Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-10-14
Mistellaneons.
THE WHITE APRON.


1t might be a curious question worth ask
ing and asceriaining, of persons whose names
are famous in history or prominent among
the heroic traditions of war, how largo is
the proportion composed of those who have
greatness thrust upon them, compared to in
dividuals who, by the virtues of true cour-
age, perseverance,, boldness and sagacity,
have achieved it for themselves.
1t is at all events one that rises to the
mind after. hearing the story of Johanna
Stegin, fortunate milkmaid of Luneberg,
who, by no particular efforts of her own,
save forced compliance, rose to fame, ul-
innate elevation in rank, and extreme pros
perity.
In 1918, the French, greatly to the dis
gust of the conquered, still occupied Lune-
berg. A time, however, was at hand when
the power which deemed self all but omnip-
otcnt, was to totter and presently fall down
amid the well-earned execrations of all Eu-
rope.
But it is the story of the fortunate milk
maid which is the object of this paper, not
the progress and termination of the first
Napoleon's wars.
On the outskirts of Luneborg there stood
then, and very possibly still remains, a little
settlement of mich farm-houses. The in.
habitants of this village, which is called
Grimm, carried on brisk trade by supply
ing the tactical fluid in large quantities to
Lunebcrg, which city depended mainly on
these farms for that important article of diet.
Our heroine, Johana, was employed in one
of these rural daries, and was in short, Just
milkmad and nothing more. Truth com.
pels her biographer to state that there was
little enough of the picturesque in our Jo
hannas personal appearance, that she had
even more than the hucolic attributes of ro
bust health and horid bloom, charms accom-
panied moreover by locks whose rednes,
was fact beyond all contradiction.
But Fate, the mighty, can overcome all
and. for anything we know could make ever
an empress, of short, stout red-haired dai
rY-wOman.
Little indeed Johanna dreamed when
her milk-pails slung from her square shoul
ders-she issued forth on certain morn
ing. the exact date of which the present bi
lographer fairly owns TO have been unable
TO ascertain; little did she dream or thinl
-supposing she was ever in thA habit o
thinking, to which practice, luckily for thei
health and vigor, milkmaids are not prone
that fortune was waiting silly, in no ia
off nook, To invest her with all that the hear
of woman is said--mind, only sdid-to low
best, viz: rank. homage, wealth and fame
BY Johannas side, on that memorable
morning, came forth at the same time, sim
ilarIy laden, being, gentler and fairer
though 10 all likelihood no better nurture'
or cultivated than her compenion. Thi
young person was an assistant dairy-msid
I and in this narative, with the courteou
/ readers leave, shall be called "Caroline,"
These girls were bound on their usual er
rand taking to Luneberg supplies Of ricl
I. creamy fluid. They chatted and sang an'
! laughed on their road from Grimm to Lune
berg, distance of probably not more Lha
mile and half Suddenly, as they wer
nearing the city. Johanna halted
"What dost thou stare at I" says Canolin
Z in her gutteral German. II see nothing.
Ich sshe niehts.
"Cant hear neither, perhaps" answere
Johanna, raising her hand and pointing.
And now indeed Caroline heard shar