The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-08-18
A BROKEN BRIDGE.

A BROKEN BRIDGE.
I Preached tho little Welsh town OF
Abermaw one boisterous afternoon in
autumn at about four o'clock, after q
long tramp over the mountains. Aber-
nav, as its 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 I; the
harbor lies about half q mile up the
estuary; whilst between the town and
the harbor was the outline OF huge
bridge then in course OF construction.
Abermaw is little bit OF place, con.
sisting Of hotel, few shops, church,
chapel of ease, and q half dozen
lodging.houses, which arc built on o
platform Of sand, the work Of the sea
aud river in concert or in conflict. Tho
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 contriye to break
their necks.
The further shereof the estuary was
o triangular spit OF sand, across which
was track that Joined the high road at
point where II commenced TO mount
the shoulder Of wave.beaten cliff on
the face of which It was terrnced; for
on the further or southern side Of the
estuary the sea wished up TO the very
base OF the rocks that formed the rug
Eed fringe OF this iron.bound coast.
There was ferry from tho 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 tile town OF Dolbadarn.
As the crow flies, Dolbadarn was not
more than seven miles distant from Aber-
NAV, but 1t could not be reached by
any practicable track In less than from
ten 70 eleven miles; for the river took
wide sweep TO the north, and, in addi.
tion " 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 lengthen6d to that above mention.
ed. On the other hand, II you crossed
the ferry, and made your wayacross the
sand to the highway, the distance was
much the same, and this latter route
was OF course only practicable to foot
passengers.
Although / had reached Abermaw in
the guise Of free and independent pc
destriau, yet my liberty was Of 0 re.
stricted nature. My wife and children
had gone by the regular coach route to
Dolbadarn, aud 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 10 the end OF my jour
ney IN good time. This coach, how
ever, had missed by just five minutes.
Ny walk that day had been a long one.
and was rather tagged, 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, rs 1 thought, offensive,
in answer TO my inquiries, that |
resolved, come what might, he should
not be q sixpence the richer Of me.
Iwalked on till came 70 little pub
lie house at the further end OF the town,
close TO the rough quay that borde-ed
the estuary, and turned in there for o
glass OF beer and crust OF bread and
cheese, ms well as for the purpose
OF making few inquiries as to my
s@eIl, indeed, . said Evan Row
lands, the landlord, "there's no possi-
BILE way to get 10 Dolbadarn tonight,
not unless you take . car from MIR.
aI shan't have a carfrom Mr.. Jones, I"
/ said. = Can't i hire one anywhere
else ~ 3hialfk
Evan shook his head there was no
horse or car in AbGrmaw except the
horses and cars owned by Mr.. Jones.
every well, then,p ! said, 1 would
walk. .,,
more than ten miles, l10li.t y =.
r. : al wouldn't mind the distance, only
I've walked fve.and-twenty miles al
"beAr me II said Evan; you're very
strong |" ,n. az
Evan put his head out at the door.
nNoio lie cried; I" the tide has Just
turned, and II is running down very
strong.n a.,
aThen there Is nothing for II but
walking" !" / said; !" must go round BY
Llaniair Bridge. But didn't Ike
much the idea Of this ten miles walk
through the mist and gathering gloom.
"stop |" said Evan. "Why shouiidn.
you 20 over the bridge-the railway
bridge9p Ir
as the bridge passable, then Can
you get aerossY" u.
"oh, dear, yes Tho gentlemen from
the railway come over very often, aud
to-day Hugh Pugh and David MorriI
did come over from the Dolbritf
%ASi what & Tho distance that viii
save me7" tHsf, s.'
nFour or ave miles; yes, sure"
" And the bridge 10 quite saie T. -.
"oh Il Is very strong and safe In