Year: 1877

"If YOU want to hear Annie Laurie
sung, come to my house tonight, " said
a man to his friend. "We have love
lorn fellow in the village, who was sadly
wrecked by the refusal Of a girl whom he
had been paying attention to for year
or more. It is seldom he will attempt
the song, but when he does, I tell you
he draws tears from eyes unused to
weeping" ,


A small select company had assembled
in a pleasant parlor, and were gayly
chatting and laughing, when tall young
man entered, whose peculiar face and
air instantly arrested attention. He was
very pale, with that clear, vivid COM
plexion which dark haired consumptives
30 often have. His locks were as black
as jet, and hung profusedly upon a
square white collar. His eyes were very
large and spiritual, and his brow such an
one as q poet should have. But for a
certain wandering look, casual observer
would have pronounced him man OF
uncommon intellectual powers. The
words "poor fellow" and show sad he
looks" went the rounds, as he came for
ward, bowed to the company, and took
his seat. One or two thoughtless girls
laughed as they whispered that he was
Glove cracked but the rest treated
him with respectful Difference.


1t was late in the evening when sing
ing was proposed, and to ask him to sing
"Annie Laurie was task OF uncom-
mon delicacy. One song after another
was sung, and at last that one was
named. At it's mention the young man
grew deadly pale, but did not speak; he
seemed instantly to be lost in rererie.


1.-The name of the girl who treated
him so badly was ANNIE" said lady,
whispering to the new guest-"but, oh |!
T wish he would sing it; nobody else can
do it justice"


"No one dare sing Annie Laurie
before you, Charles" said an elderly
lady "would it be too much for me to
ask you to favor the company with p
she asked, timidly.


He did not reply for moment-his
lips quivering little, and then looking
up as if he saw a spiritual presence, he
begun. Every sound was hushed-it
seemed as if his voice were the voice OF
an angel. The tones vibrated through
nerve and pulse and heart, and made one
shiver with the pathos of his feeling ;
never was heard melody in human
voice like that--so plaintive, SO soulful
80 tender and earnest!


He sat with his head thrown back, his
eyes half closed-the locks of dark hair
glistening against his pale temples, his
fine throat swelling with the rich tones,
his hands lightly folded before him and
as he sung


And twas there that Annie Laurie


Gave me her promise true y
it seemed as if he shook from head to
foot with emotion. Many lip trembled
and there was no iesting, no laughing ;
but instead, tears in more than one eye.


And on he sung, and on, holding every
one in wrapt attention, till he came to
the last verse


Like dew on the gowan lying


Is the fa' Of her fairy feet


And like winds in summer signing


Her voice is low and sweet,


Her voice is low and sweet


And she's world to me "


He paused before he added


"And for bonnie Annie Laurie


I'll lay me down and die


There was long and solemn pause.
The black locks seemed to grow blacker
the white temples whiter-almost i'm
perceptibly the head kept falling back
the eyes were close shut. One glanced
at another-all seemed awestruck-till
the same person who had urged MIN to
sing; laid her band gently on his shoulder,
saying:


"Charles, Charles =


Then came q hnsh-a thrill of horror
crept through every frame-the poor
tired heart had ceased to beat-Charles,
the love betrayed, was dead.