Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1867-12-06
Poetry.
MAUD MULLER

Maud Muller, oH 9 summer day.
Baked the meadow sweet with hsy.
Beneath her t0ra hat cleaned the wealth
OF simple beauty and rustic health
Singing, she wrought and her merry glee
The mock-bird echoed from bis tree.
Eut. when she glanced TO ths far-of1 town.
V hite trom is hili-slope looking down,
The swee. song died, and 8 vagae unrest
And nameless longing filed her breast
s wish, thai she harjly dared 70 oEn,
For something bettar than she had known.
The Judge rode slowly doru The lane,
Smoothing his horses chesisut name.
lie drew his bride ia Ae shade
of She apple trees, to greet the maid,
And ask draught iFom the spring that
flowed
Fhrough the uleatow across the road.
She stopped where the cool spring bubbied
Ard 6iled for him her small tiu cup,
And blGshed SIS she gave II, looking down
On her feet so bare. and her taHered gown.
Thanks {. said ihe Judge, "a sweeter
dgaught
From a iaireT hand vas never Quaded.
He spoke Of the grass and flowers and fre4s.
OF the singing birds and the hnmming bees;
Then talked Of the hsying, ard wondered
whether
The cload in the west would bring foul
weather.
Aud Maud forgot her 5rier-1orn gown,
And her graceful ankles bare and broaa.
And listened, while q pleased sarprise
Looked from her long dashed haze eyes.
Al last, Ike one who for delay
Seeks a vain excuse. he rode away.
MaHd miller looked and sighed: 'Ah. me,
That [ the Judge bride insight be,
He would dress nae up IN silks so fne,
AuG praise and toast me at his Wiuc.
Ny father should wear & broadcjolh coat:
Ny brother should sail painted boat.
L d dress my mother so grand aud gay;
And The baby shoEld have new TOY each
day.
And Id feed TIE hungry and elotbe the poor,
And ali should bless me Ehc left cur door.
Ana sax Maud Mailer standing still
- form mere fair, face more sweet.
Ne'er hath i been ms lot 10 meet
And her modest answer and graceful air
ShoT her Eise and good as she j. fair.
Would she FeFe mine. and ]. to-day.
Like her. harvester Of hay:
No doubtful balance Of rights and wr01gs.
Nor weary lawyers wirh endless tongues.
But low q. cattle aud song Of birds
And health and quiet and loving words
But he thought Of his sisters, proud and cold,
And bis mother, vain Of her rank and gold.
So, closing his heart. the Judge rode en-,
and Maud was left in the field alone.
But the lawyers smiled that afternoon.
W hen he hammed 10 court an old love tune;
Aud the young girl uused beside the SELL
I'LL the ram on the Uurake1 clover tvi-
He welded q wife Of richest dover,
y ho lived for fashion, as he for power
y et or. IN his marble hearth bright glow,
He watched q picture come and go-
And sweet Maud Mailer hazel eyes
Looked cuE Go TEeir fIUuceUl surprise.
Oft. when the vine in his glass was rcd.
lie larged for the Waysiae Weil. Instead;
And closed his ewes cu hls gI-gl5l6d rooms,
To dream Of meadows and clover-s.o0ms,
Aud the proud man slgaed- with % secret
pain.
..AG. that I were izee again
Free as when ! rode thai aay.
Where the barefoot maiden rlkea G=- Eag-
She married q man an.ea-Esl and poor,
Ana many children played round her door.
Bat care and sorT1w- and cA.id bszth Iain.
I.eft rae.l traces On aeGrg sH1 Hrall-
Ana Oft, when the summer sun saale boz
On the new uuvn hay IL tau meadow JET.
And She heard the Iittle sgt5u--5-ook fall
Over The roadside, through be Fai-
lathe shade of The apple tree again
She saw q rider draw hi- rem;
And gazing down with iiiuid grace
She ie.t his pleased eyes read her face.
. Sometimes be- narrow kitchen walls
Stretched away into stately halls.
( The geary wheel 10 a sPiBnes tGrHed,
. Tae ialIow candle $40 astral blrEea,
And for him who sal by tue chimney las
Doziur aud Erumbliug o er pipe and mug,
4 manly fern st her side she sa#,
4 Add joy was duty and love Tas law
Then she took up her burden Of life again.
Saving only, .'It might have been.
Alas for maiden alas for Judge!
+ For rich repiuer and household drudge
God pity them both and pity Us all.
Who vainlv the dreams Of youth recall.
( For Of ail sad words of tongue or peu.
/ The zaddest are these; 1T might have been.
+ Ah. vel. for a. all some sweet kope lies
Deeply buried from human eyes: