The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-06-26
Annie auTic.

"Ir ycu want to hear Annie Laurie sung,
come 20 my house 10 night" said a man TO
his friend "We have love lorn fellow in
the village who was sadly wrecked by the
refusal of girl to whom he had been pay
ing attention for year or more. II is sell
dom he attempts the song, but when he
does, tell you it draws tears from eyes un-
used to weeping"
small, select company had assembled
in pleasant parlor, and were gsily chatting
and laughing, when tall young man en-
tered, whose peculiar face aud air Instantly
drew their attention. HIS locks were as
black as jet, and hung profusely upon a
square white color. Hs eyes we're very
large, and his brow such an one as Z poet
should have. Bot for certain wanderiur =
look, a casual observer would have pro-
nouncei him a man Of uncommon intel
lcctual power.
The words, Poor fellow - and How
sad he locks' went the rounds as he came
forward, bowed to the company and took
Ms seat, One or two of the girls laughed
as they whispered that ne was love
cracked the rest treated hin with
a respectful Difference.
1t vas late in the evening when sing 'rg
was propose1, and TO ask him TO sing " An
. 81
cy. One song after another was sung, ana
at last that one was named. At lis mention
the young man turned deadly pale; he dii
not speak. but seemed instant y TO be los:
. in reyerie.
/ The name Of the girl who treated b.;l
50 bad was Annie" saio 4 lady, whispering 2
, 10 new gucs;-'' but oil . wish he would
sing il nobody bu; HIM can do it justice.
/ NO ons dare sing Annie Laurie be-
fore you, Charles, said an elderly lady
! =. woula It be too much 20 ask you TO favo:
the company with il:
. He did not reply FOR momen.-iis lips
quivered little, and then looking up as
though he saw spiritual presence, be be-
gan Every sound was hushed-it seemed
as though his voice was the voice OF an an
gel Tie tones vibra,ed through nerve,
pulse and heart. and made one shiyer with
the pathos OF bis feelings, never was melody
I in human voice like that-so plaintive, 50
4 souiful-so tender and earnest.
( He sat with his head thrown back, his
( eyes half closed-the locks Of hair glstening z
on his pale temples, his fine throat swelling
+ with the rich tones, his hands lightly folded
before hin ; and az he sung.
And twas there that Annie Laurie
Cred me her promise true"
/ II StttneH Us II ne SuOoh IIOEi Ueat 20 1901
with emotion. Many lip trembled. and
there was no jes;ing. no laughing, but in
stead. tears in every eye.
Ard on he sang, holding every on in
wrspt attention, until he came to the last
verse
Iik. dew the soxan lying
Is the IA o. her fairy feet,
And like winds in summer signing
Her voice is low and sweet
Her voice was low an? sweet
And she's a the woId TO me-
He paused before he added
"And for bonnie Annie Laurie
LAY me dowa amp die.
There was long solemn pause. The
black locks seemed to grow blacker-the
temples whi;er-alrnost irnprecepiibly, the
head kept falling back-the eyes were close
shut. Que glanced at another-all seemed
awe-struck-vntil the lady who had urged
him to sing laid her hand gently on his
shoulder, saying.
CHARLES, CHAEELs,"
There came hush-a thrill of horror
crept through every framc-the poor tried
heart had ceased to beat-CHARLEs, the love
betrayed, was dead,