The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-06-06
The Proud MiiISmaid.


IT is more than hundred years ago, upon
brilliant afternoon of September, a coach
and four, covered with dust, had jus, stopped
in front of the only tavern of a small village
in the "merly country of France" The hos
tiers were busy taking the harness from the
faded horses, and, amidst sundry CALCULATIONS
and impatient ordinations, were exchanging
commentaries upon the rank or profession of
the traveller. The latter hal disappeared with
the host in the bright and cheerful kitchen,
where, in those days, guests and hosts used
to paitake, together, of the same fare. After
giving his orders for bountiful repast, and
and adding that he wanted it in a hurry, as
he wished to reach, before night, large town,
somewhat distant, he had sauntered along the
street, gazed at by the children at play, and
by the old women spinning in front of their
dwellings. Al delighted to have such an
event as "trdVcLer" to discuss. What fig
ure he would cut, now, to be sure! with his
carefully powdered hair, his threc-comered
hat, his bright blue coat, with shining but
tons, his buff knee-breeches, and buckled
shoes. His whole appearance denoted the
rich man; the ruffles on his bosom and wrists
were of the finest fabric, wide and undula-
ling with rare old lace; his hands, white and
small, showed no sign of hard work: his
step, even, had that saunter and ease which
tel Of no obligation to hurry, and bespeak
the man owner of his time, subseIvient to no
one.
He was young man; perhaps not over
twenty-five. His clear, blue eyes and fair
complexion showed, at glance, his northern
origin; his features were regular, his figure
tall and straight, his whole appearance noble.
As we have already said, the stranger was
quietly walking along the little village street,
and soon had reached its last house, prettily
nclosed by little garden 6lied with the
Haunting blossoms of the hollyhocks and sun
flowers. Here the street was merging itself in
TO lane--a real old, fashioned country lane
meandering among meadows, and crossed by
bubbling brooks, all fragrant with the many
tiny flowers of the fields, and here and there
overarched by the luxuriant wild pear-trecs.--
II was near sunset the lowing of the cows
and the tinking of their bells was heard ev-
erywherc The fields were alive with the boys
and girls driving the cattle home. 1t was
that cheerful hour of the day when every oh
icct is tinged with the brightest shades, and
the sun, before disappearing, turns everything
into gold. The traveller was enchanted. lie
had, Eve days before, LEFT the noisy and busy
city Of Paris, and ever since hurried through
scarcely less busy or less noisy towns. Here,
at last, he could refresh his eyes and mind !;
and he was feasting on that peaceful agitation
of country life.
Just as he was turning from the main road
into a narrow path running along the laugh
inc brook, he saw, coming across the mead
ow, Young girl, carrying on her head pail
trimming over with milk. She must have
been wonderfully fair and lovely, that rustic
miIkmaid, to attract and rivotthe attention OF
the somewhat Jlass young man, used to the
boaut;es of the unrivalled city. Never had
he seen such perfection of features and such
.,,r,cef,lness of form. Her bare arm, raised
=, steady the pail poised on her head, though
snu,,urut. was fauisIess in its shape. The
ro,,nded outline Of her bsst, and The beauty
of the ankle and foot, which neither shoe
.,oepino concealed; the noble and grace
gul head. the bright red lips, and beaming
eve.-nothing escaped the attention and seru-
,;nv Of the stranger. He was at first spell
hound little thinking that he should meet
Nth such rare beauty in such a rustic garb ;
brt soon recovering thought and speeeh' he
jumped over the low fence that divided the
- from the meadow, and coming up to the
rounc girl he addressed heras' Y those days
80 af Ii. class in life sheught ht to address
. nretsy country lass His fnss words were
-, beeaed. only the girl gave bin an astOa-
80 and someuhzt sesrnfal glance. which
-. have enhanced her beasiy teafolds for
ths vounr man expressed his admiration in
warm and plain language, and Fentnred on
some proposals which, in his gay life IN the
..,;,.i he had sever known 70 be refused
WIZ. must have been his astenishmeht when
- ,,,y Who had not uttered a single
- - ~ took the miIk-PaH hOm her head.
- ,h-o~;nr It's eOntenis into tie Young
nm. fsee, exclaimed; T" Thai your an'''eT'