The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1858-01-15
ANNIE LAURIE.

aIf you want to hear Annie Laurie sung,
come 70 my house." said man to his friend.
ave have love-!orn fellow in the village,
who was sadley wrecked by the refusal Of
girl whom he had been paying attention to for
a year or more. 1t is seldom he will attempt
the song, but when he does, Tell you, it
draws tears from eyes unused to weeping"
A small selected company had assembled in
small pleasant parlor, and were gaily chat
ting and laughing when tall young man
entered, whose peculiar face and air instant
ly 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 Profuse-
Iy upon a square white collar. His eyes
were very large and spiritual, and his brow
such an one as poet should have. But for
n certain wandering look, casual observer
would have pronounced him man OF un-
common intellectual powers. The words
"poor fellow" and show sad he looks" went
the round as he came forward, bowed to the
company, and took his seat. One or two
thoughtless girls laughed as they whispered
he was "love cracked."-but the rest treae
him with respectful Difference. -.r-.r
| II was late in the evening when singing
was proposed, and to ask him to sing Annie
Laurie was task of uncommon deIcacy.-
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 reve
RE. "The name of the girl who treated him
so badly was Annie" said lady, whisper
ing to the new guest-but oh! wish he
would sing it; nobody else can do it JUS
tice."
"No one dare sing Annie Laurie before
you Charles" said an elderly lady; would
il be too much to ask you to favor the CON-
pany with it!" she added timidy.
He did not reply Tor moment-his lips
quivered little, and then looking up as if
he saw spiritual presence, he began. Every
sound was hushed-t seemed as If his voice
were the voice of an angel. The tones Vi
brated through nerve, and pulse, and heart,
and made one SILVER with the pathos of his
feelings; never was heard melody in human
voice like that-so plaintive, SO soulful-so
tender and earnest!
He sat with his head thrown back, his eyes
half closed-the locks of hair glistening
against his pale temples, his fine throat swell
ling 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"
il seemed as If he shook from head to foot
with emotion. Many lip trembled-and
there was no testing, no laughing. but instead,
tears in more than one eye.
And on he sang, and on, holding e'ery one
in rapt attention, till he came to the last
verse.
| "Ldke dew on the gowan lying
/ Is the fa' 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 a the world to me"
He paused before he added
"And for bonnie Annie Laurie,
| I'D lay me down and de-"
There was long solemn pause. The
black locks seemed to grow blacker--the
white temples winter almost imperceptibly
the head falling back-the eyes were close
shut. One glanced at another--al seemed
awc-struck-tll the same person who urged
him to sing:
Charles, Charles!
Then came hush-a thrill of horror
crept through every frame-the poor tired
heart had ceased to beat-Charles, the love-
BETRAYED was dead.