Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-22

ner lear, anu overcome iitti ltsoIutoIi' "ttot,
however, as the child reached hollow spot
in the next fcid-the channel OF natural
drain, then dry with the heats of summer
she saw another rulfian start up from the bed
OF the drain, and, catching him in his arms,
hasten towards the mill, in accordance with
the direction Of his acconplice. In a mo-
mcnt she perceived her danger, and III a mo-
ment more she formed her future plan of pro-
ceeding. Retreating into the mill, she doub-
Unlocked and bolted the d0or-the only APP
parent entrance to the edifce, every other
means of obvious access to the interior being
barred by means Of strong iron gratings fixed
against all the windows and then took her
post at an upper easement, determined to
await patiently either her masters return,
and her consequent delivery from that dan
gerOus position, or her own death, if it were
inevitable.
Never" said she to herself, "never shall
I leave my masters house prey to such vii
lains or permit his property to be carried off
before my eyes By them, while | have life and
strength to defend it.
She had barely time to secure herself with
in, when the rufian from without, holding the
hapless child in one hand, and long, sharp
knife in the other, assailed the door with
kicks and curses and imprecations of the
most dreadful character.
''Confound thee" he cried, applying the
foulest epithets Of which the free speaking
Teutonic languages are so cOpiOus, ''open the
door, or III break it in On We"
of you can, you may" was all the noble
girl replied. God Is greater than you, and
in Him put my trust"
6 Cut the brat's throat" roared the impris-
oned ruffian above; "that will bring her to
reason"
Stout hearted as poor Hannchen was, she
quailed at this cruel suggestion. For a mo-
ment her resolution wayered; but it was on
ly for a moment. She saw that her own
death was certain if she admitted the assail-
ant, and she knew that her master would be
robbed. She had no reason to hope that
even the life Of the infant would be spared
by her compliance. 1t was to risk all against
nothing. Like q discreet girl, she conse-
quently held fast in her resolve to abide as
she was while life remained, or until assis
lance should reach her.
CAN We open not the door," shouted the
villain from without, accompanying his words
with the yilest abuse, and the fercest impre
cations "rll hack this fellows limbs tc
to pieces with my knife, and then burn the
| mill over your head. Twill be merry blaze
I trow."
Iput my trust iii God" replied the daunt
less girl; never shall We set your foot within
these walls whilst Ihave life to prevent ye."
The ruf1ian laid the infant for a moment OF
the sward as he sought for combustibleE
wherewith TO execute his latter threat. IL
| this search he espied, perhaps, the only pos
sible clandestinc entrance to the building
1t was large aperture in the wall, communi
| eating with the great wheel and other ma
chinery of the mill, and WIS point entirely
unprotected, for the reason, that the simple
occupants had never supposed it feasible f0l
any one to seek admission through such j
| dangerous inlet. Elatcd with his discovery
| the ruffian returned to the infant, and, tying
| the hands and feet of the child, threw it Oh
| the ground even as a butcher viii fling lamb
| destined for the slaughter, to await his time
| for Staying. He then stole back to the apcr
ture, by which he hoped to effect an entrance
| All this was unseen by the dauntless girl with
in In the meantime her mind was busted
with Il thousand cogitations. She clearly
perceived that no means would be left IN
tried to effect an entrance, and she knew
that on the exclusion Of her foe depended
| her own existence. A thought struck her.
"It is Sunday" she said to herself; " the
mill never works on the Sabbath; suppose
d
| off and haply my master, or some of his
neighbor' wondering at the sight may haste
hithcr to know the cause. A lucky thought,
she exclaimed; {" tbs God sent it to me-"
No sooner said than done. Being all hel
! life accustomed to mill gear, it was the work
| of moment for her to set the machinery il
| motion. 4 brsl, breeze which sprung as il
were by the special interposition Of Provi-
dence, at once set the sails flying The arms
of the huge engine flew around with fearful
rapidity; the great wheel slowly rcvolved on
| its axle; the smaller gear turned and crcalled
| according as they came into actiCn-the mill
was in full operation. 1t was i'll that very III,
| slant that the rliffian Diethcr had succeeded
| in squeezing himself through the aperture in
| the wall, and getting safely lodged III the in
terror Of the great drum-wheel His dlsmay
however was indcscribable when he began to
be whirlcd about with its rotation, and found
that all his attempts to put a stop TO the pow
crful machinery which set it IN motion, or tC
extricate himself from his periious situation
| were fruitless. His cries were most appall-
inc; his shricks were truly fearful his cur
ses and imprications were horrible to hear
Hannchcn hastened to the spot, and saw him
caught, like a reptile that he was, in his own
trap. 1t need not be added that she did not
more frightened than hurt if he kept within
his rotary prison; and she knew, also, that
unless he attempted to escape, there was no
danger of his falling out Of it, even though he
were inscnsible and inanimate all the while.
In the meantime the wheel went round and
round with its steady and unceasing motion
and round and round went the ruffian along
with it, steadily and increasingly, too In
vain did he promise the stout-hcarted girl to
work her no harm; i'll vain did he lmplOre
her to take pity on his helpless condition; IN
vain did he pray to all the powers OF heaven,
and adiure all the powers of hell to his aid.
She would not hear or need him. and M
heard and UNDECIDED Of them likewise, mutter-
ING curses, he was whirled round and round in
the untiring wheel, until at last, feeling and
perception failed him, and he saw and heard
no more He fell senseleSS on the bottom OF
the engine, but even then his inanimate body
continued to be whirled round and round, as
before; the brave girl not daring to trust to
appearances in connection with such villain,
and being, therefore afraid to suspend the
working of the machinery, or stop the mill
gear and tackle from running their fullest
speed.
4 loud knock ct the door was shortly after
heard, and she fastened thither. 1t was hel
master and his family, accompanied by several
of their neighbors. The unaccustomed ap,
pcarance of the mill sails in full swing or
Sunday, had, as she anticipated, attracted
their attention, and they had fastened home
from church for the purpose of ascertaining
the cause of the phenomenon. The father
! bore the little boy in his arms; he had cut
| the cords wherewith the child was tied, but
he was unable to obtain an account of the
! extraordinary circumstances that had occurred
from the affrighted innocent. Hannchen, IL
a few words, told all, and then the spirit whicl