The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1863-03-20
The Maid of the Mill.

There is lonely mill close beside the lit,l,
hamlet of Udorf, near the Rhine shore. he
tween the villages of Hersel and Crsel. on tn,
left bank below Bonn. This mill is said t.
have been the scene Of The following story
1t was on Sunday morning. ages long ago,
that the miller of this mill, and his Who'll,
family, went forth TO hear the holy mass al
the nearest church, in the village of Hersel
The mill, which was also his residence, wa.
left In charge of servant girl named Ham.
chen, or Jenny, a stout-hearted lass, who had
long lived with him in that capacity. An in.
FAINT child, Of an age unfit for church. was lef;
in her charge likewise The girl was busily
employed in preparing dinner for the return
OF her master and his family, when who
should enter all of sudden but an old sweet.
heart Of hers named Heinrich Bottelor. He
was an idle, graceless fellow, whom the miller
had forbidden his house, but whom Jenny
with the amiable perrersity peculiar to her
sex, only liked, perhaps, all the better be-
cause Others gave him no countenance. She
was glad 10 see him, and she told him 81. ,oo
ard although in the midst of her work, she
not only got him something to eat at once.
but 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 MS knife.
Pick that up, my lass said he, in a iok-
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 it stiff. labor all
day long, and You do nothing. But, never
mind twould go Lard with me an refused
TO DO more than that for you, bad though
you be-
This was spoken half sportively, and half
in good earnest; for, ind-hearted as the girl
was and much as she liked the scapegrace.
she was too honest and industrious herself to
encourage and approve of idleness and sus-
plclous course of life in any one else. however
dear to her. She stopped down, accordingly.
to PICK up the knife. As she was in the act
OF rising. however, the treacherous villain
drew dagger from under his coat. and
caught her by the nape OF the neck, gripping
her throat firmly with his fingers to prevent
her screaming the while.
Now, lass he said, swearing out bad
cath at the same time, where is your masters
money? III have that or Your life; so take
Your choice
The terrified girl would tain have parleved
with the rutlian, but he would hear nothing
she could say
Masters money or your life, lass " was all
the answer he vouchsafed to her entreaties
and adjIralions. Choose at once was tbe
only alternative he offered her; the grave or
the gold"
She saw there was 10 hope of mercy at his
hands; and, as she saw it, her native resolu-
ton awoke In her bosom. Like the generali-
ty OF her gentle sex. she was timid at trities
a scratch was subject of fear 10 her: drop
of bioud caused her to faint: an unwop,ed
sound hled her soul with fear in the night.
But when her energies were aroused bv any
adequate cause. she proved, as her sex have
ever DONE, that in courage, in endurance. in
presence of mind. and in resources of EN-
ersency, she far surpassed the bravest and
coolest men.
We'll, well. Heinrich, she said, resignedly.
what is TO be, must be. But if YOU take the
money. | shall even go along with We. This
Will be no home for me any more. Bat ease
your grippe of my neck a little-dont squeeze
SO hard: can't move, you hug me so tight:
and if can't stir, you cannot get the mon
ey-thats clear, you know. Besides. time
presses and if it be done at all. il must be
done quickly, as the family will shortly be
back from Hersel.'
The rutiian relaxed his gripe. and finally
let go his hold. Her reasons were all eoyeu,
with his cupidity.
Tome, she said; quick, quick no delay;
the money is in masters bedroom
She tripped up stairs, gayly as a lark he
followed Closely at her heels. She led the
way into her masters bedroom, and pointed
out the Golfer in which his money was seeur-
ed.
Here, she said, wrench it open at once
and while you are tying the money up, shall
ust step up stairs to my own apartment. and
get fes things ready for our flight, as well
as my own little savings for the last five
years
The ruftian was thrown off his guard by
ler openness and apparent anxiety to accom-.
Pany him. Like all egotists, he deceived
himself, when self-deceit was most certain to
oe his destruction.
20, lass was all he said; but be not
ong. This job will be done in a twinkling.'
She disappeared at the words. He imme
ilately broke open the chest, and was soon
in rumaging its contents. As he
Was thus employed, however, absorbed in the
contemplation of his prey, and eagerly oc-
'npisd IN securing it on ys person, the brave
hearted girl stole down the stairs on tip-toe.
Oreepng softly along tie passages, she spec
Oily gained the door of the chamber unseen
oy him, and likewise unheard. 1t was but
L.. rrnrL nt a r,nunart Eox L.