The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-04-22
THE MILLER's MAID


Near the hamlet Of UdorGon the thanks Of
the Rhine, rot far from Bonn, there yet stands
the mill which was the scene ofthc following
adventure:
On Sunday morning, the miller and his
family set out us usual TO attend service at
the nearest church in the village of lleasei,
leaving the mill, TO which tho dwelling house
was attached, IN charge ofllis scryau, "iaid,
Hunchen, bold hearted girl, who had been
some time in his service. The youngest
child, who was still too lille to 50 to clurch,
remained also under her care. .- -..
AS Hanchen was busiiy engaged in pre-
pairing diuner for the family, she was inter
rupted by n visit from her ndmirer, Heinrich
Botleler: he was an idle, grnceess fellow,and
her master, who knew his character well had
forbidden him the house; but lIanchen could
not believe all the stories she had heard a.
gainst her lover, and was sincerely attached
TO him. On this occasion she greeted him
kindly, and not only got him something 10 eat
at once, but found time in the midst of her
business, TO sit dowa and have Il gossip with
him, while he did justice to The fare set before
him. As he was eating lie let fall his knife,
which he asked her 10 pick up for him; she
playiuly demonstrated, telling him she fear
ed, from all she heard, he did little enough
work, aud ought al least wait upon himself;
III lilG GHu, HOhtNtIs BIG SlbOllCu bOhu ~
pick up The knife, when the ,reacherous vii
liam drew dagger from under his coat, and
caught her by the nap of her neck, gripping
her throat firmly with his fingers TO prevent
her screaming; then, with an oath, he desired
her TO tell him where her master kept his
money, threatening TO kill her if she did not
comply with his command. The surprised
and terrified girl in vain attempted TO pTrley
with him: he still held her tightly in his cholt-
ing grasp, leaving her no other choice but TO
die or betray her master. She saw there
was no hope of soilening him or changing his
purpose, and with full conviction of his
trcachery, all her native courage woke in her
bosom. Affecting however, TO yield TO what
was inevitable, she answered him, in a re-
signed tone, that what must be, must; only if
he carried off her masters gold, he must take
her with him TOO; for she could never stay TO
hear their suspicious and rcpronches, entreat-
ing him at the sumo time, TO relax his grasp
of her throat, for she could hardly speak,
much less do what he bid her, while he held
her so tight. At length he was induced 10
quit his hold, on her reminding him that lie
must lose no time or the family would be re-
turning from church. She then led the way
to her masters bedroom, and showed him
the Golfer where he kept his money. 'IIere,"
she said, reaching to him an axe, which lay in
the corner of the room, "yon can open il win
this, while Irun up stairs to put all my things
together, besides the money i have saved
since have been here"
Completely deceived by her apparent read
mess to enter into his plans, he allowed her
to leave the room, only eXhorting her to be
quick as possible, and was Immediately alb
sorbed in his own operations; first opening
the box, and then disposing Of the money u
bout his person. In the mean willie Han
chen, instead ofgomg up stairs to her own
room, crept softly along several passages TIL
she again reached her masters chamber II
was the work of a moment 10 shut and bolt
the door upon him, and this done, she rushed
out TO the outer door of the mill to give the u
larn. The only being in sight was her mas
ter's little boy child of five years DID, to him
she called with all her might, "Run, riin 10
meet your father as he comes from church:
tell him we shall alfbe murdered If lie does
not come back" The frightened child did
as she bid him, and set off running on the
road she pointed out
Somewhat relieved by seeing that the child
understood her, and would make her case
known, she sat down for a moment on the
stone seat before the door,and full of conllicl-
ing emotions of griefand thanktilness for her
escape she burstinto Tears. But ut this mo-
mcnt shrill whistle AROUSED her attention:
il was from her prisoned Heinrich, who op-
ening,the grated window. aboye her head,
shouted out TO some accomplish without to
catch the Child that was running away so fast
and TO kill the girl. lanchen looked around
in great alarm but saw no one. Tile child
still continued to run with all his might, aud
she hoped that it WIS but a false alarm 10 ex-
cite her and overcome her resolution, when
just as the child reached hollow in tie next
field, (,be .chnpuel Of natural drainA -lesaw