The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-16
Annie Laurie.


we have lovc-orn fellow in the village
who was sadly wrecked by the refusal of a
girl whom lie had been paying attention to
for a year or more. 1t is seldom,hc will at
tempt the song, but when lie does, l tell
you it draws tears from eyes unused to.
weeping
A small selected company had assembled
in pleasant little parlor, and were gaily
chatting and laughing when tall young
man entered whose peculiar face and air
instantly arrested their attention. lie was
very pale, with that clear vivid complexion
Which dark-haired consumptives SO often
have. His locks were as black rs jet, and
hung profusely upon square Write collar.
His eyes were very large and spirited, and
his brow such one as poet could have.
But for certain wandering look, a casual
observer would have pronounced 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 defer
| ence.
1t was late in the evening when singing
was proposed, and to ask him to sing sAn-
ME Laurie" was 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 lost in a rev
eric. The name Of the girl who treated
him so badly, was Annie, said lady, whis-
pering to the new guest, but oh wish lie
would sing it !; nobody else can do it JUS
| tice.'
NO one dares sing Annie Laurie before
you, Charles said an elderly lady; would
it be too much to ask you TO favor the COM
pany with it 2 she added timidly.
lie did not reply for momcnt-his lips
quivered little, and then looking up as if
he saw spirit present, he began. Every
sound was hushed-it seemed as if his voice
were the voice of an angel. The tone vi
brated through nerve and heart, and made
one shiver with the pathos of bis feelings !;
never was heard melody in human voice
like that-so plaintive, so SOULFUL, so ten
der and earnest
lie 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 lie sung
"And twas there that Annie Laurie
Gaze me her promise true
it seemed as if he shook from head to foot
with emotion. Many lip trembled-and
there was no jcsting, no laughing; but in,
stead, tears i'll more than one eye,
And on he sang, and on, holding every
ono in wrapt attention, till he came to the
last verse
'.I.ike dew on the gowan lying
Is the fa' Of her fniry feet
And like winds in summer sighing,
Her voice ia low and sweet
Her voice is low and sweet
And she's a the world to me-"
lie paused before he added
"And for bonnie Annie Laurie,
I'D 10y me down and die"
There was long, solemn pause. The
black locks seemed to grow blacker7zthe
white temples winter almost impercepti
bly, the head falling back-the eyes were
close shut. One glanced at anothsr-a
seemed awe-struck-till the same person
who had urged him to sing, laid her hand
gently on his shoulder, saying: +
Charles, Charles 7
Then came ahush-a thrill ofterror crept
through every frame-tbe.poor, tried heart
had ceased to beat-Charles, the love-be7
trayed, was dead!! *,
Myprrr sa :. Mpprcr,,r -Onr cant;,n n, te