The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-02
THE MILLER,S MAID.

THE MILLER'S MAID.
There is lonely mill, close beside
the little hamlet of Udorf, near the
Rhine shore. between the villages of
Hersel and Ursel, on the left bank be-
low Bonn. This mill is said to have
been the scene of the following story:
1t was on q Sunday morning, 'sages
long ago, that the miller of this mill.
and his whole family, went forth to
hear the holy mass at the nearest
church, in the village of Hersel. The
mill, which was also his residence
was left in charge of servant-girl
named Hannchen, or Jenny, stout
hearted lass, who had long lived with
him in that capacity. An infant child.
of an age unfit for church, was left in
her charge likewise.
The girl was busily employed in pre-
pairing dinner for the return of
her master and his family. when who
should enter all of a sudden but an old
sweetheart of hers, named Heinrich
Bottelor. He was an idle, graceless
fellow, whom the miller had forbidden
mis- house, but whom Jenny, with the
amiable perversity peculiar to her sex,
only liked, perhaps, all the better be-
cause others gave him no countenance.
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 st once, but also
found time to sit down with him and
have gossip, while he dispatched the
food she set before him. As he ate,
however, he let fall his knife.
Pick that up, my lass" said he, in
joking way to the good-natured girl.
NAY, Heinrich" she replied, .'your
back should be more supple than mine,
for you have less work to make it stiff
L labor all day long, and you do
nothing. But, never mindi 'twould
60 hard with me an l refused to do
more than that for you, bad though
you be-"
This was spoken half sportively. and
half in good earnest; for, kind-hearted
as the girl was. and much as she liked
the scapegraee, she was too honest
and industrious herself to encourage or
approve of idleness and suspicious
course of life in anyone else, however
dear to her. She stopped down, ac-
cordingly, to pick up the knife. AS
she was in the act of rising. however.
the treacherous villain drew dagger
from under his coat, and caught her
by the nape of the neck. gripping her
throat firmly with his fingers TO pre-
vent her screaming the while.
Now, lass" he said, swearing out
bad oath at the same time, ''where
is your masters money! I'll have
that or your life; so take your choice"
The terrified girl would fain have
parleyed with the ruffian, but he would
hear nothing she could say.
Your masters money or your life,
lassr' was all the answer he vouch-
safed to her entreaties and adjuratious.
.'Choose at once" was the only al
tentative he offered her; ''the grave or
the goIdr'
She saw that there was no hope of
mercy at his hands; and, as she saw
it, her native resolution awoke in her
bosom. Like the generality of her
sex, she was timid at trif1es; a scratch
was subject of fear to her; drop of
blood caused her to faint; an unwont-
ed sound filled her soul with fear in
the night. But when her energies
were aroused by an adequate cause.
she proved, as her sex has ever done.
that in courage, in endurance, in pres
ence of mind, and in resources for
every emergency. she far surpassed
the bravest and coolest man.
swell, well, Heinrich she said, re-
signedly, 'What is to be. must be.
But if you take the money. l shall even
go along with ye. This will be no
home for me any more. But ease your
grip of nv neck Iittle-don't squeeze
so hard; | can't move, you hug me SO
tight. And if / can't stir, you can't t
get the money; that's clear, you know.
Besides, time presses; and if it be
done at all, it must be done quickly,
as the household will shortly be back
from Hersel."
The rufiian relaxed his grip and fin
ally let 90 his hold. Her reasons were
all cogent with his cupidity.
Come" she said; ''quick! quick!-
no delay. Tne money is in master
| bedroom"
She tripped upstairs. gaily as lark;
| he followed closely at her heels. She
led the way into her masters bedroom,
| and pointed out the Golfer in which his
| money was secured.
Here" she said, reaching him an
| axe which lay in a corner OF the room.
this will wrench it open at once; and
while you are tying it up, L shall just
| step upstairs to my own apartment,
and get q few things ready for our
flight, as well as my own little savings
for the last five years"
| The rufiian was thrown off his guard
by her openness and apparent anxiety
to accompany him. Like all cyclists,
| he deceived himself, when self-deceit
was most certain TO be his destruction.
| go lass" was all he said; "but be
not long. This job will be done in a
| twinkling."
She disappeared at the words. He
| Immediately broke open the chest, and
was soon engaged IN rummaging its
| contents.
As he was thus employed, however,
| absorbed in the contemplation OF his
prey, and eagerly occupied in securing Q
1t on his person. the brave-hearted girl
stole down the stairs on tip-toe. Creep
ing softly along the passages, she
| speedily gained the door of the cham
Der unseen by him, and likewise un-
| heard 1t was but the work OF mo-
ment for her to turn the key in the
wards and lock him in. This done.
i
the mill and gave the alarm.
"Fiyl fy!' sne shrieked to the child.
her masters little boy, an infant five
| years old, the only one within sight or
sound OF her. FLY fly to father! fly
on your lifei Tell him we shall all be
murdered an he haste not back! Fly!
| fyI"
The child. who was at play before
the door. at once obeyed the energetic
command of the brave girl. and sped
as fast as his tiny legs could carry him
on the road by which he knew his par
ents would return from church. HAM
chen cheered him onward, and inspir-
ed his little heart as he ran.
"Biess thee, boy! bless theer' she
| exclaimed, in the gladness of hel
heart; IAN master arrives in time,
will offer up taper on the altar o.
our blessed Lady of the Kreutzberg
by Bonn"
She sat down on the stone bench by
the mill door to ease her over-exeiteC
spirits; and she wept, as she sat. a
the thoughts of her happy deliver
ance.
"Thank Godr' she calculated,
"thank God for this escape. OH tbs
deadly villaini and l so fond OF HIN
tool!
A shrill whistle from the grated win,
dow of the chamber in which she hse
shut The rufiian Heinrich. caagat hes
ear, aud made her start al once te aes
| feet