Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-25
ANNIE LAURIE.

Though William douglass Qld not lay him
down and die for his Bonnie Annie Laurie"
a touching incident in connection with this song
is said to have occurred few years since in
Maryland. We cannot youch for its truthful
ness but will give it as we heard it
A small select company had assembled 10 "a
pleasant parlor, and were gaiy chatting and
laughing, when tall young man entered,
whose peculiar face and abstracted manner in-
Stantly attracted attention. He was very pale
with that clear, transparent, vivid complexion,
which dark-haired consumptives so often have.
His locks were as black as jet, and hung pro-
fusely upon his square white collar. His eyes
were large aud dreamy y-looking, his brow broad
and high, as though deep thoughts rested with
in the mind. But for certain wandering
look, a casual observer would have pronounced
him man OF uncommon intellectual power
The words poor fellow, and "how sad he
looks, went the rounds as he came forward,
bowed to the company and took his seat. One
or two thoughtless girls laughed as they whis-
pered ''he is love-cracked, but the rest treated
were played in which he took no part. When
all were wearied and had seated themselves to
rest, singing was proposed. One song after
another was sung, and finally Annie Laurie"
was called for. At its mention the young man
grew deathly pale, but did not speak he
seemed to be lost in intent revcry.
''rht name of the lady who treated him so
badly was named Annie" said lady in a
whisper to new guest but, OH! how wish
he would sing it nobody else can do it JUS
tice. ,:...a.. -
mo one sings Annie Laurie compared to
you, Charles, timidy said an elderly lady.
"Would it be too much to ask you to favor the
company with it %
He did not reply-his lips Slightly quivered,
then looking up as fhe saw spiritual pres
ence, he began. Every sound was hushed it
seemed as if his voice was the voice of an angel
The tone vibrated through nerve, pulse and
heart, and made one shiver with the pathos Of
his feeling
Never was heard melody in human voice
like that-so plaintive, SO soulful, tender and
earnest. '~.''
FIe sat with his head thrown back, his eyes
half closed, the locks of his dark hair glistcned
against his pale temples, and his hands slightly
folded before him. As he sang through the
following stanza he seemed to shake from head
to foot with heart rending emotion
''Maxweltons banks are bonnie ....r.
Where early fa's the dew,
And twas there that Annie Laurie
Gave me her promise true.
Gave me her promise true;
And ne er forget will L =. .5:
But for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me down and dee.
''Hcr brow is like the snow-drift;
Her throat is like the swan,
Her features are the fairest
That e er the sun shone on
That e er the sun shone on;
And dark blue is her e'e,
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me down and dee.
Like dew on the gowan lying,
Is the fa O her fairy feet,
And like winds in summer signing,
Her voice is low and sweet .@.
Her voice is low and sweet,
And she's a the world TO me, '.
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'd lay me down and doe"
AS he proceeded from line to line and verse
to verse, there was no more jestlng among the
company-al was hushed as if by the silence of
death. Many lip trembled and there were few
eyes but what were wet with spontaneous tears
Of pity and compassion. When flushing the
last verse he made slight pause, gazed with
searching, longing expression about the room,
and gasped forth
"And for bonnie Annie Laurie +"
I'd lay me down and dee'
Then sadly dropped his head forward upon
his chest The dark locks seemed damp as
they clustered around his snowy temples, while
the lustrous eyes closed with inexpressible and
tOrturing anguish.
There was a long and solemn pause One
glanced at another-all seemed awe-struck-til
the lady who had urged him to sing laid her
hand gently upon his shoulder, saying ......
Charles Charles!''
A hushed stillness-a a thrill of horror crept
through every form; the poor tired heart had
TL.rlos rlos-Ioued-hptraved- dead. ".-'