The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1878-08-09
Selsrf Shrv.
A BROKEN BRIDGE.

| reached the little Welsh town of
Abermaw one boisterous afternoon in
autumn, at about four o'clock, after 4
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 the open sea; the
harbor lies about half mile up the
estuary, whilst between the town and
the bridge was the outline Of huge
bridge, then in the course of construc-
ton. Abermaw is little bit of place,
consisting of a hotel, few shops, a
church, chapel of ease and halfa dozen
lodging houses, which are built on a
platform of sand, the work of the sea
and river in concert or in conflict. The
old fishing village is perched upon the
rock above, tier upon tier, the Intel
stone of one house looking down 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 farther shore of the estuary was
triangular spit of sand, across which was
track that joined the high road at a
point where it commenced to mount the
shoulder of a wave-beaten cliff on the
fence Of which it was terraced, for on
the further or southern side of the estu-
airy the sea washed up to the very base
of the rocks that formed the rugged
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 Abermaw, but
it could not be reached by any practi-
cable track in less than from ten to
twelve miles, for the river took a sweep
to the north, and, in addition to the de-
tour thus caused, the first bridge where
the road crossed the river was at point
a good way wide Of Dolbadarn, so that,
altogether, the distance was heightened
to that above mantioned. On the other
hand, if you crossed the ferry and made
your way across the sand to the highway,
the distance was much the same, and
this latter route was of course only prac-
ticable to foot passengers.
Although had reached Absrmaw in
the guise of a free and independent
pedestrian, yet my liberty was of re-
stricted nature. My wife and children
had gone by the regular coach route 10
Dolbadarn, and had crossed the noun
tains by wild footpath, promising to
join them that night at Dolbadarn in
time for dinner, for L had intended to
take the coach at Abermaw, which would
have brought me to the end of my
journey in good time, This coach, how
ever, 1 had missed just five minutes.
My walk that day had been long one,
and l 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
80 abrupt, and, as l thought offensive, in
answer to my inquiries, that resolved,
come what might, he should not be
sixpence richer for me.
/ walked on till came to little pub
lie house at the farther end Of the town,
close to the rough quarters that border
ed the estuary, and turned in there for
a glass of beer, and a crust of bread and
cheese, as well as for the purpose of
making few inquiries as to my route.
"Well, indeed" said Evan Rowlands,
the landlord, there's no possible way to
get to Dolbadarn tonight, unless you
take car from Mr.. Jones'"
Il shan't have car from Mr. Jones'"
/ said. Can hire one somewhere else?"
Evan shook his head; there was no
horse or car in Abermaw except the
horses and cars owned by Mr. Jones.
@Very well then," 1 said, "I will walk" !"
Not possible" said Evan; "it's more
than ten miles"
81 wouldn't mind the distance, only /
have walked fve-and-twenty miles al
ready"
"Dear me-" said Evan, Gyou're very
strong"
Cant l get boat part of the way?"
then suggested.
Evan put his head out at the door.
NO." he cried, @the tide has Just turn
led; it is running down very strong"
"Then there is nothing for it but
walking" 1 said; Il must go round by
Lianfair bridge" but 1 didn't like the
idea of this ten miles walk through the
mist and gathering gloom.
Stop said Evan. Why shouldn't
you go over the bridge-the railroad
bridge?"
as the bridge passable then? Can 1
get acrosss"
-Oh dear, yes. The gentleman from
the railway come over very often, and
to-day, Hugh Pugh and David Morris did