Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1860-12-21
A Thrilling Incident.

STANDS the mill which was the scene OF the
following adventure:
One Sunday morning the miller and his
family set out as usual TO attend divine SER
vices at the nearest church in the village of
Heasel, leaving the mill, TO which the dwell
ing house was attached, in charge Of his ser.
vant-maid, Hanchen, bold-hearted girl who |
had been some time in his service. The |
youngest child who was too little to 60 to
church remained also under her care.
As Ilanchen was busily engaged in pre-
pairing dinner for the family, she was inter-
rapted by visit from her adm;rer, Heinrich
Boaeler. He was an idle, graceless fellow,
and her master, who knew him well, had
forbidden him the house; but Hanchen could
not believe all the stories she had heard a
gainst her lover, and was sincerely attached
TO him. On this occasion she created 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 gossip
with him, while he did justice TO the fare
before him.
As he was eating, he let fall the knife,
which he asked her to pick up for him.
She playfully demonstrated, telling him she
feared from what she had heared, he did lit
tie enough work. and ought at least to wait
on himself. In the end however,she stopped
down to pick up the knife, when the trech-
erous william drew dagger 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 desired
her to tell him where her master kept his
1, ~, Il
comply with his demands.
The surprised and terrified girl in vain
attempted 10 parley with him. He still
held her tightly in his choking grasp,
leaving her 10 other choice but to die or
betray her master. She saw there was no
hope of softening him or changing his pur-
pose, land with full conviction of his trechery,
all her native courage awoke in her bosom.
Affecting, ,however,to yield to what was in
| evitable,she answered him in resigned tone
that what must be, must; only, il he carried
off her masters gold. he must take her with
him, too, for she could never stay to bear
their suspicious and reproaches, entreaiing
| him at the same time TO relax his grasp OF
her throat for she could hardly speak, much
| less do what he bid while he held her SC
tight. At length he was induced TO quiet
his hold, on her reminding him that he mus
| lose no time, as the family would soon be
returning home from church.
| She then led the way TO her masters bed
room, and showed the Golfer where he kept
his money.
Here" she said, reaching to him ar
axe which lay in one corner OF the room
you can open it with this, while run VI
stairs to put all my things together, beside:
the money have saved since have beer
here"
Completely deceived by her apparent
readiness to enter into his plans he allowed
her to leave the room, only exhorting hei
TO be as quick as possible, and was immed
ately absorbed in his own operation, frs
opening the box, and then deposting the
money about his person.
In the meanwhile Hanchen instead o
going up stairs to her own room,crept softly
along several passages,t till she again reached
her masters chamber. 1t was the work ot
moment to shut and bolt the door upor
him: she rushed to the other door of the
mill TO give the alarm. The only being ii
sight was her masters little boy, child tivt
wears old /; TO him she called with all he
might:
Ran run to meet your father as h
comes from church tell him we shall all b'
murdered if he does not come back
The frightened child did as she bade him
and set off running on the road she pointed
Somewhat relieved by seeing that the chilC
understood her, and would make her cas-
known, she sat down for a moment on tn
stone seat before her door, and full of con
fiicting emotions Of grief and thankfulnes
, for her escape, she burst into tears.
But at this momen shril whistle arous
ed her attention 1t was from her prisone
Heinrich, who, opening the grated window
above her head, shouted TO some accomplic
} without, TO catch the child that was runnia
! away so fast, and TO kill the girl.
; Hanchen locked around TN great alarm
but saw no one. The child continued t
run with all its might, and she hoped it wa
false alarm, 10 excite her and overcom
r her resolution, when, just as the chill
/ reached the hollow in the next field 9th
channel of natural drain,) she saw
rufian start from the bed of the drain, an
snatching the child in his arms, hastene
q with him TO the mill. in accordance wit
the direction of his accomplice. In a me
ment she perceived the full extent of he
: danger, and formed her plan for escapin
. 1t.
: Retreating into the mill, she double lock
: ed. and barred and bolted the door, the onl
= apparent entrance into the building. ever
: other means OF obvious access prevented b
n strong iron grating fixed up against all th
: windows, and then took her post at the up
n per easement. determined to await patient
s iy her masters return, and her consequer
n delivery from the dangerous position of he
e own death, if inevitable; for she was full
e resolved to enter into no terms, and ths
It nothing should induce her to give up he
! masters property into the robbers hands.
s She had hardly time TO secure herself !
n her retreat. when the rufian holding tn
r screaming child in his arms. and brandisl
= a knife in one hand, came up and bid he
: omen the door, or he would break it dow
e adding many fearful oatbs and threats,
d which her only answer was that she put he
trus. in God. H-inrich, who from his wiz
dow was a witness to this colloquy. no
u called out to cut tue ehild's throat befor
;, her eyes, jf she persisted in her refusal.
q Poor Hanchen's heart quailed at IN
moment. The death of the child could !
e no gain to them. while her own death va