The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1864-12-30
Annie Jnurie.


This lovely song, admired the
world over for the beautiful simplici.
ty Of It's words, its easy, flowing and
expressive melody; has lately rcceiv.
ed an additional inpetns TO its popu.
larity by the following thrilling Incl.
dent said to have occurred in Mary
land.
A email select company had assem-
bled in pleasant parlor, and were
Caily chatting and laughing when n
tall young man entered, whose
peculiar fnce and air instantly attract
cd attention He was very pale, with
that that clear, vivid complexion
which dark haired cOnsumptives so
often have. His locks were os black
as Jet, and hung profusely upon a
SQUARE white collar His eyes we're
very large and spiritual, and his brow
was such on one os poet should
have. But for certain wandering
look, casual observer would have
pronounced him q man OF uncommon
intellectual powers The words"poor
fellow" and chow sad he looks, went
the rounds as he came forward, bow.
cd to the company and took his seat.
One or two thoughtlcss girls laughed
as they whispered that he was Glove
cracked" but the rest treated him
with respectful Difference.
1t was late in the evening when
singing was proposed, and to ask him
to sing "Annic Laurie" was n task
of uncommon, dclicacy. One song af.
ter another was sung, and ut last one
was named. At its mention the young
man grew deadly pale but did not
speak, he seemed to be instantly lost
in reveric.
"The name Of the girl who treated
him so badly was Annie" aaid Ia
dy whispering to new guest, "but oh
I wish he wonld sing it; nobody else
can do it Justice
"No one dares sing Annie Laurie
before yon, Charles" said an elderly
lady, "would it he too much to ask
you to favor the company with itY'
she added timidly.
lie did not reply for moment
his lips quivered q little, and then
looking up as if he saw spiritual
presence, he began. Every sound
was hushed. The tones vibratcd
through nerve and pulse, and heart
and made ono shiser with the pathos
Of his feeling never was heard mel.
ody in human voice like that--so
plaintive, so soulful--so tender and
earnest.
He sat with his head thrown back,
lis eyes half closcd-the locks hf dark
hair glistcniug against his pale tenn
pies, his hands lightly folded before
him; and as he sung the stanzas h'
seemed to shake from head to foo
with heart rending emotion. As h
proceeded from line to line, anC
verse to verse, there was no more Jest
ing among the company all was hush
cd "a if by the silence Of death. Ma
ny lip trcmbled, and hut few eyes
but were wet with the tears OF spon.
tnneous pity and compassion.
When finishing the last verse. HI
made SLIGHT pausc, Gazed with
searching, longing expression nbou
the room, and gasped forth;
"Ard f,r honnlo Annie laurie
dlay iue down and die,
md SLOWLY dropped his head back
ward over tho chair. The black locks
seemed to grow hlncker, the whit
temples whittier, and the large lustrou
eyes to slowly close with idexpressi
ble and torturiug anguish.
There was q long and solemn pause
One glanced at another--all seemed
awe struck-till the lady who ha,
urged him to sing laid her hand gen
tly upon his shoulder, saying:
"Charles Charles -
Then came hush, thrill of hor
ror crept through every framc-th
poor tried heart had ceased to beat
Charles, the love betrayed, wa
lead