Connecticut western news., 1873-08-22
A BROKEN BRIDGE.

A BROKEN BRIDGE.
 reached the little Welsh town of Abermaw one boisterous afternoon in autumn at about four o'clock, after Q long tramp over the mountains. Aber- maw, as it's name implies, is situated at the mouth of the river Nav, which here forms an estuary about mile broad. The town itself faces tho open sea the harbor lies about half a mile up the estuary whilst between the town and the harbor was the outline of huge bridge then in course of construction. Abermaw is Q little bit of q place, con- sisting of hotel, few shops, church, a chapel of ease, and half dozen lodging houses, which are built on Q platform of sand, the work of the sea and river in concert or in conflict. The old fishing village is perched upon the rocks above, tier upon tier, the Intel stone of one house looking down upon the chimney of the house below, and is reached by rude rocky steps, where the children of the village swarm up and down, and yet rarely contrive to break their necks.
 The further shore of the estuary was @ triangular spit of sand, across which was track that joined the high road at point where 1t commenced to mount the shoulder of wave-beaten cliff on the face of which it was terraced; for on the further or southern side of the estuary the sea washed up to the very base of the rocks that formed the rug ged fringe of this iron-bound coast. There was ferry from the Abermaw side to the spit of sand, and thence, by detour of several miles, you could make your way along the southern bank of the river to the town of Dolbadarn. As the crow flies, Dolbadarn was not more than seven miles distant from Aber- maw, but it could not be reached by any practicable track in less than from ten to eleven miles for the river took wide sweep to the north, and, in addi- tion to the detour thus caused, the first bridge where the road crossed the river was point good way wide of Dolba- darn, so that, altogether, the distance was heightened to that above mention ed. On the other hand, if you crossed the ferry, and made your way across the sand to the highway, the distance was was of course only practicable to foot passengers. '''
 Although had reached Abermaw in the guise of @ free and independent pe- destrian, yet my liberty was of 8 re- stricted nature. My wife and children had gone by the regular coach route to Dolbadarn, and I had crossed the noun tains by wild foot track, promising to join them that night at Dolbadarn in time for dinner for I had intended to take the coach at Abermaw, which would have brought me to the end of my jour- ney in good time. This coach, how ever, had missed by just five minutes. My walk that day had been long one. and was rather fagged, and should probably have hired conveyance for the remainder of the distance but the manner of the landlord of the hotel was so abrupt, and, as thought, offensive, in answer to my inquiries, that I resolved, come what might, he should not be sixpence the richer of me. I walked on till I came to little pub- lie house at the further end of the town, close to the rough quay that bordered the estuary, and turned in there for a glass of beer and crust of bread and cheese, as well as for the purpose of making few inquiries as to my route.
 "WelI, indeed" said Evan Row. lands, the landlord, "tlrere's no possi- ble way to get to Dolbadarn tonight, not unless you take car from MT. Jones'"
 "I shan't have car from Mir. Jones, J I said. "Can't I hire one anywhere 1 else?"
 Evan shook his head there was nc horse or car in Abermaw except the horses and cars owned by MT. Jones.
 "Very well, then," l said, would walk.
 "Not possible" said Evan; "it's more than ten miles,"
 "I wouldn't mind the distance, only I've walked fve-and-twenty miles al ready"
 Dear me p said Evan; you're very strong!'
 "Can't get a boat part of the way ? I suggested.
 Evan put his head out at the door "Now he cried; the tide has just turned, and it is running down very strong"
 "Then there is nothing for it bu walking," I said; "I must go round bJ E1anfair Bridge" But I didn't like much the idea of this ten miles walk through the mist and gathering gloom
 "Stop p said Evan. |" Why shouldn' you go over the bridge-the railway bridge p
 els the bridge passable, then ? Gar you get across ?"
 "Oh, dear, yes The gentlemen iron the railway come over very often, ant to-day Hugh Pugh and David Morri. did come over from the Dolbritl Quarry"
 "And what is the distance that vii save me ?" a-e.. ..-.- !
 "Four or five miles; yes, sure."
 "And the bridge is quite safe ?"
 "Oh ]. it is very strong and safe in 1eed or how should Hugh Pugh ant David Morris come over, and the rail way gentlemen, too yes, sure."
 "And the railway people won't objec bridge crossed the estuary at poin about quarter of mile from the little to my going over ?"
 "fhey've all quit work for the day and there won't be Q soul near th' bridge but yourself. .t .... .
 "Then of course I'll go over it.
 But found that there were certain difficulties in the way. The railroad inn that formed the extremity of tho