Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-11-30

as the child reached hollow in the next /
field (the channel of a natural drain |
she saw a ruffian start from the bed of
the drain, and snatching the child in his
arms, FASTENED with him 10 the mill, in |
accordance with the direction of his ac-
complice. In moment she perceived /
the full extent of her danger, and form
ed her plan for escaping it.
Retreatfng into the mill she double
locked and barred and bolied the door,
the only apparent entrance into the build
ing, every other means of obvious access
prevented by strong iron grating fixed
up against all the windows, and then
took her post at the upper easement, de-
termined to await patiently her masters
return, and her consequent delivery from
the dangerous position of her own death
if inevitable; for she was fully resolved
to enter into no terms, and that nothing
should induce her to give up her masters
property into the robbers hands.
She had hardly time to secure herself
in her retreat, when the ruffian holding
the screaming child in his arms, and
brandishing knife in one hand, came up
and bid her open the door, or he would
break it down, adding many fearful oaths
and threats, TO which her only answer
was that she put her trust in God. Hen
rich, who from bis window was a witness
to this colloquy, now called out to cut the
child's throat before her eyes, if she per-
sisted in her refusal.
Poor Hanchen's heart quailed at this
moment. The death of the child could
be no gain to them, while her own death
was certain if she admitted the assailant,
and her master, too, would be robbed.
She had no reason to suppose her COM
pliance would save the life Of the child.
1t was a risk against nothing, and she re-
solved to hold out to the last, though the
villain renewed his threats, saying if she
did not open the door to him, he would
/ kill the child, and then set fire to the mill
over her head. u put my trust in God"
was still the poor girls answer. In the
meanwhile, the ruffian set down the child
for a moment, to look for combustibles to
carry out his threat. In his search he
discovered a mode of entering the mill,
unthought of by Hanchen. 1t was
large aperture in the wall, communicating
with the great wheel and other machine
ry of the mill, and it was point entirely
unprotected, for it had never been con-
templated that any one would seek to
enter by SO dangerous an inlet. Triumph
ant at this discovery, he returned to tie
the hands and feet of the poor child to
prevent its escape, and then stole back to
the aperture by which he intended to ef-
feet an entrance.
The position of the building prevented
Hanchen seeing anything of this but,
thought struck her. 1t was Sunday, when
the mill was never at work, if, therefore
the sails were set in motion, the whole
neighborhood would know that something
was the matter, and her master would
especially hasten home to know the
meaning of anything SO strange. Being
all her life accustomed to the machinery
of the mill, it was the work Of moment
to set all in motion-a brisk breeze,
which sprang up at once, set the sails
flying. The arms Of the huge engine
whirled around with fearful rapidity !;
the great wheel slowly revolving upon
its axis the smaller gear turned, and
creaked, and groaned, according as the
machinery came into action, the mill was
in full motion.
1t was at that moment that the rufHan
intruder succeeded in squeezing himself
through the aperture in the wall, and
getting himself safely lodged IN the great
drum wheel. His dismay, however was
indescribable, when he began to be whirl-
: ed about with its rotation, and found that
all his efforts to put stop to the power
ful machinery which ser it in motion, or
extricate himself from this perilous stu
alton, were fruitless. In his terror, be
uttered shrieks and horrible imprecations.
: Astonished at the noise Hachen went to
: the spot, and saw him caught ike a
! rat in his own trap, from which it was nc
r part Of her plan to liberate him. She
r knew he would be more frightened thar
{ hurt, If he kept within his rotary prison
without any rash attempts at escape, and
that even if he became insensible, be
E could not fall out Of it.
? In the mean time the wheel went round
G and round with its steady and unceasing
! motion, and round and round be wen
E with it, while sense remained, bessechine