Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-11-14

following story:
IL was once rich. Nj. T. You
know wha. am now. You we're as
tonished to hear me play the piano SO
we'll. That little song has been the
only companion from which gained
any comfort for the past twelve
months. 1t brought back to me the
DAYS when l was rich, loved, looked up
to and happy. OF course it has its sad
side for me. But the memory OF what
it recalls is the dearest thing IN my
existence.
Mr.. T-interrupted him at this
point and indicated that it was grow
ing late.
'!Please bear with me-" rejoined his
companion. "Let me tell you how
and why I composed that song. Two
years ago met a girl IN Brighton.
If God ever allowed one of his angels
to come on earth she was that one.
| | adored her. She returned the affec-
ton. / escorted her everywhere, was
at her beck and call mourn, noon aud
night, and 1t was currently believed
that Miss Blank and ] we're engaged.
I had to return to London on busi-
ness, and when | went back to BrIgh-
ton she was gone.
"Three months after | met her at
hall She had lust finished a waltz
with tall, good looking man, and
was promenadng the hall on his arm.
She recognized me. But when l said,
How do you do, Miss Bank?' she
quickly replied:
"I'm we'll, Mr.. Lawson, but | am
surprised to hear you call me Miss
Blank. When you left Brighton SO
suddenly l thought l should never
see YOU again. You left no address
never called again, and we'll, l am
married
ITO whom?' gasped.
ITO Mr.. Prize, pointing at the same
time to the gentle man with whom she
had been dancing.
"That ended my life. My Marie,
my dream was gone. l left the hall,
ent to low gambling place, and in
drink and gambling endeavored to
kill my grief. 1t lasted but little
time, for in four months l was penni-
less.
"Then came my trial. The men
who played with me Stunned me.
My friends shut their doors, and a
few days later my last sove,ign was
gone. I was utterly stranded, home
less and unhappy as it would be pos
sible to make a human being For
nights I slept in the cabmen's coffee
houses. Then I was considered nui =
sance and some doorsteps served me
for a bed. l pawned every trinket,
decent suit of clothes-everything,
and finally I spent three months in a
k-house under an assumed name.
lit was there the presence of Marie
haunted me again. One day-Christ-
mas day-we we're at dinner. Several
rich people came to distribute among
us such gifts as tobacco, warm cloth
ing &c. | was hungry and didn't
look at the visitors, when suddenly a
voice l knew said to me: MY good
man. would you prefer some warm
clothing, or some pipes. I looked up.
1t was Marie I rushed from the
table out into the fields, and there l
was found, hours after, inse.sible.
"[n my bed, there in that work
house hospital. l wrote the words of
the song you hear me sing to day.
Then 1 got we'll, and sick of the life,
I left the place and became night
watchman at some new buildings they
were putting up in Aldergate street.
While there the music of my song
came to me. got scrap of manu-
script music paper and jotted it down,
and for time was happy. My old
friends often passed me at night, jolly
and careless, little dreaming that
James Lawson was the DOOR night
watchman who answered their indolent
questions.
"often, when all was still, I poured
out my soul in this little song, and
after a while the night gamlns used to
come in and listen to me. 1t pleased
them. To me it brought back the
memory of dead love and a ruined
life. But you are firing of my story.
There is little more to tell.
II could not endure the solitary
meditation of my past. l again be-
gan to drink. I lost my situation,
and as last resort l thought that
perhaps my song was worth a few
shillings, and brought it to Mr.. Tur
ner."
At this the poor fellow burst into
tears. When he was himself again
they went out, and a few minutes
after Mr.. Turner, addressing Lawson,
said:
"Mr. Lawson, here is ten sLillings.
1t will be enough to get your supper
and decent room tonight. To NOR
row morning I want you to call here
and l shall give you good position
in my warehouse. AS for your song,
! want you to remember this, If you
keep sober l will pay you good roy
altv hut If Won snend this ten shill