Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1857-01-20

fringing of horror with the carrion arount
it, there to lie with face upturned to heav
en-, stark and bloody, and corrupt until ne
trace is left of the thing it was. 1t is
" shorter cut in the short distance from
the Coloners to Mr.. Timberwilk's cavern
and Christmas or something else has made
our traveller bold enough to take Hell
Hollow bridge for his way home, for by
such is the place known and has been for
years.
" A queer place, particularly odd
place, said jefferson, stepping carefully
on the bridge, and not without misgivings
6 Halo! who's there 2"
A man in the gloom with the snow fall
ing around him like veil. He is stand
ing on the edge of the bridge where the
railing has been torn away long ago for
fire-wood. The dark stories told of the
place come up very vividly, indeed, before
Mr.. Timberwilk. I've only got a small
case of lancets with me-" he thought,
but-perhaps he's admiring the pros
pect-an artist, perhaps"
Who's that 2"
+" Pass on, voice answered sharply,
"pass on in Gods name"
He isn't thief" thought Jefferson.
Arn't you well 7'
This was asked, for there was tone of
feeling in the general gruffness.
that would satisfy him
Mr.. I. vas of an enquiring nature-he
came from Vermont-and it didn't-
You'll excuse me, bu, really that is
such a very-you understand-such a
very, | may say melancholy look out that
there is nothing very remarkable in a
mans standing on bridge, indeed, men
often stand on bridges; but on such a
bridge and on such night
Wellr
Well, echoed Jefferson" there don't
move, my dear sir; there's large hole
by you. Well, as you say, for presume
you put the we'll interrogatively, under
these very uncomfortable circumstances,
you will excuse my curiosity, know; /
should like much to learn the result of
your nocturnal investigation of He'll Hol-
low, as made from its ancient bridge.
The man laughed, and said Mr. Tim
berwilk was cool, very"
"Fm seasonably," he replied, looking
the adventurer boldly in the face now,
"just seasonable."
Were you ever tired of life 2" the
man asked, turning abruptly, facing the
murky stream.
Bless me, no certainly not" replied
Mr.. t. A light was breaking in through
the nog.
g l am. If you hadn't come upon me
as You did it would have been over now
Go on your way"
Mr.. Timberwilk was creature of i'm
pulse. He was by the mans side in an
instant, and dragging him with all the
force of his strength away off the bridge
No you don't; not quite"
"Quit your hold" gaspeG the man, and
struggling fiercely, for Mr.. Timberwilk
had coiled his grasp round his cravat,
and he was in some danger of being
strangled.
Presently" cried jefferson.
"I'll do that, then, will make you"
But the descending arm was caught,
and the grasp was tightened. The would
be suicide was no match for the Younger
man.
Let me 60" gasped the man, b" and
I'll promise"
They were now off the bridge.
Promise what2 Not to attempt that
kind of thing again O.
And if don't %
Il shall be compelled, my aqueous
friend, to hand you over to the police, and
you'll be fined five dollars in the morn
ing"
Pshaw! What good would that
serve2 Well, promise
There" releasing him, mind you
keep it."
Timberwils placed himself between
the stranger and the bridge.
It's wonder we didn't fall through, -
he said, looking back upon it. d" S,ran-
ger, you'd better GO home"
Il have none. Home, indeed"
Do you mean to say, being of sound
mind and body, which former allow me
to doubt, that you havn't home Des-
titu,e, and that style of thing, eh 2''
No roof but that" said the stranger,
pointing above.
pleasant covering IN summer" said
, Jefferson. "N Not agreeable about Christ.
mas. Come with me-