The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-01-19
Maud E,|aI:


Maud HEal:..
DY JoIS G. N'.i:....s.
Maud Muller. on a summers :y,
Naked the meadow sweet with hay
Deuc..:, her torn hat glowc.l the wealth
@. simple beauty and rustic health.
Sinsi.g {. she wrought. AMI her merry Gee
The ~ ci;-Lirl cc!:ae,l from every tree
But, w!ca she glancel to the fr.o:f town,
White from its hill-s!"les looking do;.n,
The sweet song died, ami Il vague unrest
Aud n n,mcless longing filled her breast
a wish, that she hardly dared to own,
For something better than she had known.
The Judge rode slowly down the lane,
Smoothing his horses chestnut name.
lie drew lis bride in The shade
OF the a:'p,e-tree, to greet The maid,
And ask n draught from the spring that flowed
Through the meadow, across the road.
She stopped where the cool spring bnbhlel up
And filled for him her small tin cup.
And hlushed As she gave it, looking down
On her feet So bare. ard her ta,trrcl gown.
"ThanEsl' said the Judge, 'a swcctcr dra,i-L,
From f;.ircr hand was never qua:fct.
Hespo!ie of the grass and flowers and trees,
Of the singing birds, and hunmn., bees:
Then tnIkel of the haying. and wondered
whether
The clouds in the west would bring foul weather.
And Maud forgot her briar-torn -nwn
And her graceful aiic.ej bare and brown;
AND listened, while pleased surprise
Looked from her longashel hazel eyes.
At last, like one who for delay
Scras n vain excuse, he rode away.
Maud Muller looked an! sighed. ".th me,
That the Judges bride might be!
Gle would dress Inc mp in silks so fine,
And praise and toast ME at his wine.
a. !at!.er should wear a brondc,o,h cont;
81 ..c:;!;cr should sail Il painted boat.
'I'.i :iv:.s my m";'l,: so "la.',, ani cav,
1ad ;Ic babe s!"u' harC Ii L"w toy cac! day.
"An'! III feed the hungry ant. c'",he the poor,
And a.. should bless vino left our door"
the Jn!ge looked la:ii as he c.i:nhcI :le hill,
And saw -!aud Muller standing still
".t frr!, more t;::r, ~ face ncrc sweet,
>:eer hath it been my lot to meet.
"-An'I her r,.',i"~: :n.w,r =: -:r,c' -rl air
S::owLer w:se ~: :. d IS =, :?
~ .Uii sic W.: 1lc. ct. -,
Like her, - l;rvc-rr. Ii a.:
-, o Gou"t!: IL. ;....'r q! -. ''..,..:l
Nor weary i'w,< 81, ":.;i 60. ....-;
But low Of cuitr .!a.i >".: -. j..
Ard health u;G 4,..sr ..,.. .n....:: '.......
Trt &c thought Of his sister; p:ou.: . ,...},
And his mother, vu.:. .! h.r .:.. K ....l .,u.,:.
So. closing his hear, The J.,lg" r"l, oa.
hnL .,iGuI w:s left IN the !!,J uonc
But the lawyers smiled that af;,r.oon.
" hen lie hutirIn": i. trnr: a:i old !ovc tune
and the young Gr; na'ls"l I,s,ie III well,
I'LL the rain Oh the uErni. ".nvcr fell
l!c w"1lcd n wife "f =. ;, ,.9wcr,
Who lived Or fashion, IL, t.. for newer
Yet oft, in his marble hcnrths bright glow,
1e watched picture come and go:
And sweet Mand Mullers hazel eyes
Looked out in their innocent surprise.
OFT, when the wine in his glass was red
iie longed for the waysde we'll instead;
:. d closed his eyes on his garnishcd rooms,
10 dream CT meadows ard clover brooms
And the proud man sighed. with secret pain.
''Ah that were free again!
"Free as when I rode that dav,
Where the barefoot maiden raked the hav"
She welded man unlearned and poor.
And many children played round the door,
But care and sorrow. and childbirth pain.
Left their traces on heart and brain.
EAgd oft, when the summer sun shone hot
0nthe new mown hay in the meadow lot,
And she beard the little spring brook fall
( Overthe 'foadsidc, through the wall.
., In the shade Of the apple-tree ayoin.
= She saw cider draw his rein,
And. gazing down wifi timid grace.
She felt his pleased syss read. her face.
Sometimes hernaroy Kitchen wall,
Stretched away into stately'halls "a. 3 i,
The weary wheel to spinnet turned. Is
The tallow candle an astral burned S e
And for him who sat, by the chinn ey.lue, 81!
Dozilrg and grnmbling o'espipe ard.mug
A manly form at her side che sawy
b Apdjoy was duty and love and law.