The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1889-12-06
VOL. XXXIV---NO. 40.

"Then came my trial. The men who play.
ed with me Stunned me. My friends shut
their doors, and few days later my last SOW
ereign was gone. l was utterly stranded,
homeless and unhappy as it would be posi-
Bile to make human being. For nights l
slept in the Cabmen's coffee houses then
was considered nuisance, and some door
step served me for a bed. / pawned every
trinket, decent suit of clothes
and finally spent three months in work
house under an assumed name.
at was there the presence of Marie haunt
ed me again. Several rich people came to
distribute among US such gifts. as tobacco,
warm clothing, etc. was hungry and didn't
look al the visitors, when suddenly voice /
knew said to me, my good mani which
would you prefer, some warm clothing or
some pipes and tobacco" l looked up. It
was Marie. | rushed from the table out into
the fields and there was found, hours after,
insensble.
I'm my bed, there in that workhouse hos.
pital, | wrote the words ofthe song YOU heard
me sing to-day. Then got well, and sick of
the life left the place and became night
wa'chman at some new buildings they were
putting up in Aldersgate street. While there
the music OF my song came to me. l got
scrap OF manuscript music paper and iot,ed
friends often passed me at night, iolly and
careless, little dreaming that James Lawson
was the poor night Waterman who answered
their indOlent questions.
Often, when all was still, poured out my
soul in this little song, and after awhile the
night gamins used to come and listen to me,
1t pleased them. To me it brought back the
memory of dead love and ruined life.
But you are firing of my story. There is
little more to tell.
III could not endure the solitary medita-
ton OF my past. again began 10 drink.
lost my situation, and as last resort
thought that perhaps my little song was
worth few shillings, and brought it to Mr..
Turner"
AT this the poor fellow burst into tears
When he was himself again they went out,
and few minutes afterwards Mr.. Turner,
addressing Lawson, said
MIR. Lawson, here is Ten shillings. 1t will
be enough to'get your supper and a decent
room tonight. Tomorrow morning want
you to call here, and shall give you good
position in my warehouse. AS for your song,
want you to remember this: If you keep
sober will pay you good royalty but If
you spend this ten shillngs in drink, not
another penny will you get"
Lawson left the shop, and did not make his
"pPSa'o hSS W. hNC Nuys. lueu lie was IN q
condition almost as bad as when he first
entered it. His vest was gone, his boots
were exchanged for old ones, his hat was
well, it was an apology for a hat His coat
IAN old one) was buttoned tight around his
collarless neck, and his face was unkempt
and unshayen, as uncean as it was five days
ago.
Mr.. Turner looked at him. He did not
even speak to him. The smell of bad rum
sufficiently told him all he wished to know.
He took halfa crown from his pocket, hand
ed it TO Lawson, and turned on his heel. Ad-
dressing Mr.. T, he said "If this man
comes here again, put him out"
The composer Of Ever of Thee" immedi-
ately left the shop, and heaven only knows
what his fate has been. Certain it is that he
never called at Turner's again.
Men, women and children of every color
and cline sing the song Of the tramp, Law
son. And the composer and his sad life are
forgotten and unrecognized in the dear old
song, Ever of Thee"