The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-02-05
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MAUD MULLER
BY JOHN @. WHITTIER.


Beneath her torn hat glowed the wealth
OF simple beauty and rustic health.
Singing, she wrought, and her merry glce
The mock bird echoed from his tree.
But, when she glanced to the far flown,
While from its hill slope looking down;
The sweet song died, and vague unrest,
And a nameless longing filled her breast
A wish that she hardly dared to own.
For something better than she had known.
The Judgeroda slowly down the lane.
Smoothing his horses chestnut II ane.
He drew his bride in the shade
Ofthe apple-trees to greet the maid,
And asked a draught from the spring that
flowed
Through the meadow across the road
She stopped where the coolsprhg Bubbledup,
And filed for him her small Yin cup.
And blushed as she gave it, looking down
On her feet SO bare and her tattered gown.
"Thanksl'' said the Judge, ga sweeter
draught
From a fairer hand was never quaffed."
He spoke of the grass, and flowers, and trees,
OF the singing birds and humming bees;
Then talked, of haying, and wondered whe-
ther
The cloud in the west would bring foul wealth
er?
And Maud forget her brier torn gown,
And her graceful ankles, bare and brown;
And listened while pleased surprise
Looked from her long dashed hazel eyes.
At last like one who for delay,
Seeks vain excuse, he rode away.
Maud Muller looked and sighed, All, me!
That the Judges bride might be!
He would dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and toast me at his wine.
My father should wear broadcloth coat:
My brother should sail painted boat.
I'd dress my mother SO grand and gay,
And the baby should have new toy each day
And I'd feed the hungry and clothe the poor
And all should bless me who left oul door,"
The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill
Andsaw Maud Muller standing still.
"a form more fair, face more sweet,
Meier hath it been my lot to meet.
And her modest answer and graceful air,
Show her wise and e cd as she is fair.
Would she were mine, and to-day,
Like her, harvester of hay.
No doubtful balance of rights and wrongs,
Norweary lawyers, with endless tongues,
But low of cattle and song of birds,
And health, and quiet, and loving words"
But he thought of his sisters, proud and cole
And his mother vain of her rank and gold.
So, closing his heart the Judge rode on,
And VI aud was left in the field alone.
But the lawyers smiled that afternoon,
Whrn he hummed in court an old love tune
And the young girl mused beside the well,
Till the rain on the unraked clover fell.
He welded a wife of richest dover,
Who lived for fashion as he for power.
Yet oft, in his marble hearts bright glow,
He watched a picture come and so.
And sweet Maud Muller's hazel eyes
Looked out in their innocent surprise.
Oft when the wine in his glass was red,
he longed for the wayside well instead
And closed his eyes on the garnished rooms
To dream of meadows and clover blooms.
And the proud man sighed. with secret pal
"Ah, that we're free again
Free as when rode that day,
Where the barefoot maiden raked her hay y
She welded a man unlearAed and poor,
And many children played round her door.
But care, and sorrow, and childbirth pain,
Left their traces on heart and brain