The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-06-19

ssrhat ended my life. My Marie, my dream
was gone. | left the hall, went to low
gambling place, and in drink and gambling
underworld to kill my grief 1t lasted but a
littie time, for in four months was penniless
"Then came my trial. The men who played
with me summed me. My friends shut their
doors, and u few days later my last sovereign
was gone. was utterly stranded, homeless
and unhappy as it would DO possible to make
a human being. For nights | slept in the
cabmen's coffee houses; then was considered
nuisance. and some doorstep served me for
a bed. pawned every trinket, decent suit
of clothes-everything and finally sl,eiit
three months in work house under an as
sumed name.
ut was there the presence Of Marie haunt
ed mo again. One day-Christlnas day we
were at dinner. Several rich people came to
distribute among us such gifts as tobacco,
warm clothing, etc. was hungry and didn't
look at the visitors, when suddenly a voice
| knew said to me, My good mani which
would you prefer, some warm clothing or
some pipes and tobaccoF looked up 1t
was Marie rushed from the table out into
the fields, and there was Found, hours after,
insensible.
I'm my bed, there in that workhouse hos
pital, wrote tho words Of the song you heard
me sing today. Then got well, and sick of
the life ! left the place and became night
Waterman at some new buildings they were
putting up in Aldersgate street. While there
the music of my song came to mo- got
scrap of manuscript music paper and jottod
1t down, and for a timo was happy My old
friends often passed me at night, jolly and
careless, little dreaming that James Lawson
was tho poor night watchman who answered
their indolent questions.
soften, 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-
IL pleased them. To me it brought back tho
memory of dead love and a ruined life.
But you are firing of my story There islttle
more to tell
81 could not endure tho solitary medita-
ton Of my past. again began to drink.
lost my situation, and as u last resort
thought that perhaps my little song was
worth few shillings. and brought 1t 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:
HMr. Lawson, here is ten shillings II will
be enough to got your supper and 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. Ii you keep
sober will pay you a good royalty; but if
you spend this ten shillings in drink, not an
other penny will you get
Lawson left the shop, and did not make his
appearance for five days Then ho was in a
condition almost as bad as when he first en-.
tered it. His vest was gone, his boots were
exchanged for old ones, his hat was--well IL
was an apology for hat. His coat Tan old
onel was buttoned tight around his collarless
neck, and his face was unLempt and I'M
shaven, as unclean rs 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 half crown from his pocket, handed
1t to Lawson, and turned on his heel Ad-
dressing Mr. p, no said "If this man
comes hero again, put him out. F"
The composer of Ever of Thee immedi-
ntely left the shop and heaven only knows
what his fate has been. Certain it is that he
never called ut Turner's agaiu.
Men, women and children OF every COLOR
and CLINE sing the song Of tho tramp law
son. And tho composer and his sal life are
song, Ever Of TlIee. English Piper