The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-09-30
Miscellaneous.
TIE DEVILS BRIDGE.

Nv
tween tho CirisOns and the people Of Uri. This
chn,nl was of such disadvantage to the two canons
I'm, separated that they assembled their most skill
M "a, architects and several bridges were built at tho
general expense from one side of the guph to the
other; but they never sufficiently strong to en-
dure more than yeNr, the tempests, the foods and
The avalanches One last attempt OF this kind had
been made towards the end of the 9th century, and
y 4, the winter nearly over, they began 10 think
that lhi, bridge would resist all nttacks, when ono
morning the bae of Goshenen informed that the
passage was again Intercepted.
x Nobody bu, the devil can build mo one cried the
bsiio.
He had scarcely finished the words when n serynn,
announced Satan,
Show him in, said The Baltic.
The serrantretired and ushercd in a man Of thirty
five 10 thr,y-six wears dressed in the German fash
ion, with vermilion tights and black justancorps cut
the nrm-holes so TO display dnobGt Of the COL
Woffre. Ills head was surmounted by BLOCK
aque TO which large plume added peculiar grace.
n Aner the customary compliments the Builie sat
himself in one armchair and the Devil in another, The
n Dale put his feet upon the andirons tho Devil put
3 b. very calmly on the Goals.
Well, my friend, said Satan, you are in want Of
me,
| acknowledges. replied the bne, that your assist
n snce would not he useless. .... ....... .....
For this cursed bridge is il nolf Well! hen it is
very necessary TO you.
"A We can't do without Il.
ia M,lh sa paw ..,.
n Cont, be good Devil, said the Bailie after n mo-
VI msHS silence, aDd build one.
Icame TO propose it,
WeM then we have nothing more TO do than to fix
upon the-the-- .f..." ... ...E
On the price, continued Satan, regarding his com
pnnOn With .inguIarIy malicious expression.
Yes replied the Buihe, feeling that il was on that
pOin, he should differ.
All! continued Satan balancing himseIf on the hind
lego Of his chair, and cutting his claws with the Bal
lies pen knife. shall be qnite liberal as TO that.
u elhat renssures said the Bailic. The as,
cost sixty golden marks. We will double this
sun for the new one and this is all we can do
What need have of your gold, replied Satan.
can make it when wish. Here. .. ..... .r.
tie took red hot coal from the fire he would
have taken sugar plum from dish. Hold your
hand said ne.
The tnile hesitaed-dont be afraid continued
Satan .. . ...
And he put into his hand Ingut ofthc puresi gold
as cold MS II il had just come from the mine The
Balie turned it over and over and wished to give it
back 10 Satan ... ..... ....... -.
No! no keep it, said he crossing his legs careless
y, make you present Of it.
understand, said theI'ailie, putting his lingut Of
gold INTO his pouch n. gold costs you no trouble to
maNeyou prefer TO he paid in some other coin. But
" DON, know what is most agreeable to you, pray
make the conditions YOURSELF
satan reflected an instant.
wish the soul Of the first being who shall pass
over my bridge. said he.
l'e 80 said the Bsilie.
Dictate Yourself ...
The 'aie took pen, ink and paper and prepared
10 write Five minutes after Satan signed the paper
an form, and the Balie added his name as empower
ed by his parishioners.
ihe Devil formally engaged himself by this act to
0n'd in one nishta bridge sufficiently solid to last
nuhaFsd ysars. and the magistrate, his part con-
een'd in payment the soul Of the first being whom
'"ahce or necessity should oblige the Reuss
over ''s dmbolical passage that Satan about to
improviso .. -... -.-. ... .i .-
49,, Inc next day at daybreak the bridge was finish
Inc Baltic soon appeared on the road from Goshen
;."'e came 10 see il the Devil had fulfilled his prom
ioo see that am of my word said Satan.
ana also, replied the Bailie .
how! my dear Curus, cried the Devil stu pified do
people. '' sou. W ~ >"o 'A'9 " " ''''
No' exactly, continued the Baltic placing at the
Op'"'og OF the bridge sack which he had brought
'p,u MS shoulder and which he began to open.
""at that? asked Satan, endeayorng to ascer-
An what he was about
SIS shouted the Bae and terrified dog with
WI "e''e tied to his tail iarted from the sack, and,
Saa s"g The bridge, bowling by the very feet of
lneFe said the Balie, there is your soul running
'""y' why don't you run after it sir /?
'a'dn was furious. He had expected the soul Of
man, and now was forced to content himself with
-, ' VI Dog But, however, he pretended to think
II, ~ excellent joke, and endeavored to laugh while
'a'',e was there, but rs soon as his back was ,,
sa'an began to prepare his feet and hands,t
'"0'eh The bridge which be he'd made. But no