Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-10-12

n Touching Song and NelGncho!.
ScGuI.

Il Touching Song and Neianch0ly
Sequel.
Recently, incidents in connection
with Annie Ladrie have been received.
Noies ana Queries has the following
interesting memoranda concerning the
heroine OF the familiar ballad-''Annle
Laurie :
The birth of this young lady, SO well
known through the Scottish song, Is
quantity recorded by her father, Sir
Robert Laurie, of MaxwcIton. in the
register, in these words AT the plea
sure of Almighty God, my daughter,
Annie Laurie, was born on the lG;h
,lay Of December, I6S5-about six O.
clock in the morning, and was baptized
bv Mr.. Geo. Hunter, Of Glcucailn. His
own marriage is also given i'll the same
quaint style at the pleasure Of the
Almighty, was married to my wife,
Jean Riddle, upon the 27th day Of Jul
ly. lGS2,in the from Kirk Of Edinburg,
BY Mr.. Annanc.'
These statements. it is said, were
found among the valuable collection of
manuscripts left by the late Mr.. W. II.
Arundcll, and which his son, W. +.
Dumtriesshire, kindly allowed TO be cX-
amincd and made use OF. They con
tanned vast fund Of curious intorma-
ton respecting the antiquities and coun-
try lamilirs Of Dumtrcisshire. Many OF
our readers probably kdow that Annie
was loved by William Douslacs, OF
Fngland, Kirkcudbrightshirc. Her
charms are thus spoken Of in his pathct-
ic lyric:
"IIer brow is like the snowdriIt,
Her throat is like the swan,
Her features are the falrest
That e'or The sun shouc on,
That e'cr the sun shone on,
And dark blue is her e'e,
And for bonnie Annie Laurie,
Ia lay me down and dee"
She, however, was obdurate to his
passionate appeal, prcterring Alexander
Ferguson of Craigdarrock. to whomshe
was eventually married. This William
Douglass was said to have been the
hero of the wcll-known song, Willie
was Wanton Wag." Though he was
refused by Annie, he did not pine away
in single blessednesS, but made runa-
way marriage with Miss Elizabeth
Clark, of Glcnboig, in Galloway, by
whom he had four sons aud two daugh-
ters. Though William Douglas did not
s.lav him down and die" for his Bonnie
Annie Laurie, q touching incident in
connection with this song is saidto have
occurred a few years since in Maryland.
We cannot vouch for It's truthtuness
but will give it as we heard it. a
small select company had assembled in
a pleasant parlor, and were gaiIy chat
TING and laughing, when tail young
man entered, whose peculiar face and
distracted manner instantly attracted
attention. lie was very pale, with that
clear transparent and vivid complexion,
which dark haired comsumptlvcs so oft.
en- have. His locks were as black as
Jet, and hung protusely upon his square
white collar His eyes were large and
dreamy.looking, his brow broad and
high. as though deep thoughts rested
within the mind. But for a certain
wandering look, a casual observer
would have pronounced him a man OF
uncommon intellectual power. The
words poor fellow, and 'how sad he
looks" went the rounds as he came for
ward, bowed to the company and took
his seat. One or two thoughtlcss girls
laughed as they whispered "he is love
cracked, but the rest Treated him with
respectful Difference. Merry games
were PLAYED in which he took no part.
When all were wearied and had seated
themselves to rest, singing was propos-
ed. One song after another was sung.
and finally "Annie Laurie" was called
for. At its mention the yonng man
grew deathly pale, but did not speak:
he seemed to be lost in intent .revery.
The name of the lady who treated
him SO badly was Annie, ssid lady in
a whisper to a new guest, "bnt, oh. how
| wish he would sing it; nobody else
can do it justice.
No one sings Annie Laurie eompar-
ed to you, Charles" tinidly said an ell
derly lady. would it be too much to
ask vou in favor the company with it ?
He did Tot reply-his lips slightly
ouivered, then looking up as if he saw
a spiritual presence, he began. Every
sound was hushed-it seemed as If his
voice was the voice Of an angel. The
tones vibrated through nerve, pulse and
heart and made one shiver with the pa
tbos of his feeling. Never was heard
melody in human voice like that-so
plaintive, 30 soulful, so tender and earn
est.
He set with his head thrown back, his
ewes halt closed, the locks Ct his dark
hair clustered against his pale temples,
and his hands nightly folded before him.
AS be sang through the following stan
y - -