The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1877-04-13
Annie Laurie,

1t you want to near ANNE Laurie sung,
come to my house tonight said man to
his friend. We have lovesick fellow in
the village who was sadly wrecked by the
refusal Of a young girl to whom he had
been paying attention for year or more.
1t is seldom he will attempt the song, but
when he does, tell YOU he draws tears
to eyes unused to weeping"
A small, select party had assembled in
a pleasant parlor, and were gayly chatting
and laughing, when tall young man en-
tered, whose peculiar face and air instantly
arrested attention. He was very pale, with
that clear, vivid complexion which dark
haired consumptives SO Of ten have. His
locks were as black as jet and hung pro
ruseIy upoT oYuzEroJ wiritS ooaA"t. ffis
eyes we're very large and spiritual, and his
brow was such one as poet should have
But for certain wandering look, casual
observer would have pronounced him
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 laugh
ed as they whispered "love-cracked," but
the rest of the company treated him with
respectful Difference.
1t was late in the evening when singing
was proposed, and to ask him to sing An
ME Laurie was task Of uncommon deli
cacy. One song after another was sung,
and at last that one was named. At its
mention The young man grew deadly pale,
but" he did not speak he seemed instantly
to be lost in reverie.
The name Of the girl who treated him
badly was Annie" said lady whispering
to the new guest. "But oh, ! wish he
would sing it nobody else can do it jus.
tice."
"No one dares to sing Annie Laurie be.
fore you, Charles" said an elderly lady
+" Would it be too much for me to ask you
to favor the company with it, = she added
timidly.
He did not reply for moment-HiS
lips quivered, and then, looking up as !
he saw spiritual presence, he began
Every soul was hushed-lt seemed as
his voice was the voice Of an angel. The
tones vibrated through nerve and pulse
and heart, and made one shiver with th'
pathos of his feeling never was hear(
melody in human voice like that's
plaintive, SO soulful-so tender aud earn
est. He sat with his head thrown back
his eyes half closed, the dark locks glisten
ing against his pale temple, his fine throa
swelling with the rich tones, his hand
lightly folded before him as he sang :
uAnd twas there that Annie Laurie
Gave me her promise true"
It seemed as if be shook from head to foe
with emotion. Many lip trembled, an
there was no testing, no Laughing, but, i
stead, tears in more than one eye.
:. And on he sang and on, holding ever
t one in rapt attention, until he came to 70
! last verse:
9 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,
q Her voice is low and sweet,
4 And she's a the world to me-
d He paused before he added:
I And for Bonnie Annie Laurie
I'll lay me down and dee
f There was long and solemn pause
The black locks seemed to grew blackef-
! the white temples winter. Almost 1mpe
i ceptibly the head kept falling baek-fl
j eyes we're close shut. One glanced 81 9
! other-all seemed avestruck-tih the san
!. person who had urged him to sing lad :
hand gently on lis shoulder, saying
= "Charlesl Charles :
= Then came hush--a thrill Of hoFE
]. orept through every frame-the poor, "
: heart had ceased to beat. Charles
love-betrayed. vas dead,