Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-03-26
Annie Laurie.

ouuS, COiic ~ IIiy HOuSc, salu IIldH "
his friend. We have love-lorn fel-
low in the village, who was sadly
wrecked by the refusal of girl whom
he had been paying attention to for q
year or more. 1t IS seldom he will at
tempt the song, but when he does, l
tell yon it drrws tears from eyes I'M
used to weeping
A small selected company had as
scmbled in small, pleasant parlor, and
were gaily chatting and laughing,
when a tall young man entered, whose
peculiar face and air instantly arrested
their attention. He was very pale,
with that clear, vivid complexion
which dark-haired consumptives so Of
ten have. His locks were as black as
jet, and hung profusely upon a square
white collar. His eyes were very large
and spiritual, and his brow such one
as poet should have. But for a GER
tain wandering look, casual obseserv-
cr 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 thought
less girls laughed as they whispered
that he was love-cracked"-but the
rest treated him with respectful def
erence.
1t was late in the evening when
singing was proposed, and to ask him
to sing " Annie Laurie" was task Of
uncommon dclicacy. 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
treated him so badly was named
Annie" said lady whispering to the
new guest" but oh wish he would
sing it; nobody else can do it Justice"
" No one dares sing annie Laurie
befor you Charles said an elderly la
dy )" would it be too much to ask you
to favor the company with it 7" she ad-
ded, timidly.
lie did not reply for moment-his
lips quivercd little, and then looking
up as If he saw a spiritual presence, he
began. Every sound was hushcd-it
seemed as if his voice were the voice of
an angel. The tones vibratcd through
nerve, and pulse, and heart, and made
one shivcr with the pathos of his feel
ngs; never was heard a melody in
human voice like that-so plaintivc, so
soultul--so tender and earnest.
lie sat with his head thrown back,
his eyes half closcd-thc locks of hair
glistcning against his pale temples, his
fine throat swelling with the rich tones,
his hands slightly folded before him;
and as he sung
"And was there that annie Laurie
Gave me her | T mise true"
it seemed as if he shook from head to
foot with emotion. Many lip quiv-
ercd--and there was no testing, no
laughing; but instead, tears in more
than one eye.
And on he sang, and on holding
every one in rapt attention, till he
came to the last
"Lke dew on the gowan living
is the IA OF her fairy feet
And iike The winds in srminer siging,
Her voice is low and sweet
Her voice is low and sweet
And she'sa word 70 me"
He paused before he added
and FOR bonnie Annie Laurie
I'D lay down and die -
There was long, solemn pause
The black locks seemed to grow black.
er-the white temples whlter-almost
impreceptibly the head falling back
the eyes were close shut. One CLAN
ced at another-all seemed awe.struck
till the same person who urged him
to sing, laid her hand gently on his
shoulder, saying:
Charles, Charles !"
Then came a hush-a thrill Of ter
ror crept through every frame-thc
poor, tired heart had ceased to beat
the love betrayed, was dead.
To the Farmer.