Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-10-25
MAUD MULLER.

MAUD MULLER.
Maud Muller. on a summers day,
kaked the meadow sweet with hay.
Beneath her torn hst glowed the wealth
Of simple beauty and rustic health.
Singing, she wrought. and her merry glee
The mock bird echoed from his tree.
But, when she glanced to the far-off town,
White from its hill-slope looking down,
The. sweet song died. and vague unrest
And nameless longing filed her breast
wish, that she hardly dared 10 own.
For something tetter than she had known.
The Judge rode slowly down the lane,
Smoothing his horses chestnut name.
He drew his bride in the shade
Of the apple-trees, to greet the maid,
And ask a draught from the spring tn At flowed
Through the meadow across the road.
She stopped where the cool spring bubbled an,
And filled for him her email tin cup,
And blushei as she gave it. looking down
On her feet so bare, and her tattered gown
" Thanks!', said the Judge, "a sweetsr
draught
From fairer band was never quaffed."
BE spoke of the grass, and flowers and trees,
Of the singing birds and the humming bees /;
Then talked of the haying, and wondered
The cloud in the west would bring foul
weather.
And Maud forgot her brier- torn gown,
And her gracefdl ankles bare and brown;
And listened. while pleased surprise
Looked from her long-lashed hazel eyes.
At last, like one who for delay
Seeks vain excuse, he rodo away.
Maud Muller looked and sighed: "Ah. me!
That the Judges bride might bel
he would dress me up in silks so fine,
And praise and toast me at his wine.
" My father should wear broadcloth coat;
My brother should sail painted boat.
" I'd dress my neither so grand aad gay,
And the baby should have u new toy each day
And I'd feed thelhungry and clothe the poor
And all should bless me who left our door,"
The Judge looked back as he climbed the hill,
And saw Maud Muller standing still.
"A form more fair. face more sweet,
Ne'er hath it been my lot to meet
And her modest answer and graceful air
Show her wise and good as she is fair.
"Would she were mine. and to-day,
Like her, harvester of hay;
IS No doubtful balance of rights and wrongs,
Nor weary lawyers with endless tongues,
g But low Of cattle and song Of birds,
And health aud quiet and loving words"
But he though. Of his sisters proud and cold,
And her mother vain Of her rank and gold.
So. closing bis heart, the Judge rode on,
And Maud was lett in the field alone.
But the lawyers smiled that afternoon,
When he hummed in court an old loVe-tune;
And the young girl mused beside the we'll,
TIL the rain on the unraked clover fell.
BE welded wife Of richest dover,
Who lived for fashion, as he for power.
Yet OF, in his marble hearth's bright glow.
de watched picture come snd go:
And sweet Maud Muler's hazel eyes
Looked out in their innocent surprise.
Oft, when tie wine in his glass was red,
lie l0nged for the wayside well iustead,
And closed his eyes on his garni he'd rooms,
To dream of meadows and clover blooms
And the proud man sighed, with secret pain
All, that we're free again
I" Free as when rod that day,
Where the barefoot maiden raked her hay"
She welded man unlearn0d and poor,
And many children played round her door.
But care AMI sorrow, and childbirth pain.
Left their traces on heart and brain.
And oft, when the summer sun shone hot
On the new mown hay in the meadow lot,
And she heard the little spring brook fall
Uver the roadside, through the wall,
In the shade of the apple-tree again
She saw rider draw his rein;
And, gazing down with timid gra.e,
she felt his pleased eyes read hor face.
Sometimes her narrow kitchen walls
Stretched away in stately halls;
The weary wheel to a spinnet turned,
The tallow candle ard astral burned
And for him who sat by the chimney lug.
Lozing and grumbiing Ger pipe and mug,
A manly form at her side she saw,
And JOY was duty aud love was law.
Then she took up her burden Of life again.
Saying only, " 1t might have been"
Alas for maiden, alas for Judge,
For rich repiner and household drudgel
God pity them both and pity us ALL
Who valnly the dreams of youth recall.
For Of all sad words Of tongue or pen.
The saddestare these; III might have been!"
All, wei for US al some sSost hope lies
Deeply buried from human eyes
And, n the hereafter, angels may
hol.the stone from its grave away