The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1872-05-25
THE DEVILS BRIDGE.

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its narrow and stony bed, at depth of
fifty feet from the carriage road, be-
tween two walls formed of almost per-
pendicular rocks well, this same
Reuss formerly intercepted all COM
munication between the inhabitants of
the Val de Cornarra and those of the
valley of Goschenen; that is to say.
between the Grisons and the people of
Uri. This impossible barrier caused so
much loss to the two cantons border
ing on the stream, that they assembled
the most sklllful architects, and, ac-
cordingly, at the common expense, sew
eral bridges were built at various Pc
RODS, from bank to bank, not one of
which had ever proved sufficiently solid
to withstand for more than one year
the violence of the tempests, the noun
tain torrents, or the falls of avalanches.
One last attempt of this kind had been
made toward the close of the fifteenth
century, and the winter being now al
most past, hopes were raised that this
time the bridge would resist all attacks
when one morning villager came in to
inform the bailli of Groschenen that
the passage was again intercepted.
''Well, then" cried the worthy bail
Ii, IN pet, 1T is only the devil that
can build us one"
He had scarcely uttered the words
when his servant announced that a
stranger desired to speak to his wor-
ship on pressing business.
"ShOw him in," said the Bailli. The
domestic retired, and presently ushered
III man of about thirty or five and
thirty years of age, clad in the German
fashion that is to say, wearing pair
OF red tight pantaloons. and a close
fitted jacket of black cloth slashed at
the sleeves, and disclosing to view a
lining of fame-colorcd satin. His
head was covered with cap of peculiar
form, style of head-dress to which a
long crimson plume lent by its undula-
tlons peculiar grace.
"To whom" said the bailli. motion
ing his visitor politely to a seat, "have
L the honor of speaking
The stranger, after a cautious glance
around to ascertain that they were
alone, walked up to the bailli, and
whispered something in his ear.
The worthy magistrate gave utterance
to long, low whistle. ooh that's
1t Z" quote he.
g Exactly So" said the stranger,
quietly. mot SO black, eh and all
that sort of thing; excuse me, [ know
what you are thinking of but now that
we understand one another, let's make
ourselves comfortable :" so saying he
drew aohair to the fri, seiZeu poker,
and gave the Goals o vigorous stir.
:" 1t is deuced cold up here" quoth the
stranger; "won't you come into the
fire, as we say in Scotland?" The
balll1 did not require a second bidding.
but drew up his chair and placed his
feet on the fender, while the stranger
deposited his on the hob.
well my good friend" commenced
the stranger, $50 you want a little of
my assistance, eh?'
own, mOnseigneur, replied the
ballll, "that your valuable aid would
not be altogether useless"
For this COMPOUNDED bridge, is it
not? Well, it is an article of such alb
solute necessity ?"
We can none of rs get across
Ha, ha !" laughed the stranger.
Come, now, be good natured. +" re-
Sumed the ballll after a minutes, pause;
"build us one"
That Is precisely what l came to
propose to you"
Well, then, the only point that re-
mains to be discussed is The BALL
hesitated
1.-The price, added the stranger
regarding his interlocutor with singu,
lar expression of cunning.
YES, stammered out the bailli.
feeling that 1t would be there the rub
would be-
"Oh ! as to that, y said the stranger.
balancing himself as he spoke, on the
hinder legs of his chair, while he
amused himself, by pairing his nails
with the bailli's penknife, ain the first
place, let me promise that | do not in
tend to be hard upon you on that
point.
'Ah come now, that's very pleas
ant said the bailli. Lets see
the last bridge cost us sixty marks of
gold; we will double this sum for the
new one, but we really cannot 90 fur
Their than that
"Pshaw what do ] want with vour
gold " replied the stranger II
make 1T as / want it. Look here"
Whlie thus speaking, the stranger
took red-hot coal out of the middle
OF the 1lre, with as much ease as he
would have picked an almond ont of y
comtit-box. Hold out your hand"
SAID he to the bailli.
The BALI hes1teted. "Dont he
afraid" continued the stranger: and
SO saying, he placed in the bailli's fin
gers an ingot of the purest gold, as
cold as If 1t had at that moment been
dug from the mine. The bailli turned
IL round IN every direction, and, after
careful examination, handed it back TO
the visitor.
No, no, keep it, said latter, pass
ing one leg over the other with a self
sufficient air; keep it as little SON
'enlr OF our very pleasant interview. " |
must understand by this" said
The ballli, carefully ,iepositinr the cold |
however, IN large leathern purse. 81
must understand, | say, by this, that if |
gold costs you such small pains in the
manufacturing, you would rather be
bald III other coin; but as ] am at a
oss to know what recompense would be
greeable TO you to name your own con-
litions.
The stranger reflected for moment
+" | desire, said he, at length. "tbat
he first individual who shall pass over
his bridge may belong body and soul
o me"
g Agreed" said the bailli.
s bargain, then" said his visit
+; a." let us prepare the deedS-dictate