Preble County Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1857-1859, 1858-09-02
ANNIE LAURIE.

'If you want to heal Annie Laurie
sung, come to my house tonight" said
man to his friend. "We have a love
lorn fellow in the village, who was sad
ly wrecked by the refusal of a girl
whom he had been paying attention
to for q year or moro. 1t is seldom
he will attempt the song, but when
he does, 1 tell you, it draws tears
from eyes unused to weeping"
70 A small select company had assem-
Bled in a pleasant parlor, and were
gaily chatting and laughing when a
tall young man entered, whose pecu-
liar 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 on a square white col
lar. His eyes were very large and spir-
itual, and his brow such an one as a po-
ct should have. But for a certain wan
dering look, a casual observer would
have pronounced him a man of intel
lectual powers. The words "poor fell
low" and show sad he looks" went
the rounds, as he came forward, bow
ed to the company and took his seat.
One or two. thoughtless girls laughed
as they whispered that he was Glove
c7acked"-but the rest treated him with
a respectful deferonce.
It was late in the evening, when
singing was proposed, and to ask him
to sing "Annie Laurie" was a task of
uncommon ~delicacy. One song after
another was sung, and at last that one
was named. At its mention the young
man grew deadly pale, but did not
speak, he seemed instantly to be lost
in reverie.
"The name of the girl who treated
him so badly was ANNIE" a lady
whispered to the new guest-"but oh!
L wish he would sing it; nobody else
can do it Justice"
No one dares sing Annie Laurie be-
fore you, Charles" said an elderly lady;
would it be too much to ask you to
favor the company with it2" she added
timidly.
He did not reply for a moment-his
lips quivered a little, and then looking
up as if he saw a spiritual presence, he
began. Every sound was hushed-it
seemed as if his voice we're the voice of
an angel. The tones vibrated through
nerve, and pulse, and heart, and made
one SILVER with the pathos of his feel
ing; never was heard melody in a hui
man voice like that, so %plaintivc, SO
soulful-so tender and earnest!
He sat with his head thrown back,
his eyes half closed the locks of dark
hair g~listening 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 q lip trem-
bled-and there was nojesting, no laugh
ing; but instead, tears in more than ono
eye.
And on he sang, and on, holding ey-
cry one In wrapt attention, till he came
to the last verse
"Lfke dew on the gowan lying
Is the IA of her fairy feet
And like winds in the summe 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 die"
There was a long and solemn pause,
The black locks seemed to grow black
CIR the white temples whiter-almost
imperceptibly the head kept falling
baok-tho eyes were closed shut. Ono
glanced at another-all seemed awe,
struck-tiH the same person who had
urged him to sing, laid her hand gent.
ly on his shoulder, saying,
"Charles, Charles!'
Then came a hush-a thrill Of nor,
TOR crept through every frame-the
poor tried heart ceased to beat-Charles
the love betrayed, was dcad.-Olir
Branch,