Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-05

uOu tuittS VI 10 uuSUtN
chine. moved by the mightier spirit Of man.
1t moves only at his willard all is life and
tnrnoil-and when it stops, we know the
rn'' II spirit is not tI,ere-the waters rush no
mcrn. ',,e torrent Of life is dried up-it is !
MATS autobiography.
Perhaps I may be accused ola norbidiiy
of sentiment is this. I believe mucl, is due
to the romantic and retired situation in which
we stood. In this fair spot, the fairy region,
and al the glowing hour Of evening, | was
persuaded some tale was attached to the ru.
ms we we're contemplating and inquired
Of my guide the history Of that desolate spot
amidst so much beauty. He seated himself
by my side and with grave and mysterious
Silent Mill.
Al thu time when the celebrated Thirty
Years War laid waste and revaged our faith
er-land, there came into these pats-which
from their position, surrounded on all sides
by mountains, far from any public road, and
as, il were, shielded from the horrors and
desolation Of war-a stranger. More than
fifty years had passed over his head, but he
was not bent by his years, on the contrary
his carriage was erect, and indicative of
strength. He was sometimes seen with the
noble proprietor of these lands, whose race
is now extinct, and whose hereditary mail
sion is this day in ruins. At length the stran-
ger engaged workmen, and upon the spo, be-
fore us he caused IA building TO be erected
tina. which you sec-a mill, kept in play by
the waters from the higher mountains, which
became the resort of all the neghborng mil
lers. The stranger lived in seclusion. He
conducted the work almost with his own
hands, he formed intimacies will, no ono,
and was sparing with his words in his inter-
course with others. Still no one accused
him of pride. His demcanor was measured,
but net forbidding; and his unaffected man
ners and simple dress, his integrity in word
and deed united with natural dignity, could
not fail to secure him the respect of ALL
The occupation he had chosen was however
considered as not consistent with his real sta
lion Of life; yet no one gave expression to
this general sentiment, and it was not long
bcfsrc Zee received visits from, the surround
ing gentry. .
The solitude Of the stranger was shared
by daughter, child Of tender age. ! am,
said my guide smiling, TOO old to find words
glowing enough to describe the beauties of
women, especially young ones, but truth re-
| p"ir"c, and tho, "'"s. suffice. that should
say Maria was the maicl,less beauty of her
day. Tradition still relates how the gentle
Maria looked with her gold head-plaie fixed
upon her raven tresscs, her black velvet bod
dice and silver chains and her scarlet mantle
falling in thousand graceful folds around
her fawn-lke fgum-ller ewes like spark
ling stars, and her cheeks rivalling roses in
loveliness. When Maria spoke she opened
every heart, and when on holiday she Sat
under yonder fir trees, to listen in duuful
obedience to the words Of her father, then the
throng from hill and dale returned TO their
homes as il they had been in the presence OF
a being Of another world-for numbers came
from far and near TO catch glimpse Of the
lovely stranger. Yet the boldest of the
youths had never dared TO speak to her hui
ofihe ordinary topics of civility. Thus pas
sed some years. Beyond this region slerr
war contrasted lis ravages with the peace o.
this blissful spot. Maria became taller, and
even more beautiful. till at length it was the
common observation of all that 'cllange
had come Ger the spirit OF her DREAM She
was less communicative, and became thought,
ful. The father, too, visited more frequent
" at the castle, where he seemed 10 Ilav,
n,rplen, and secret interviews. and his bear
ins ,nw ,rdS his oil friends at the mill sens
hi, changed. Some thou ut that his ancirn
pride had been awaked, and that he purpns
cd quitting his occupation, and everything
combined u lead 10 The conclusion that ii,
. stranger was some person Of distinction, win
in those fearful times had become comprom
ised, AMI the victim fpersecmion-his nan,
and rank must, Of course have been know
to the nObleman at the castle. Many wer
the surmises; some imagined that the Lowell
Maria was in some way or other tho cause
Alas my tale will cxpound all. There is
time in woman's life, said the shepherd. win,
! all previous, impressions become absorbed, f.,
@ one sole object, and all considerations {
worldly interest give way and this is, whe
$ love first land with woman forcver) poin
! out the man distined for her by Heaven.
But no, only had the person have spe
>, ken Of undergone changes, bu, the scene I,
y self Of their soOurn was doomed 10 share III
, fate Of all. II was about the time of equine,
. when storms and rains assaulted without mel
cy that solitary dwelling, and rendered il sa
: and untena BILE. The mountain torrent b.
y came swollen-the waery flood came roa
!. ing down and poured with irresistible force
y this valey-thc mill was forced round vii
- :. such whence that tho walls were shaken
:. their foundation, and the howl and turmo
- Of the tempest reverberated among the hill
n The storm every hour increased in fury, ii
at length the roof flew with the winds, an
\ the gates burst open. Horror struck, ar
;. alone, rushed forth the devoted Maria; h
y white garments Aoated in tho wind. Wi
:" the little strength left her she called for asst
e. lance. Alas it was too near-,here WI
y one urged by the sacred and resis,less in
- pulse of love had Just reached the SPOT,
NJ another moment Maria was in his arms.
!" was her lover. But he was a peasan
:. Yes, that short moment Of bliss was her
:. Locked in this entrance, they were mnco
= scio"s of the pel,ing storm TO all extern
objects they were alike dead. In anoth
moment red glare from tor ch iluminat,
the spot. and an iron hand had seized {,