Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-08-04
THE PROUD MILK MAID,

at the only tavern Of small village in the
merry country Of France. The hoStlers were
busy, taking the harness from the jaded horses
and, amid sundry CALCULATIONS and impatient
exclamatiOns. were exchanging commentaries
upon the rank or profession Of the traveller.
The latter had disappeared with the host, into
the bright, cheerful kitchen, where, in those
days, guests and hosts used to partake tOgeth.
er, Of the Same fare. After giving his orders
for q bountiful repast, and adding that he
wanted il in hurry, as he wished to reach,
before night. large town, somewhat distant,
he sauntcrcd along the street, gazcd Mt by
children. at play, and by the old women. spin
ming in front Of their dwellings, all delighted
to have such an event MS q traveller to discuss.
What figure hc would cut now, to be sure,
with his carefully powdered hair, his three
cornered hat, his bright blue coat, with shin
ing buttons, his buff fkncc-brccches, and buck
led shoes. Ills whole appearance denoted the
rich man; the ruffles on his bosom and wrists
were Of the finest fabric. wide and undulating,
with rare old lace his hands white and small,
showed no signs Of hard work; his step, even,
had that sauntcr and case which tell Of no OG.
legation to hurry, and bespeak the man owner
Of his time. SubServient to no one.
lie wns young man, perhaps not over %.
His clear blue eyes, and fair complexion, show
cd, at glance, his northern origin his feat.
urcs were regular his figure tall and graceful,
and his whele appearance noble.
AS we have already said, the stranger was
quietly walking along the village street, and
soon had reached its last house, prcttily en-.
closed by little garden filled with the tlaunt-
ing blossoms Of the holly hooks and sunilowcrs.
i,rn flln i1sn1c nj n Ia n
"A real old fashioned country lane, mcandcr.
ing among meadows and crossed by bubbling
brooks. all fragrant with the many tinted flow.
ers of the fields, and here and there overarch'
ed by luxuriant pear trees. 1t was near sun.
set the lowing Of the cows and the tinklinS
OF their bells were heard everywhere. The
fields were alive with the boys and girls dIiv-
ing the cattle home. 1t was the cheerful
hour Of the day when every object is tinged
with the brightest shades, and the sun. before
disappearing, turns everything to gold. The
traveller was enchanted. lie had, five days
before, left the noisy and busy city Of Paris,
and ever since hurried through scarce less
busy or less noisy towns. Here, at last, he
could refresh eyes and mind and he was
fcaSting or that inspiration Of country life.
Just as he was returning from the main
road into narrow path running along the
laughing brook, he saw. Gaining across the
meadow, young girl carrying Oh her head O
pail brimming over with milk. She must
have been wonderfully fair and lovely. that
rustic nlk-maid to attract and iivrt the at
tention Of the somewhat bL'se Young man,
used to the beauties of the unriyuled city.
Never had he seen such perfection Vf features
and gracefulncSS Of form.
Her arm, raised to steady the pail poised on
her head, though Sunburnt, was fau!tle>, in
shape. The rounded outlines Of her bust, and
the beauty Of the ankle and foot which neither
shoe nor stocking concealed the noble aud
graceful head, the bright rcd lips and bcaming
eyes nothing escaped the attention and Scru
tiny Of the stranger. lie was at first spell.
bound, little thinking that he should meet
with such rare beauty in such rustic garh,
but soon recovering thought and speech, he
jumped over the low fence that divided the
path from the meadow, and coming up TO the
young girl. he addressed her as in those days
one OF his class in life thought it fit to address
pretty country lass. Ills first words were
not needed, only the girl gave him an aston
'shed and somewhat scornful glance, which
must have enhanced her beauty tenfold, for the
young man expressed his admiration in warm
and plain language, and ventured on some pro-
posalS. which, in his gay life in the capitol, he
had never known to be refused. What must
have been his astonishlnent, when the young
girl, who had not uttered a single word yet,
took the milk phil from her head, and threw
its contents into the young mans face, and
exclaimed: "That'S your answer, impcrtinent
EEow" And leaving him thus delugcd, she
quickly walked Off
There was no further travelling that night ;
nor the next day, nor for many days after.
The energetic answer Of the inSuted girl had
touched vibrating chord in the young man S
heart. From n mere amateurs admiration,
his feelings had turned to respect. 1t was SO
novel an adventure that he resolved to follow
it to an end.
On that very night, after he had announced
his wish to stay at the inn for few days, he
made inquiries about the young girl. She was
well known as the beautiful Petronclle," j." and
better known as the proudeSt girl in the cOun.
try; one to v HON no one dared to offer the
least familiarity, and whose low birth was
hidden under her noble and spOtless character.
Our traveller went to the small farmhouse
where she lived with her old parents-the
youngest of four children, and the only daug-
ter. lie saw her there; heapologizcd to her
he spoke to her with the respect he felt; and
at last, after many parley and discussion
with the Old people, the young girl was taken
to the school OF the neighboring convent,
there to be educated; taught to read and
write, and embrOider in satin-tho three re.
bquiSitcs Of lady's education in those plain
and easy times.
Three years did she Stay there, until the
day she became twenty. On that day, and
by the pastor of the village church, she was
married to the young man whom she once
had so bravely repulSed, and whose patient
and deferential courtship were fully rewarded
by the lovely and rustic bride; they had lost
nothing Of their perfection by being taught
how to shine.
The milkmaid became the wife of the rich
banker, and for many year adorned her hus'
bands table, with native and striking grace
that every one noticed. But very few were
made acquainted with her early life and rather
novel courtShip; she did not wish to become
wonder and a curiosity to her husbands
friends, but to those who had become intimate
enough to be told Of her own native place and
avocaton, she used to say that when she used
to carry the milk.pails and milk her fathers
cows, she felt as high-bred if not as high born,
as the finest lady Of the land. Nature had
made her . lady, and circumstances had given
her the lady's attire
Her first child, daughter named after Pet
ronella's mother, Jenny, married one Of the
most widely known living religious writers.
In that daughters house my grandmother
ended her days, respected and loved by all,
and beautiful even in death. She was buried
very near her native place, and, by her wish,