The Kanzas news., 1857-11-07
From the Olive Branch.
Annie Laurie.


eff you want to hear Annie Laurie sung,
come to my house, said man to his friend.
''We have love-lorn fellow in the village,
who was sadly wrecked by the refusal of q
girl whom he had heen paying attention to
for year or more. Il is seldom he viii
attempt the song, but when he does, tell
you, it draws tears from eyes unused to
weeping"
A small select company had assembled
In a small pleasant parlor, and were gaily
chatting and laughing when tall young
man entered. whose peculiar face and air
instantly arrested the attention. He was
very pale, with that clear vivid complexion,
which dark haired consumptives 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 pronounced him a
man of uncommon intellectual powers
The words ''poor fellow" and chow 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 s'love-eracked, a"
but the rest treated him with respectful
Difference.
1t was late in the evening when singing
was proposed, and to ask him TO sing 'sAn-
ME Laurie was a task of uncommon deli
cacy. One song after another was sung, and
at last that one was named. AT its mention
the young man turned deadly pale. but did
not speak; he seemed instantly to be lost in
reverie. 1.-The name of the girl who treat
ed him so badly was Annie said a lady.
whispering to the new guest-but ON 1
wish he would sing it; nobody else can do
it Justice
mo one dares sing Annie Laurie before
you, Charles said an elderly lady;
s'would it be too much to ask you to favor
the company with t?'' she added timidly.
He did not reply for moment--his lips
quivered little, and then looking up as if
he saw spiritual presence, he began. Ev-
cry sound was hushed-it seemed as if
his voice were the voice of an angel. The
tones vibrated through nerve, and pulse,
and heart, and made one shiver with the
pathos of his feelings; never was heard mel
ody in human voice like that-so plaint-
i've, so soulfull-so tender and earnest
He sat with his head thrown back, his
eyes half closed-the locks of hair glisten
ing against his pale temples, his fine throat
swelling with the rich tones, his hands light
ly folded before him; and as he sung
"And twas there that Annie Laurie
Gave me her promise true"
it semed as if he shook from head TO foot
with emotion. Many lip trembled-and
there was no jesting, no laughing; but in
stead, tears in more than one eye.
And on he sang, and on, holding every
one in rapt 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 low and sweet.
Her voice is low and sweet
And she's a the world to me"
He paused before he added
"And for bonnie Annie Laurie,
I'd lay me down and die"
There was long solemn pause. The
black locks seemed to grow blacker-the
white temples whiter-aimost impercepti-
bly, the head kept falling baek-the eyes
were close shut. One glanced at another
all seemed awe-struck-till the same person
who urged him TO sing, laid her hand gent
ly on his shoulder, saying,
s'Charles, Charles ~
Then came husb-a thrill of horror
crept through every frame-the poor tried
heart had ceased to beat-Charles, the love-
betrayed was dead.