Scenes in Switzerland | Page 6

that it was night; and the great doors locked. Hastily as his trembling
limbs would allow, he crept down the stairs. Darkness shrouded the
aisles. He reached the doors, they were barred and bolted. What would
his father say? and Nanette, would she think where he was, and rouse
the old door-keeper?
High up through the tower-window he caught sight of a star; and the
moon poured her silver radiance full on the face of the organ. Creeping
up the stairs, he once more opened the instrument. Surely some one
would hear him if he played, and Nanette he knew would not leave him
to stay in the old cathedral alone.
Hours passed: the full moon cast her splendor on a sweet child-face
bent over the keys in the organ-loft of the old cathedral, a smile still
played about his lips, and his light brown hair lay in rings on his broad,
white forehead. Franz was asleep, and while asleep he dreamed.
* * * * *
A beautiful lady, he thought, came to the cottage; she had a sweet,
lovely face, but so sad that Franz wondered what sorrow could have
come to one so rich and beautiful. The lady caught the expression of his
eye, and slipping her arm around him, drew him still nearer.
"You think because I am rich that I must be happy. Learn then, my

child, that wealth does not bring happiness; neither does beauty win
lasting favor. To be good is to be rich, and it also makes us beautiful.
The power that we have in ourselves is far superior to the outward
circumstances that surround us."
"My father had this power," replied Franz. "You see it did not profit
him; for when he thought himself secure as kappelmeister, the elector
gave his place to another, and now he is growing old and blind."
"Is this so?" exclaimed the lady, a warm light flashing into her gray eye.
"Did the elector give his place to another?"
"Indeed, he did; and it broke my father's heart," replied Franz. "Since
then, we have neither of us known pleasure; only when we go to the
cathedral, Nanette and me; and when we return, our father never tires
of asking questions."
"This must not always be," replied the lady. "Will you come with me,
my child, and it is possible we can show you a way whereby you can
do something for a father whom you so much love."
"I will go with you," replied Franz; "but I must not be gone long, for
my father will miss me when he wakes."
Then Franz gave his hand to the beautiful lady, and she led him by a
smooth way through the most lovely wood; tall trees, filled with
singing birds, skirted the banks of clear, running streams, while
flowering shrubs and vines flung their perfume to the air. At length she
came to a gate so strong and high Franz thought it would be impossible
to open it. But as they approached, it seemed to swing back noiselessly
on its hinges. Franz saw there was a lodge there, with a gray-haired
man, and little children playing before the door, and as the lady passed
all bowed to her.
Presently they came in sight of a magnificent castle, its walls white and
glistening; while the sunlight glinting against the deep windows,
flashed and scintillated like a bed of diamonds. As they came nearer,
the lady left the broad road, and wound along a narrow path, and came
to a little postern gate, and up a broad marble terrace, with sparkling
fountains, and with flowers brighter than he had seen before, and birds
of gay plumage flashing their beauty through the tree-tops. At the top
of the terrace she gave him into the care of an elderly man, with a white
flowing beard and eyes full of tenderness. A few words were said, and
the old man took Franz by the hand and led him into a room, the floor

of which was marble, smooth as glass, while the walls were green and
gold. In the centre was a marble basin or pool, with steps leading down;
the atmosphere was dim by reason of a sweet and subtle perfume rising
from the water. Franz was hardly conscious till he came out of the bath;
then his hair was carefully dressed, and a new suit of clothes was
brought him.
He had only time to look at himself in the mirror, when the lady
returned. She was dressed in a rich white silk, covered with lace and
sprinkled with pearls and diamonds. On her head she wore a crown;
bright and sparkling as it was, it was not half so beautiful as the sweet
face that beamed below it. The deep traces