The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-12-19
Gbc storp Teller.
THE MAID OF THE MILL.

There is lonely mill close beside the lit
tie hamlet Of Udorf, near the Rhine shore,
between the villages Of Hersel and Ursel. on
the left bank below Bonn. This mill is said
TO have been the scene Of the following sto-
ry:
Il was on Sunday morning, ages long
ago. that the miller OF this mill, and his
whole family, went forth to hear the holy
mass at the nearest church, in the village OF
Hersel. The mill. which was also his resi-
dence. was LEFT in charge Of a servant-girl
named launches, or Jenny, a stout'hearted
lass, who had long lived with him in that ca
p,city. An iurin, child, ofage unfit for
church, was left in her charge likewise.
The girl was busily employed in prePar-
ING dinner for the return of her master and
his family. when who should enter all of a
sudden but an old sweetheart Of hers, named
Heinrich Bottelor. He was an idle, grace
less fellow, whom the miller had forbidden
his house, but whom Jenny, with the amia-
BILE perversity peculiar to her sex, only liked,
perhaps. all the better because Others gave
him no countenance. She was glad to see
him, and told him so, too; and although in
the midst OF her work, she not only got him
something to eat at once, bu, also found time
TO sit down with him and have gossip,
while he dispatched the food she set before
him. As he ate, however, he let fall his
knife.
.Pick that up, my lass said he, in jok-
ing way. to the good natured girl.
NAY. Heinrich.' she replied, your back
should be more supple than mine, for you
have less work to make 1t stiff. | labor all
day long. and you do nothing. But, never
mind! 'twould go hard with the an refus-
ed to do more than that for you, bad though
you be
This was spoken half sportively, and half
in good earnest; for. kindhearted as the girl
was, and much Us she liked the scapegrace,
she was too honest and industrious herself
to encourage and approve OF idlene~s and
suspicious course Of life in any one else, how
ever dear TO her She stopped down, accord
insly. to pick up the knife. As 'hs was in
the act Of rising, however, the treacherous
villain drew dagger from under his coat,
and caught her by tho napo OF the neck,
gripping her throat firmly with his fingers to
prevent her screaming the while.
Now. Lass he said, swearing out bad
oath at the snms time, 'wherc Is your uas
tsr's money! I'll have that or your life; so
take your choice
The terrified girl would fain have parleyed
with the ruihau, bat he would hear nothing
she could say.
Masters money or your life, lass ? was
all the answer no youchsslcd to her cn,roat.
les and adjurations. Choose at once was
the only alternative he offered her 'the grave
or the gold"
She saw that there was no hope Of mercy
n, his hands aud, as she saw IL, her native
resolution awoke in her bosom. Like the
generality Of her gentle sex. she was timid at
tribes; a scratch was subject OF fear to herr
drop Of blood caused her to faint; an un-
wonted sound filled her soul with fear in the
night. But when her energies were aroused
by any adequate cause. she proved, as her
sex have ever done. that in courage, in en-
dursnco. in presence Of mind, and in rcsour-
css Of emergency, she far surpassed the brsv-
GO, and coolest men.
well. well. Heinrich she said resigned
ly. .whst is to be, must be. But IL you take
the money. shall even 70 along with you.
This will be no homo for me any more. But
ease your gripe Of my neck a ali,tle-dOn't
squeeze 50 hard can't move, you hug me
80 tight: and II can, stir, you cannot get
the money-thats clear, you know. Be
sides. time presses; and II it be done at all.
1, must be done quickly, as the family will
shortly be back from Herssl.'
The rufiian relaxed his griPe, and finally
ie. 20 his hold. Her reasons weroall cosent
with hiscupidiy.