Mariposa Democrat., 1857-12-17
/" ANNIE LAURIE.r

COine W my HOusc to'Hbllt, Sdlu SehtlVihai
to his friend awe have love-lorn fellow in
the village, who was sadly wrecked by the re-
fusal of girl whom he had been paying atten-
ton to for a year or more. 1t is seldom he
will attempt the song, but when he does,
tell you he draws tears from eyes unused to
weeping"
A small select company had assembled in a
pleasant parlor, and were gaily chatting and
laughing when a tall young man entered,
whose peculiar face and air instantly arrested
attention; he was very pale, with that clear,
vivid complexion which dark-haired consump-
tives so often have. His locks were as black
as jet, and hung profusely upon square,
white collar. His eyes were very large and
spiritual, and his brow such an one as poet
should have. But for certain wandering
look, casual observer would have pro-
nounced him man Of uncommon intellectual
powers. The words "poor fellow" and how
sad he looks" went the rounds as he came
forward, bowed to the company, and took his
seat. One or two thoughtless girls laughed as
they whispered that he was " love-cracked
but the rest treated him with respectful de-
ference.
1t was late in the evening when singing was
proposed, and to ask him to sing annie Lau-
rie" was task of uncommon delicacy. One
song after another was sung, and at last that
one was named At its mention, the young
man grew deadly pale, but did not speak he
seemed instantly to be lost in a reverie.
"The name of the girl who treated him SO
badly was Annie" said lady, whispering to
the new guest" but, oh / wish no would
sing it, nobody else can do it justice"
"No one dares sing Annie Laurie before
you, Charles" said an elderly lady "would il
be too much for me to ask you to favor the
company with it ?" she added, tmidly.
lie did not reply for a moment--his lips
quivercd a little, and then looking up as if he
saw a spiritual presence, he began. Every
sound was hushed-it seemed as if his voice
was the voice Of an angel. The tones vibrated
through nerve, and pulse, and heart, and made
one shiver with the pathos of his feeling never
was heard melody in human voice like that
so plaintve, so souful-so tender and earn
est He sat with his head thrown back, his
eyes half closed-the locks of dark hair glis-
tening against his pale temples, his fine throat
swelling with the rich tones, his hands lightly
folded before him; and as he sung
"And twas there that Annie Laurie
Gave me her promise true"
it seemed as if he shook from head to foot
with emotion. Many lip trembled-and
there was no jesting, no laughing; but instead,
tears, in more than one eye.
And on he sung, and on, holding every one
in wrapped attention, till he came to the last
verse
Like dew on the gowan lying
Is the IA of her fairy feet
And like winds in summer signing
Her voice is low and sweet,
Her voice is low and sweet
And she's all the world TO me"
He paused before he added,
"And for bonnie Annie Laurie,
I'll lay me down and die
There was long and solemn pause The
black locks seemed to grow blacker-the white
temples whittier = almost imperceptibly the
head kept falling back-the eyes were close
shut One glanced at another-all seemed
awe.struck-till the same person who had
urged him to sing, laid her hand gently on his
shoulder, saying, "Charles, Charles!"
Then came the hush-a thrill Of horror
crept through every frame-the poor tried
heart had ceased to beat-Charles the love.
betrayed, was dead.