The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1858-04-01
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Annie Laurie.

eff you want to hear Annie Laurie
sung, come to my house," said man to
his friend. "We have a love lorn fellow
in the village, who was sadly wrecked by
the refusal of girl whom he had been
paying attention to for a year or more
Il 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 assem-
bled in small pleasant parlor, and were
gaily chatting and laughing when 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 consum-
tives 50 often 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 an one as a poet should have. But
for a certain wandering look, casual
observer would have pronounced him a
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
bis seat. One or two thoughtless girls
laughed as they whispered that he was
: love-cracked but the rest treated him
with a respectful Difference.
1t was late in the evening when sing
ing 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 seem
ed instantly to be lost in reverie. 1.-The
name of the girl who treated him so bad
ly was Annie" said lady, whispering to
the new guest-but oh | wish he would
sing it; nobody else can do it justice"
"No one darcs sing Annie Laurie be-
fore you, Charles" said an elderly lady
+" would it be too much to ask you to fa-
vor the company with it p she added
timidly.
He did not reply for moment-his
lips quivered a little, and then looking up
as if he saw a spiritual presence, he be-
gan. Every sound was hushed-it SEEM
ed as if his voice We're the voice of an
angel The tones vibrated through nerve
and pulse, and heart, and made one shiv-
er with the pathos of his feelings; never
was heard melody in human voice like
that-so plaintive, so soul-full-so ten
der 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 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 a lip trembled
and there was no jesting, 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 verse
Like dew on the gowan lying
Is the fa of her fairy feet
And like winds in summer sighing,
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 die
There was a long solemn pause. The
,lack locks seemed to grow blacker-the
white temples whiter-almost impercep-
IDLY the head falling back-the eyes
we're close shut. One glanced at anoth-
,r-all seemed awe struck--till the same
,erson who urged him to sing laid her
land gently on his shoulder saying:
"Charles, Charles p
Then came a hush--a thrill of terror
,rept through every frame--the poor
ried heart had ceased to beat Charles,
ha 1oro hoIro.-oI xx.as In.I