The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-05-18
THE MINERS BRIDE.
By ALICE MAY

Tn one Of the mountain districts Of Ger
..,v lived A MILLER His house stood in a
n.r,ow valley, from which the thickly wood
al s;des OF the mountains rose almost perpen
d;culary. In the back ground two ranges
united. forming a sort Of semi circle between
them. and beyond these. another range, whose
mmmits were even in summer covered with
snow, rose to a still greater height.
The house was built after the fashion OF the
country-was spacious and well arranged.
and formed pleasing object IN the landscape
The stone underpinning was about hve feet
in height and on this were laid roughhewn
but well Joined timbers. A balcony, used
for dyeing fax and linen, ran across the
front and round the right side OF the house,
and was accessible from the upper story as
we'll as by means of an outer s'arcase. The
building was surmounted by gable roof held
in its place by stones instead OF nails, and IN
the top a small tower or belfry, from which a
bell gave the summons to the mid day and
evening meals. A mountain stream was
damned up few rods above the house and It's
waters were brought to the mill through a
wooden water course.
The land about the house was unproduc
tive, and no harvest but potatoes could be safe
" reckoned on from it, but higher up the
mountains were rich pastures belonging 10 the
farm. These. protected by the surrounding
woods, yielded ample support in summer to
Gxiy or seventy herd of cattle. A peasant
and his wife occupied a small cottage near by
to take charge of the hocks. and the butter,
cheese, and milk sent by them was held in
high estimation by the visitors a neighbor-
ing bathing place. O.
Everything betokehed the residence OF a
rich. prosperous. and influential yeoman, nor
was th miller unworthy of his position lie
was honorable and upright. always faithful to
his word. and in his manners neither servile
and crinsing to his superior. nor arrogant to
his INTERIORS He wore long coat of the fin
est cloth. red vest fastened with silver buttons
and green suspenders held up his short knee
breecbes Of goat skin His we'll round
ed legs were covered with blue stockings.
Il has been truly said that ambition is found
in the secluded valley as well as in the palace
of the king. and that of the miller centered
in his two children, son and daughter. The
former. after passing some years with the Will
aye priests, went to the capitol and gained
high honors i'll the ministry. When he had
reached the seventh class his mother tell NOR
talv ILL., and on her death-bed exacted sol
emn vow from her son to enter the priesthood.
90 all his attention was henceforth directed to
the necessary preparation. When he left the
eighth class, he entered the theological school.
and then by his talent and industry attracted
the attention of the archbishop who. when
his studies were ended, took him for his own
chaplain. with the promise ofa rich benehce
in the future.
The miller WAS Justly proud Of his son. and
that WAS his only weak point. few words
in praise of his son were sure TO gain the
fathers good will. and did any one expressa
desire for the advice and assistance of the
chaplain, the heart of the miller was open to
him at
But he was no less happy in his daughter
She was the most beautiful maiden IN the val
lev. modest truthful. and mated for her man
agement Of the house. The old man was
somewhat stern. ana held stricter notions OF
propriety than were common IN these regions
where the young people hold free intercourse,
especially when love is once declared. The
miller was supported by his son. who kept up
aconstsnt correspondence with his home, and
was always consulted on all family matters.
The miller had high plans for his daughter.
She should take his property. and marry
prosperous tradesman who would contribute
5 round 10 the establishment, or some
man high in dee. who would give import
some rich landowner, who could unite the
two estates When this took place, he would
Weave the mill 10 the young folks. and himself
retire TO cottage near BY. where he would
shll be at hand with council and assistance.
Bat the old man would not listen TO the idea
OF any meaner match for his beautiful and
well endowed Martha
Martha showed no disposition TO disobey
hsr iaiher's wishes in this respect, and none
OF her many lovers could succeed IN gaining
'he slightest encouragement. A rich. but
vulgar and uneducated merchant from the
neigaboring city. h,.tered himself for some
time with hopes of success. but he WAS by no
means suited 10 the tas,e of the pretty Martha.
who had received good education in an Ur-
suhne convent. and The miller. too. turned ,
cold shoulder on him.
Then came musician about thirty, pale,
bald. and in spectacles. He rode over every
Thursday to sing with Martha, who sat IN the
ehoir In the village church One day the MIL
Ter ieund him. his fiddle in one hand. his bow
IN The other. in the midst OF Passionate dec
arat'on OF love. Martha quietly referred him
- her father. The old man surveyed him
'fom head to foot. shrugged his shoulders.
snook his head and before he said word
ms gestures became so significant that the un
to'eI JaoSei u oest 20 retire ioftn-
WIN, and the lessons were from tbs ;ine dis
continued
:, ihe chief forester also sought her hand
ne WAS \ widower with one child. and report
u ms hrss wife had not lived happy with
I'm His love and his heart were now sort
=. oo!aoeaterskin. capable Of such indefinite
r.s, sns'on' that he had a piece for every pretty
maiden in the valley
Don't be in hurry 10 marry Na,,h.
A'a her father; "the eighth man VIII come az