News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1882-12-21
THE MILLER'S MAID.


There used to be lonely mill close by
the little picturesque monastery; and this
lonely mill is said to have been the scene
of the following story:
1t was on Sunday morning, cages
long ago" that the miller of this mill and
his whole family went forth to hear the
holy mass.
The mill, which was also his residence,
was left in charge of aservant-girl named
Jenny, stout-hearted lass. An infant
child, of an age unfit for church, was left
in her charge likewise.
The girl was busily employed prepar-
ing dinner, when who should enter but
an old sweetheart of hers, named Rerrick
Lochdee, an idle, graceless fellow, whom
the miller had forbidden the house; but
whom Jenny only liked perhaps the
better, because others gave him no
countenance. She was glad to see him,
and gave him something to eat. As he
ate, however, he let fall his knife.
''Pick up that, my lass, said he in a
joking way, to the good-natured girl.
She stopped down, accordingly, TO pick
up the knife.
As she was in the act of rising, how
ever, the treacherous villain caught her
by the nape of the neck, and gripping her
throat firmly with his fingers to prevent
her screaming the while, drew a dagger
from under his coat.
''Now, LASS" he said, swearing as he
spoke, ''where's your masters money?
/ will have that or your life; so take your
choice"
She implored him not to make such
horrible resolution, but masters money
or your life, lass" was all he would say
"Well, well, Rerrick, said she, re-
signedly; ''what is to be must be; but if
you take the money will even go along
with you This will be no home for me
any more. But ease you grippe of my
neck little; don't squeeze so hard-I
can't moye-you hug me so tight. Be
sides, time presses, and if it be done at
all it must be done quickly, for the
household Will shortly be back"
The rufian relaxed his grippe, and
finally let go his hold
Come" she said, ''quickl quick
no delay. The money is in masters bed
room"
She led the way into her masters bed
room and pointed out the Golfer in which
his money was concealed. Here, she
said, reaching him an ak, 'this will
wrench it open at once, and 1 shall just
step up to my own apartment and get a
few things ready for our fight"
$50, lass" he said, "but be not long"
He Immediately broke open the chest
and began rummaging the contents.
While he was employed the brave
hearted girl stole down the stairs on tip
toe, and creeping softly down the pas
sage reached the door of the chamber
unseen by him and likewise unheard.
1t was but the work of moment for
her to turn the key in the ward and lock
him In.
This done, she rushed forth to the outer
door of the mill and gave the alarm
ely fly p she shrieked to the child,
her masters little boy ely to father
Fly on your Efel Tell him we shall all
be murdered, an he haste not back. Fly
fyr'
The child at once obeyed the command
of the girl, and sped as fast as his legs
could carry him on the road by which he
knew his parents would return from
church.
A shrill whistle from the grated win
dow of the chamber in which she had shut
up the rufian Rerrick, reached her ears.
Robin Robin % she heard him
shout, catch the child and come
hither. am fast Come hither Bring
the child here, and kill that girl p
Jenny thought to herself that this
alarm was a false one, but just as the
child reached a hollow IN the next field
she saw another rufian start up, and,
catching him in his arms, hasten toward
the mill, in accordance with the direc-
tions of his accomplish
In moment she perceived her
danger.
Retreating into the mill, she double
locked and bolted the door, and then
took her post at an upper easement.
She had scarcely time to secure her.
self within, when the rufian from with
out, holding the hapless child with one
hand, and long, sharp knife in the
other, assailed the door with kicks and |
,,,,,oao ,f tl,e ,,,r,e4 1,.oo 1f,,l II ov.oAo,.
''Confound thee p he cried. "Open the
door, or I'll break it on ye."
IF you can, you may" was all the
girl replied.
"Cut the brat's. throat" roared the
imprisoned ruf1ian from above. "That
will bring her to reason"
can We open not the door," shouted
the villain from without, "I'll hack this
whelp's limbs to pieces with my knife,
and then burn the mill ON your head"
81 put my trust in God, replied the
girl "Never shall ye set foot within
these walls while have life to prevent /
ye."
The rufian laid the infant for a mo-
ment ON the sward, and searching above !
espied large aperture in the wall, COM
municating with the great wheel and the
other machinery of the mill, and point
entirely unprotected, because it was
never supposed by the simple occupants
that any one would ever seek admission
through such dangerous inlet.
By this the ruffian hoped to effect an
entrance.
All this was unseen by the girl within.
Suddenly thought struck her.
'f 1t is Sunday" said she to herself.
sThe mill never works ON the Sabbath.
Suppose set it going now. 1t can be
Ieen afar off And haply my master and
ome Of his neighbors, wondering at the