Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-07-18
won't you let me have drinkf I want

could not have. Finally, the two went
into the Ship and Turtle dining-rooms,
and over chocolate and sirloin steak, the
author of Ever of Thee" told the fol-
lowing story:
II was once rich, Mr. T. You
know what am now. You were 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 I
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"
T interrupted him at this point,
and indicated that it was growing late.
"Please bear with me-" rejoined his
companion. "Let me tell you how and
why composed the little song. Two
years ago / met girl in Brighton. II
God ever allowed one Of His angels to
come on earth she was that one.
adored her. She seemed to return the
affection. ! escorted her everywhere,
was at her beck and call morn, noon
and night, and it was currently be-
lieved that Miss Blank and l were en-
gagged. had to return to London on
business, and when l went back to
Brighton she was gone.
''Three months later met her at a
ball She had just finished waltz with
tall, good-looking man, and was prom.
enading the hall on his arm. She
recognized me. But when said, How
do you do, Miss Blank?' she quickly re.
piled:
81 am we'll, Mr.. Lawson, but / am
surprised to hear you call me Miss
Blank. When you left Brighton SO
suddenly thought should never see
you again. You left no address-never
called again, and--well, am married.
ITO whom?' l gasped.
"'To Mr.. Prize she replied, pointing
at the same time to the gentleman with
whom she had been dancing.
THAT ended my life. My Marie, my
dream, was gone. left the hall, went
to low gambling place, and in drink
and gambling endeavored to kill my
grief. 1t lasted but little time, for in
four months was penniless.
"Then came my trial. The men who
| played with me Stunned me. My
friends shut their doors, and few days
later my last sovereign was gone. l
was utterly stranded, homeless, and un-
happy as it would be possible to make a
human being. For nights slept in the
cabmen's coffee-houses; then was con-
sidered a nuisance, and some doorstep
served me for bed. / pawned every
trinket, decent suit Of clothes-every
thing, and finally spent three months
in work-house under an assumed name,
sit was there the presence of Marie
haunted me again. One day-Christmas
Day-we were at dinner. Several rich
people came to distribute among Ut
such gifts as tobacco, warm clothes, etc
l was hungry and didn't look ut the
visitors, when suddenly voice said t.
me:
my good man, which would you
prefer, some warm clothing or som,
pipes and tobacco?' l looked up. l
was Marie. rushed from the table
out into the fields, and there l wa
found hours after insensible.
''In my bed, there in that worl.hous,
hospital, wrote the words of the SOM
you heard me sing to-day. Then GO
we'll, and, sick of life, left the plac,
and became night Waterman at som,
new buildings that were putting up il
Aldersgate street While there tn
music of my song came to me. got
scrap of manuscript music paper an,
jotted it down, and for time l wa
happy. My old friends often passed m
at night, jolly and careless, littl
dreaming that James Lawson was tn
poor night Waterman who answere
their indolent questions.
! 'Often when all was still ] poure
out my soul in this little song, an
after awhile the night gamins used t
come and listen to me. 1t pleased then
) To me it brought back the memory Of
dead love and ruined life. But 70
: are firing of my story. There is littl
more to tell.
81 could not endure the solitary met
3 itation of my past, ] again began I
. drink. lost my situation, and as las
resort thought that perhaps my littl
T song was worth few shillings an
brought 1t to Mr.. Turner"
At this the fellow burst into tear
Q When he was himself again they wer
out, and few minutes afterward M
Turner, addressing Lawson, said:
mr.. Lawson, here is ten shilling
, It will be enough to get your supp'
!. and decent room tonight. To-mo
u row morning want you to call her
> and shall give you good position
my warehouse. AS for your song,
y want you to remember this: If yo
y will keep sober | will pay you a GOO
royalty, but if you spend this ten shi
Is lings in drink not another penny wi
Q you get"
! Lawson left the shop, and did nj
y make his appearance for five day
. Then he was in condition almost
). bad as when he first entered it. II
II vest was gone; his boots were @
changed for old ones; his has--well,
70 was an apology for hat. His coat "a
y old one) was buttoned tight around h
y collarless neck, and his hair was IL
kempt and face unshaven-as uncle;
y as he was five days ago. Mr.. Turn
Is looked at him. He did not even spes
o. to him. The smell of bad rum SUI
p GENTLY told him all he wished to kno'
Z He took half-crown from his poke
T. handed it to Lawson, and turned on h
a heel. Addressing Mr.. T, he sal
N If this man comes here again, put hi
III out"
40 The composer of Ever of Thee" il
mediately left the shop, and Heav,
III only knows what his fate has bee