Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-05-02
C5e 4amilp GyiirtIe.
T'HE DEVILS MILL.
BY t. D. WILKINS.

tracted into the channel of the Detroit
river, may be seen the remains of the stone
towers of two old mills situated some dis
lance from each other while behind one
of these there are the ruins of house
which probably was the miller's habita-
ton. Many years ago, under the old
French REGIME, these mills were possessed
by two young men by the name of Pierre
Manton and Louis St. Mar. The former
owned the mill that was situated on the
farthest end of the point, and whose sails
met the breath of the northeast winds
that swept down from the lake, and kept
them continually in motion, while the mill
of the latter, being on less favorable
position for encountering the blasts, went
slowly, and sometimes was for weeks idle,
while that of Manton drove successful
business in grinding the grist brought by
the farmers from all directions to be
ground at the mill. The consequence was
that while Pierre Manton was growing
richer and richer every day, St. Mar was
poor and discontinued, and was continu-
ally cursing fortune for bestowing on his
rival SO large proportion of her gifts,
while she left him almost destitute.
On the shore of the Detroit river, not
far from the lake, lived wealthy and
prosperous farmer by the name of Della
main, who possessed among.his other rich
es, daughter Of comely face and figure,
who was the admiration of many Of the
young gallants Of the day. Strangely
enough, among her other admires were
the two millers. Manton and st. Mar, ri
walls both in business and love. But as
the former was successful in his business.
so also, was he in his counting. Having
manly form and easy address, he soon
won favor in the eyes of the damsel, and
her father, looking as fathers often do, at
the worldly concerns Of their future sons
in-law, saw that he was the most thriving
miller in the country, and the wealthiest
of his daughters suitors, and therefore
encouraged him to pay his addresses to
her with much hope of success.
One evening, as Louis St. Mar was sit
ting alone in his mill, watching the swing
ing arms of that of his rival, as they re-
VOWED merrily before the favorable winds,
while those of his own were remaining
still and idle, he murmured SADLY on his
luck, thinking over all misfortunes, and
how his hand had been discarded by the
object Of his love for that of his more for
tunate neighbor, and his mind being work
ed up by these gloomy thoughts to a point
OF desperation, he vowed a most solemn
VOW, that if the devil would prosper him
IN his business, and give to him the for
tune Of his rival, both in love and in wealth,
ne would agree to give him absolute pos
session of his body and soul in twenty
years. Scarcely had he uttered this rash
and untfinking vow, TRAN u furious blast
rushed through the mill, and Louis was
Frustrated senseless upon the floor When
he recovered his senses, he arose, and saw
lying on the table beside which he he had
been sitting, scroll of parchment, upon
which, In clear and distinct hand were
written these words, 7" Your offer is taken.
remember your VOWS"
From that day, south-westerly winds
prevailed, and the once idle-wings of the
mill caught the breath of the breeze, and
swept round in haste, as if striving to
make up for the time lost in former years,
while the mill Of Manton, once busy, now.
by the unfortunate change of winds be-
come idle, its arms hung listess in the air,
and even when the northeast blasts blew,
they only came to break the arms, or do
damage to the machinery to which they
once brought their inspiring life. The
farmers of the neighborhood, seeing this
strange change of affairs transferred their
favors from Manic to St. Mar, and brought
their loads of grain to be ground at the
thriving mill of the latter, while old Della
main, perceiying that Louis was growing
richer, while Manton was becoming poor
er every day, began to see much less worth
| in the once favored sutton of his daugh-
ter's hand. while she actually received
him coldly when he came on his accus-
toned visits, and gave her affections to
the now prosperous St. Mar.
Manton, seeing everything going against
him, and his fairest and dearest hopes be-
ing dashed to pieces, became idle and
moody, forgot the little business that was
left to him, and spent his time in wander
ing around far from the habitations of
men, keeping company with his own heavy
thoughts One day, while he was out on
the lake in his boat, pursuing the black
duck, the favorite game Of the French in
habitants, storm arose, and being una
BILE to manage his fail craft, he was driv-
en- by the windssfar-fr from land, and over
whelmed by the waves, and drowned.-
After his death was known by his body
being washed ON shore, St. Mar bought
his mill, and soon after was united in mar
riage to the maiden whose hand he had
long sought.
For many years they lived happily and
peacefully together, and being now pos
sessed of two mills, every wind brought
them increasing wealth upon its wings,
and Louis was looked upon by the sur
rounding farmers as one of the wealthiest
and most prosperous men of the land
Years passed away, and children were
born to Tighten the home of the rich mil
Ter, and fortune, it would seem, never
could find blessings enough to bestow
upon him; but yet, Notwithstanding all
these combined influences to make him
happy, he was morose and sad and there
seemed to be some heavy load weighing
upon his heart, some hidden care that he
could never Danish from his mind, and
which intruded upon all his thoughts and
embittered all his enjoyments. He be-
came very religious, made large gifts to
the church, and every Sunday might be
seen, with his wife and children journey