The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-05-11
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MAUD MULLER.

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MAUD MULLER.
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- BYJ. WHITTIER. ea e t1.a
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MAUD MULLER, on q summers day,
Raked the rnesdow sweet with hay.
Beneath her torn bat glowed the wealth
Of,irnple beauty and rustic health. 49,
Singing she wrought. and her merry glee.
The mock bird echoed frem every tree.
But when she glanced to the far-off town,
White from the hill-slope looking down., -
The sweet song died. and vague unrest,
Aud q nameless longing filled her breast
A wish that she hardly dared to oyn,
For something better than she had known.
The Judge rode slowly down the lane. asA
Smoothing his horses chestnut name.
he drew his bride in the shade
OF the apple trocs. to greet the maid.
And AJAX drznght from the spring that flowed
Through the meadow. across the road.
She stopped where the cool spring dubbed up,
And filed for him her small. tin cup.
And blushed as she gave it. looking down
On her feet so bare and her tsttered gown.
Thanks" said the Judge: "a sweeter drau ght
From fsiror hand was never quaffsd.
He spoke o: the grass and flowers and treee,
OF the singing birds and the humming bees
Then talked Of haying. and wondered whether
The cloud in the west would bring foul weather
Till M&,d forgot her brisr-torn gown.
A nd Graceful nj 1ps hara and brown
And listened. while pleased surprise -
6toie from her long.lash, d hazel eyes.
AZ Last. like one " no for delay gFaEl
Seeks 9 vain excuse. he rode away.
Maud Muller looked and sighed "Ah mel
That the Judges bTils nignt be
"Hs would dress me up in silks SO fine.
And praise and toast me at his vine
"My father should wear broadcloth coat;
Ny brother should sail painted boat
aid dreSa my mothe, so grand and gay.
And the baby should have . new toy each day
"And I'd feed the hungry and clothe the poor
And ell should bless me who left our door,
The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill,
And cav Maud Mlsller standing still.
"a form more fair. q face more sweet,
Nt'er hath i been my lot to meet
Aud her modest answer and graceful air,
show her wise and good as she is fair.
Would she were mine, and to-day,
Like her harvester of hay
mo doubtful balance of rights and wrongs,
Nor weary lawyers with endless tongues
"But low of cattle and song of birds.
nd haal md ~ nd lovi 10
But he thotfght Of his sister, proud and cold,
And his mother, vain of her rank and gold.
SO, closing his hesrt. the Judge rode on,
And Maud was left in the field alone.
But the lawyers smiled that afternoon.
For he hummed in the court an cid love tune
And the young girl unused hesne the well,
Till the rain on the uIraked clover fell.
He welded wife ofrichest DOVER,
Who lived for fashion as he for power.
Yet oft in the marble hearths bright glow,
dewatched picture come and go;
And sweet Maud Mullar's hazel eyes,
Looked out in their innocent surprise. 3
on when the wine in his cup was red.
He longed for the wayside well instead;
And closed his eyes on the gsrnished rooms.
To dream of meadows and clover blooms;
Till the proud man sighed with secret pain,
"Ahl would that were free again
"Free as I was when I rode that day,
Where the barefoot maiden raked the hay"
She welded man unleaned and poor,
And many children plsyed ronnd her door;
But care and sorrow and child birth pain,
Left fhosr q,
Aud oft VIXEN the summer sun shone hot,
On the new-mown hay IL the meadow lot,
And she heard the little spring brook fail,
Over the roadside. through the wall
In the shade of the apple trees again
She saw rider draw his rem;
And g;1ing down with a timid grace,
She felt his pleased eyes read her face.
Sometimes her narrow kitchen walls
Stretched away into stately halls.
The weary wheel to spinnet turned,
The tallow candle am astral burned;
And for him who sat at the chimney-lug,
Joking and grumbling Ger pipe and mug; e
A manly form at her side she saw,
And joy was daty and love was law.
Then she took up her burden OF life again,
Saying only 1T might have beenr' ~ -
Alss fer maiden: alas for Judge
For rich repiner and household drudgei
God pity them both and pity US all,
Who Yainly tbs dream. of youth recall 80
For of all sad words of tongue or pen, -
The sad6est are these " 1t might have been p
All. well for US all some sweet hope lies,
Deeply buried from human eyes 81
And IN che hereafter. angels may
Roll the stone from its grave away. ~
How is it that the trees can put on q new
dress without opening their trunks ?
Itisi5eczuse they leave eat their surnmer's
clothing.