The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-11-08
THE MILLER'S MAID.


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In the meantime the rufian set down
the child for a moment, to look about for
combustibles to carry out his threat in
this search, he discovered a mode Of enter
ing the mill ~unthought Of by Hanchen.
1t was a large aperture in the wall, COM
municating with the great wheel, and the
other machinery Of the mill and it was q
point entirely unprotected, for it had never
been contemplated that any one would
seek to enter by so dangerous an inlet.
Triumphant at this discovery, he returned
to tie the hands and feet of the poor child,
to prevent its escape, and then stole back
to the aperture, by which he intended to
effect an entrance. The situation Of the
building prevented Hanchen from seeing
anything of this but q thought had mean
while struck her. 1t was Sabbath, when
the mill was never at work; II, therefore,
the sails were seen in motion, the whole
neighborhood would know that something
unusual was the matter and her master,
especially, would hasten home to know the
meaning of anything SO strange.
Being all her life accustomed to the
machinery Of the mill, it was the work of
a moment TO set it all in motion a brisk
breeze which sprung up at once set the
sails flying. The arms Of the huge engine
whirled round with fearful rapidity the
~ "ASSA 6Ao"A CNOlNCo Oh " A4lt.
smaller gear turned, and creaked, and
groaned, according as the machinery came
into action the mill was in full operation.
1t was at this moment that the rufian in
truder had succeeded in squeezing himself
through the aperture in the wall, and get
ting himself safely lodged in the interior of
the great drum wheel. His dismay, how
ever, was indescribable, when he began to
be whirled about, with its rotation, and
found that all his efforts to put q stop to the
powerful machinery which set it in motion.
or to extricate himself from this perilous
situation, were fruitless. In his terror.
he uttered shrieks and horrible impreca-
lions. Astonished at this noise, Hanchen
ran to the spot, and saw him caught like
n rat in his OWN trap, from which it was no
part OF her plan to hberate him. She knew
he would be more frightened than hurt, If
he kept within his rotary prison, without
any rash attempt ut escape ; and that, even
II he became insensible, he could not fall
out of it.
In the meantime the wheel vent round
and round with its steady, unceasing mo-
ton and ound and round he went with
it, while sense remained, beseeching Han
chen with entreaties, promises, and wild,
iInpotent threats, which were all equally
disregarded, till by degrees feeling and
perception failed him, and he saw and
heard no one. He fell senseless ut the
bottom of the engine, but even then his
inanimate body continued to be whirled
around as before for Hanchen did not
dare trust appearances in such a villain, and
would not venture to suspend the working
of the mill, or stop the mill gear and tackle
from running at their fullest speed.
At length she heard a loud knocking at
the door, and flew to open it. 1t was her
master and his family, accompanied by
several of the neighbors, all in the utmost
excitement and wonder at seeing the mill
sails in full swing on q Sabbath, and still
more when they had found the poor child
lying bound upon the grass, who, how
ever, was too terrified to give them any
account Of what had happened. Hanchen,
in a few words, explained all and then
her spirits, which had sustained her through
such scenes of terror, gave way under the
sense of safety and relief, and she fell faint
ing in their arms, and was with much diff
Guilty recovered. The machinery of the
mill was at once stopped, lnt. the inanimate
rufian dragged from his dreadful prison.
Heinrich, too, was brought forth from the
miller's chamber, and both were, in a short
time, sent bound, under a strong escort, to
Bonn, where they soon after met the reward
of their crimes.
The story of this extraordinary act of
presence of mind concludes by telling us
that Hanchen, thus effectually cured Of her
penchant for be unworthy sutton, became.
eventually, the wife Of the miller's eldest
son, and thus lived all her life on the scene
Of her imminent do aep and happy deliver
ance.-LRustrdte t,51stiun WeeklU.