and quaint compositpn He seized me by the hand and almost dragging me into a secluded corner, where the moon- light threw yellow mosaics through the vines. upon the veranda floor, and in a mysterious and peculiarly tone like the moaning of night winds through cluster ing pines he said:
 You want to seat yourself in the shad- ows of 6 great cathedral while I, as an almost invisible spirit. creep through the door to the great organ and touching the keys-Q saw his fingers ripple over in visible keys in the moonlight)-lift your soul to God!
 And then he vanished. I have never seen him since. we shall die--who shall not? May our sins be forgiven,
 And Hebe shall never be idle in heaven 7 Leo Wheat is dead!