Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-02-23
MILLERSBURG OHIO. THURSDAY, 23 1865
Annie Laurie.

This lovely song, admired the world over
for the beautiful simplicity Of its words It's
easy. flowing and expressive melody has
lately received an additional impetus TO its
popularity, by the following thrilling Incl
dent said To have occurred in Maryland
"A select company had assembled in
pleasant parlor, and were gaily chatting and
laughing, when tall young man entered,
whose peculiar face and air Immediately at
tracted attention. He was very pale, with
that clear, vivid complexion which dark
haired cOnsnmptives often have. His locks
we're as black as jet, and hung profusely up
on clear white collar. His eyes were very
large and spiritual, his brow such an one as
poet should have But for certain
wandering look, a casual observer would
have pronounced him man Of uncommon
intellectual powers. The words poor fel.
low, and ''how sad he looks" went the
rounds as he come forward, bowed to the
company and took his seat. One or two
thoughtless girls laughed as they whispered
that he was love 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 Annie
Laurie, was task of uncommon delicacy.
One song after another was sung and at last
this one was named. At its mention the
young man grew deadly pale, but did not
speak, he seemed to be instantly lost in
revcre.
The name of the girl who treated him
badly was Annie, whispered a lady to o
new guest, "but oh wish he would sing
it ; nobody can do it justice. -
No one dare sing Annie Laurie before
you Charles, said an elderly lady, would
it be too much to ask you to favor the COM
pany with p she added timidly.
He did not reply for mOment--his lips
quivered little, and then looking up as if
he was a spiritual presence, he began Ev-
cry sound was hushed. The tones vibrated
through nerve and pulse and heart, made
one shiyer with the pathos of his feeling;
never was heard melody in human heart
like that--so plainative, so soundful--so
tender and earnest
He sat with his head thrown back, his
eyes half closed-the locks of dark hair
glistning against his pale temples, his
hands lightly folded before him; and as he
sang the stanzas he seemed to shake from
head to foot with heart-rending elnotion.-
As be proceeded from line to line. and verse
to verse, there was no more testing among
the company; all was hushed as if by the
silence of death. Many lily trembled,
and there was but few eyes but were wet
with tears of spontaneous pity and COM
passion.
When finishing the last verse, he made
slight pause, gazed with searching long
ing expression about the room, and gasped
forth:
"And for bonnie Annie Laurie.
I'd lay me down and die"
and slowly dropped his head backward over
the chair. The black locks seemed to grow
backer, the white temples winter and large
lustrous eyes to slowly close with inexpres
sibe and torturing anguish.
There was long and solemn pause
One glanced at another-all seemed ave-
struck-till the lady who urged him to sing
laid her hand gently upon his shonlder say
ing
''Charlcs Charles -
Then came hush, thrill of horror
crept through every frame-the poor tried
heart had ceased to beat
Charles, the love-betrayed, was dead.