Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-08-12
THE NILLER'S MAID.


There is lonely mill, close beside the
little hamlet of Udorf, near the Rnine
shore, between the villages of Hersel and
Trsel, on the left bank below b nm. This
mill is said TO have been the scene OF the
following story:
Ii was on a Sunday morning, ages
long ago" that the miller of this mill, and
his whole family, went forth to hear the
holv mass at the nearest church In the
village of Hersel The mill, which was
also his residence, was left In charge OF 8
servant girl named Hannchen, or Jenny,
a stout-hearted lass, who had long lived
with him in that capacity. An infant
child, of an age unfit tor church, was LETT
In her charge likewise.
The girl was busily employed in pre-
psrlng dinner for the return OF her mas
Ter and his family, when who snoald
enter ELL 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 liked, with amiable pervers
;lv. peculiar to her sex, only, perhaps, al
the better because others gave him no
couutenance She was glad to see him,
and she told him so, too; and, although
in the midst of her work, she not only
got him something to eat at once, but also
found time 10 sit down with him, and
have gossip, while he dispatched Int
food she set before HIM. As he ate, how
ever, he let tall his knife.
"picR that up, my lass" said he, in
ioking wav, to the good natured girl.
Nay, Heinrich" she replied, your
back should be more supple than mine,
fof YOU have less work to make it stiff. |
~ nd n
n But never mind 'Twould go hard with
sSme an / refused to do more than that for
YOU, Dad thlugh You be-"
&| This was spoken half sportively and
@balt in good earnest; for, kind hearted as
the girl was, and much as she liked the
~ scsnegrsce, she was too honest and In.
dustrious herself to encourage or approve
OF idlelness and suspicious course OF
life in any ore else, however dear to her.
She stopped down, accordingly, to pick
up the knife. AS she was IN the act OF
raising, however, the treacherous villain
drew dagger from under his coat aud
caught her uy the nape u the neck, grip
ping her throat firmly with mis- fingers to
prevent her screaming the while.
Now, lass. be said, swearing out bad
oath at the same time, where is masters
money! I'll have that or your life; so
take your choice"
The terrified girl would tsiu have par
leyed wltn the ruffian, but he would hear
nothing she could say.
Masters money or your life, lass !" was
all the answer he vouchssfed to her en-.
treaties and adjurations "Choose at once"
was the only alternative he offered her;
''the grave or the goldl"
@ She saw that there WAS no hope OF
&lnercy at his hands, and, as she saw 1t,
her native resolution awoke in her bosom.
%Iike the generality OF the gentle sex, she
Swas tmid at trltles; q scratch was sub
set Of fear to her; a drop of blood caused
#her to faint; al unwonted sopnd hlled her
soul with fear In the night But, Wnen
8her energies were aroused by an adequate
MCause, she proved, AS her sex have ever
N done, that 10 courage, in endurance, in
X presence of mind and in resources for
every emergency, she Tar surpassed the
bravest and coolest men.
"Wen, well, Heinrichl' she said, re.
sienedly, what is to be must be But If
YOU lake the money, | shall even 90 along
with We! This will be no home for me
any more But ease your grippe Of my
neck a little-dun't squeeze 50 hard; |
can't move, you hug me 50 tight. Aud II
4 can't stir, you can't get the money;
that's Gear, you Know. Besides, time
presses; ami If it be done 81 sll, il must
(. DC done quickly, as the household will
shortly be back from Hersel"
TAC ruff IN re axed his grippe, and finally
let 90 his hold Her reasons were all
Il cogent with his cupldity.
Come" she said, quick! qUick.-Do
delay. The money Is in masters bed
room"
She trippei up stairs, gsily as a lark;
Me followed closely at her heels. Sac led
&the wsy into her masters bedroom, and
3oinled ou, the coher Il which his money
IS secured
M Here" she said, reaching him an sx
nlcn lay in TIE corner of the room, "thls
~ wrench It open at once; and while
IL are tying It up, | shall step to my
par ment and get few things ready for
~ Il sht IS well as my own little saving
~! The last five years.
All Ihe Tuidan was thrown of his guard by
I'll hef openaess and her auxeiy to accom-.
Y psny nm. Like al cyclists, he deceived
himself, when seltdeeeii was most certain
I. 10 be his destruction.
Go, lass, was sll he said. "but be not
Cog. This JOB will be done In twink.
Ing