The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-01-27
NEW POSTAGE RATES.
MAUD MULLER.
From the National Era. December 26.
BY JOHN q. wHITTILE.

Dpcpmhpr
by JOHN g. wHITTIIc.
Maud Muller. on SUMMER dav.
Raked the meadow sweet with hay
Beneath her torn hat glowc,i the wealth
W simple beauty and rustic health.
Singing. she wrought and her merry cleo
Ihe mock-biri echoed from every tree.
But when She rlanced ~ the f,r-oif TOWN
White from it' hIll->lope looking down,
The sweet song died. and vague unrest
Ana nalnelc's longing filled her breast
wish. that she hardly daro.l .o owr.
For something better than She had known.
The Judge rode slowly down the lane.
Smoothing his horse, chestnut name
lie drew his bride beneath he shade
VI The apple trees, to greet the maid,
And ask draught from the spring that flowed
through the meadow, across the road.
She stopped where the cool spring bubbled M
And filled for him her small tin cup,
And blushed aS she gave IT, lookinr down
On her feot ~ bare and her tattcrcd Gown.
Thanks. >aid the Judge, n sweetcr drauch,
From 4 fairer hand wa, never quailed."
lie spoke Of the rra-- and HE flowers and trees
vi the >n!.'ns s.i;-l .>..i .i,4 h..,.,,-.:.- 49,
He talked oftllc having and wondered Whether
lhe cloud IN the west would bring tou. weather
And Maud forgot her hrier torn GOWN.
And her graceful ankles bare and brown:
n 1;.tl, l,o1
Looked from her long la>hc,! hazel ewes.
At last, ike one who for DELAY
Seeks vain excuse he rode away.
Maud Muller looked and sighed "Ah me,
That the Judges bride might be-
. He would dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and toast me at hi, wine
MY father should wear a broadcotl, coat.
Ny brother should sail painted boat
''rd dress my mother 50 grand and cay.
And the baby should have new tov each dav
"And Ill fes,l the hhpfv aud clothe The poor,
And all should bless me who lett our ,nnr"
The Judge looked back 81, he climbed the hill
And saw Maud Muller standing still.
Neer hath it been my lot to meet.
'And her modest answer ami graceful air
Show her wise ana good As She is fair
Nv Would she were mine and to-Iav
Like her, a harvester Of hay:
mo doubtful balance of rights and wrongs.
Nor weary lawyers with endless tongues
'But low Of cattle an! song Of birds.
And health and qniet and loving words"
BtIt he thought of his sister proud and cold.
AMI his mother, vain OF iIcr rank and gold.
SO closing his heart the Judge rode on.
And Maud was lett in the field alone.
But the LAWYERS smiled that afternoon.
When lie hunmed i'll court an old love tune;
And the young girl musel beside the well.
l Ill the rain on the lnrakcd clover fell.
He welded a wife ofrchc,t DOVER.
VINO lived for fashion II he for power
let Oft. in his marble hearth, bright glow.
lie watchcda picture come and 90;
And sweet Maud Muller's hazel ewes
Looked out in their innocent surprise.
Vit when the wine in his glass was red
lie F9ngcl for the wavside wei! instead;
And closed his ewes ON hi. ,,rnisheL rooms.
10 dream o. meadows and clover blooms.
And the proud man sighed. with secret pain:
An, that were free again
Free as when rode that lav,
Where the barefoot maiden raked the hav."
She welded man unlearnei and poor,
q
ana many Children played round her door.
nut care and sorrow. and childbirth pain
Left their traces On heart and brain
And OFT when the summer sun shonc hot
Oh the new-lnown hay in the meadow lot,
And she heard the little sprinc brook fall
over the roadside, through the wall.
In the shade oftle apple tree again
She saw rider draw hi> rein.
And, gazing down with a tnid grace.
one lel' his pleased eye, read her face.
Somefrncs her narro " kitchen walls
Stretched away into stately halls;
ne weary wheel TO n spine. turned,
lhe talOw candle an astral burned
And for him who sat by the chirnnev-luc.
Doz'ng and grunlbling DER pipe and mug,
manly form at her SIDE she saw.
AND JOY was duty and love and law.
lhen she took up her burden Of life again.
Saying only, 1T might have been
Alas for maiden. ala, cor Judge.
for rich replner and household drudge,
liod pity them both. and pity II, all.
Who valny the dreams of youth recall.
For ofall sad words Of tongue or pen.
lhe saddest are these: Il; might have BEEN
An, well. for Us some swee: hope lies
Deeply buried from hu.ntl, ewes:
And, in the hereafter. angel, may
koll the stone from lis grave away.