The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-04-25
MISCELLANY.
THE AIILLER'S MAID.

family set out as usual to attend service
at the nearest church in the village OF
Heasel, leaving the mill, to which the
dwelling house was attached. in charge OF
his servant maid Hanchen, bold hearted
girl, who had been some time in his SER
vice. The youngest child, whorrwas still
too little to 60 to church, remained also
under her care.
As Hanchen was busily engaged in
preparing dinner for the family, she was
interrupted by visit from her admirer,
Heinrich Botteler: he was an idle, grace
less fellow, and her master. who know his
character well, had forbidden him the
house; but Hanchen could not believe all
the stories she had heard against her low
er, and was sincerely attached to him.
On this occasion she greeted him kindly,
end not only got HIM something to eat at
once, but found time in the midst of her
business. % sit down d have gossip with
him, while he did justice to the fare SET
before him. As be was eating he let his
knife fall, which he asked her to pick up
for him; she playfully demonstrated, tel
ling him she feared, from all she heard, he
did little enough work, and ought at least
wait upon himself; in the end however,
she stopped down to pick up the knife,
when the treacherous villain drew dag
ger from under his coat; and caught her
by the nape Ct the neck, gripping her
throat firmly with his fingers to prevent
her screaming; then, with an oath, he de-
sired her to tell where her master kept
his money; threatening to kill her if she
did not comply with his command. The
surprisedland terrified girl in vain attempt
ed to parley with him; he still held her
in his choking grasp, leaving her no 9TH
er choice but to die or betray her mas
ter.-She saw that there was no hope Of
soltening him or changing his purpose, &
with full conviction of his treachery, all
her native courage awoke in her bosom
Affecting, however, to yield TO what was
inevitable, sha answered him, in resign
ed tone, that what must be, must; only if
he carried off her masters gold. he must
take her with him too; for she could nev-
er stay TO hear their suspicious and re-
proaches, entreating him at the same 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 TO quit his hold, on
her reminding him that he must lose no
time or The family would be returning
from church. She then led the way to
her masters bedroom, and showed him
the Golfer where he kept the money
Here" she said reaching TO him an axe,
which lay in a corner Of the room, ''yUu
can open it with this, while | run up
stairs to put all my things together, be-
sides the money have saved since | have
been here"
Completely deceived by her apparent
readiness TO enter into his plans, he allow
ed her TO leave the room, only exhortIng
her 10 be quick as possible, and was i'm
medately absorbed IN his own operations:
first opening the box. and then disposing
of the monev about his person. In the
mean while Hanchen, instead Of
going up stairs to her own room, crept
softly along several passages till she again
reached her masters chamber. 1t was
the work of a moment to shut and bolt
the door upon him; and this done, she
rushed out of the outer door of the mill to
give the alarm. The only being in sight
was her masters little boy, child Of five
years old; to him she called with all
her might, "Run, run to meet your faith
err as he comes from church; tell him we
shall all be murdered il he does not come
back" The frightened child did as she
bid him, and set off running OH the road
she pointed out.
Somewhat relieved by seeing that the
child understood her, and would make her
case known, she sat down for moment
on the stone seat before the door. and
full OF conflicting emotions of grief and
thankfulness for her escape she burst into
tears.-But at this moment shrill whis-
tie aroused her attention; it was from her
prisoned Heinrich, who, opening the gra-
ted window above her head, shouted out
TO some accomplice without to catch the
child that was running away so fast and to
kill the girl -Hanchen looked around in
great alarm but saw no one. The child
still continued to run with all his might,
and she hoped that it was but false a.
larm to excite her and overcome her res
olution when just as the child reached a
hollow in the next field, 1.-THE channel Of a
natural drain, she saw ruffian start up
from the bed of the drain, and snatching
up the child in his arms, hasten with him
towards the mill in accordance with the
directions of his accomplice. In a mo-
| ment she nerceiyed the full extent of her
danger, and formed plan for escaping it.
Retreating into the mill, she double
locked and bolted the door, the only ap-
parent entrance into the building, every
other means of obvious access being pre-
vented by strong iron gratings fixed up a.
gainst all the windows, and she took her
post at the upper easement, determined to
await patiently her masters return, and
her consequent delivery from that danger