As Ludwig could take no part in this conversation, and as the attention of all the other cloister brothers was also devoted to the Abbot and Wegeler, he found time hanging heavily. He arose, slipped out of the refectory unnoticed, and enjoyed himself strolling around the abbey and the grounds, observing and admiring notable and interesting objects. While thus wandering about at pleasure, he came to the beautiful church of the abbey, and at once noticed its large handsome organ, which naturally had a greater attraction for him as a musician than anything else. He went up into the choir, scrutinized the organ closely, and admired its beautiful construction.
“It is too bad the organ-blower is not here,” he said aloud, for he did not suppose there was any one else in the church. “It would be the greatest pleasure to me to try such a splendid organ.”
“Ho! ho! who is talking there?” said an entirely unexpected voice, and out of the organ-blower’s closet stepped a serving brother, who regarded Ludwig with astonishment. “How is this?” he went on. “Did I not hear something about Monsieur wishing he could play the organ? Are you the Monsieur who wanted an organ-blower?”
“Certainly, it must have been I, since no one else but ourselves is at present in the church,” replied Ludwig.
“But,” said the man in amazement, and looking somewhat doubtfully at the short, thick-set figure of Beethoven, “does Monsieur say that he can play the organ?”
“Certainly,” replied Ludwig; “I could easily convince you if only there were a blower at hand who was willing to serve me.”
“I am the organ-blower,” said the man, shaking his head and still somewhat doubtful. “If you are really in earnest about playing the organ I will right gladly offer my service.”
“That is fine, perfectly splendid,” cried Ludwig exultantly. “To your post, worthy colleague. We will both take the utmost pains and each one of us do his best.”
Still dubiously and suspiciously shaking his head, the organ-blower took his place, but left the door ajar so that no tone of the young man’s playing should escape him. Ludwig seated himself, struck the keys with his strong hands, and evoked from the splendid instrument a stream, a full volume of tones, such as had never been heard in the church before. Majestically they rang through the church like the thunder of the Lord. Then suddenly there were soft and gentle tones like the vibrations of the harp, a heavenly melody, sung as it were by the voices of angels, anon pealing out grandly in a majestic hymn, like a song of praise from the heavens and the earth, glorifying the Eternal, the only God, the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. Powerful as the solemn tones had been, they died away again to a soft and lovely piano, until at the close the last sound exhaled itself like a breath and seemed softly to disappear among the lofty columns of the choir.