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

LuSEe yet Sliinds LuS miil WHICH was the
scene of the following adventure:
One Sunday morning the miller and
his family set out as usual to attend d.
vine services at the nearest church in
the village of Heasel, leaving the mill,
to which the dwellng-house was attached
in charge of his servant maid, Hanchen,
bold-hearted girl, who had been some
time in his service. The youngest child
who was still too little to 90 TO church,
remained also under her care.
As Hanchen was busily engaged in
preparing dinner for the family, she was
interrupted by visit from her admirer,
Heinrich Botteler. He was an idle,
graceless fellow, and her master, who
knew his character well, had forbidden
him the house; but Hanchen could not
believe all the stories she had heard
against her lover, and was sincerely at
tached to him. On this occasion she
greeted him kindly, and not only got him
something to eat at once, but found time
in the midst of her business to sit down
and have a gossip with him, while he did
Justice to the fare before him.
As he was eating be let fall the knife,
which he asked her to pick up for him.
She playfuIly demonstrated, telling him
she feared, from what she had heard, he
did little enough work, and ought at least
to wait on himself, In the end, however,
she stopped down to pick up the knife,
when the treacherous villain drew dag
ger from under his coat, and caught her
by the nape Of the neck, gripping her
firmly with his fingers to prevent her
screaming; then, with an oath, he desir-
ed her to tell him where her master kept
his money, threatening to kill her if she
did not comply with his demands.
The surprised and terrified girl in vain
attempted to parley with him. He still
held her tightly in his choking CRASH,
leaving Eer no other choice but to die or
betray her master. She saw there was
10 hope of softening him or changing his
purpose, and with full conviction of his
treachery all her native courage awoke in
her bosom.
Affecting, however, to yield to what
was inevitable, she answered him in re-
signed tone, that what must be, must !;
only, if he carried off her masters gold,
he must take her with him, too, for she
could never stay to bear their suspicious
and reproaches, entreating him at the
same time to relax bis grasp of her throat,
for she could hardly speak, much less do
what he bid while he held her SO tight
At length he was induced to quit his hold
on her reminding him that he must lose
no time, as the family would soon be re-
turning home from church.
She then led the way to her masters
bedroom, and showed the Golfer where he
kept his money,
Here" she said, reaching to him an
axe which lay in one corner Of the room,
Ayou can open it with this, while | run
up stairs to put all my things together,
besides the money have saved since /
have been here"
Completely deceived by her aPparant
readiness to enter into his plans, he al
lowed her to leave the room, only ex-
horting her to be as quiet as possible,
and was Immediately absorbed in his own
operatiun-frst opening the box, and
then disposing of the money about his
person.
In the meanwhile, Hanchen, instead
of going up stairs to her own ROOM
crept softly along several passages TIL
she again reached her masters chamber
1t was the work Of moment to shut
and bolt the door upon him; she rushed
to the other door of the mill to give the
alarm. The only being in sight was heI
masters little boy, child Of five years
old; to him she called with all her might
Run! run to meet your father as he
comes from church /; tell him we shall
all be murdered if be does not come
back p
The frightened child did as she BIC
him and set off running on the road sh'
pointed. Somewhat relieved by seeing
that the child understood her, and woulC
make her case known, she sat down To-
a moment on the stone seat before he
door, and, full of conflicting emotions 0
grief and thankfulness for her escape
she burst into tears.
But at this moment a shriH whistl'
aroused her attention. 1t was from be
prisoner, Heinrich, who, opening th'
grated window above her head, shoute'
10 some aecomplice without TO catch th'