The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-01-11
H Annie Laurie"

elf YOU want to hear Annie Laurie
sung, come to my house tonight" said
O man to his friend. "We have love-
lorn fellow in the village, who was sadly
wrecked by the refusal of girl whom he
had been paying attention to for year
or more. 1t is seldom he will attempt
the song, but when he does, | tell you
he draws tears from eyes unused to
weeping"
A small select company had assembled
in a pleasant parlor, and were gayly
chatting and laughing, when tall young
man entered, whose peculiar face and
air instantly arrested attention. He was
very pale, with that clear, vivid COM
plexion which dark haired consumptives
so often have. His locks were as black
rs jet, and hung profusedly upon Il
square white collar. His eyes we're very
large and spiritual, and his brow such an
one as poet should have. But for II
certain wandering look, a casual observer
would have pronounced him n man of
uncommon intellectual powers. The
words "poor fellow" and chow sad he
looks" went the rounds, as he came for
ward, bowed to the company, and took
his seat. One or two thoughtless 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 sing
ing was proposed, and to ask him to sing
"Annie Laurie" was task OF uncom-
mon delicacy. One song after another
was sung, and at last that one was
named. At its mention the young man
grew deadly pale, but did not speak; he
seemed instantly to be lost i'll reverie.
1.-The name of the girl who treated
him so badly was Annie, said lady,
whispering to the new guest" but, oh
l wish he would sing it: nobody else can
do it justice"
"No one dare sing Annie Laurie
before you, Charles" said an elderly
lady "would it be too much for me tc
ask you to favor the company with it p
she asked, timidly.
He did not reply for q moment-hii
lips quivering little, and then looking
up as if he saw spiritual presence, ht
begun. Every sound was hushed--i
seemed as if his voice were the voice o
an angel. The tones vibrated through
nerve and pulse and heart, aud made ONT
shiver with the pathos of his feeling
never was heard melody i'll human
voice like that--so plaintive, 50 soulful
50 tender and earnest.
He sat with his head thrown back. hi
eyes half closed-the locks OF dark hai
glistening against his pale temples, hi
fine throat swelling with the rich tones
his hands lightly folded before him an
us he sung
Md twas there that Annie Laurie
Gave me her promise true -
, it seemed as il he shook from head t
foot with emotion. Many a lip tremble
and there was no iesting, no laughing
but instead, tears in more than one eye
And ON he sung, and on, holding ever
one in wrapt attention, till he came
: the last verse
Like dew on the gowan lying
Is the ia OF her fairy feet
And like winds in summer signing
Her voice is low and sweet,
Her voice is low and sweet
Aud she's world to me -
= He paused before he added
"And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I'll lay ME down and die.
There was long and solemn pa,ls
: The black locks seemed to grow black
the white temples whiter-almost il
perceptibly the head kept falling back.
the eyes were close shut. One glance
, at another-all seemed awestruck-t
the same person who had urged him
sing, laid her hand gently on his shoulds
saying:
Il Charles, Charles ~
Then came Il hush--a thrill Of hori
crept through every frame-the po
tired heart had ceased to beat-Charle
e the love betrayed, WAS dead.