Louisiana capitolian., 1880-07-03
THE RAILROAD BRIDGE

THE RAILROAD BRIDGE.
About three years ago my sailor FRIEND
Harry Moordale, went as passenger IN
the ship Tempest, bound to Havre' at
which port he arrived in due course OF
time. Among other passengers there
was beautiful Swiss girl, whose name
Harry learned was Mary Lorme. Her
stem was like a rce's. her teeth were as
white as tie rim of daisy, her voice
resembled the inkling of a silver bell,
and purple black hair that fell IN RIP
pling masses belowl her waist. My t@!end
had yentured once or twice to address
,be maiden, and her timid, modest hait-
frightened manner seemed TO repel an
intimate acouiantance. She had ln1or-
med the young man, however, that she
had been to New York TO assist female
cousin engaged in the dry good business;
that, soon afror her arrival there, her
relative had died, largely in debt, where
upon Mary had concluded tn return
home to her father, who, Ill spite OF
severe illness, had. in accordance with
IN agreement by letter, come to Dijon
with the old family coach to walt tor
her. Having learned this much, Harry
took great interest in the sirl,and felt
almost bound to act the knight for one
in her lonely, defenseless condition
When the boat-which, among other
passengers, contained her and him
struck the landing, Harry politely
offered to carry the fair ones carpet-bag,
which, containing, besides her clothing,
such articles as Howerlines for hosiery,
etc, was very heavy. She thanked him
with her usual sweet smile, just raising
the long lashes OF her soft eyes, reveal
mo both orbs glistening like diamonds
He took the bag and the young couple
entered the diligence which was te
carry them to Paris. There they finally
arrived, ten minutes TOO late Tor tha
davis train. The travellers were intor
med. however, that there was anothe
train at station fifteen miles distant
nreparing to start in five hours
"Is there no conveyance to the place:
Nueried Harry.
He was answered in tie negative b.
the polite official.
81 must 90 on" exclaimed Mary
NV father, l am afraid, is very sick.
must see him as soon as can.' 81. e
"Fifteen miles is long distance
walk" said Harry.
mot for me- answered Mary, smiling
The Swiss, you know, are great walker:
have been brought up to it almo
from infancy
AS her soft, pleading eyes seemed
say, "You must so With ne, har'
could not resist the appeal The
started moving along the railroad, +
there was no other way. Whcneye
they came to log or rut, Harry won
extend his hand and assist his pref
companion, when, with smile and
shake of the head, she would leap ov
the obstruction as nimbly as a taw
They had proceeded ten miles, VIII
they saw the SUI go down hehint
range of blue hills in the distance I
two were moving along high brid
raised upon piles about 200 feet trt
the earth, which, beneath it, was roe
and inundated here and there by foa
inp torrents. Ahead of them the ira
elers perceived that for ? distance
about 100 yards there We're no CT
blanks between the rails Thereto
in order to rayerse this space, Mary a
her companion must walk upon
track. Unfortunately, the track v
rot very broad, yet person OF stea
balance, capable of maintaining his
possession in spite of the yawn'ns ao
o., each side of him, might oceasiona
derive support from the beam project
outward several inches beyond eachs
Of the track, which was riveted upon
Frail support this, however WITH IN
Jagged rocks, 300 feet below ready
receive the Unfortunate ad7entuFer
sboula make the slightest mlss1
Harry paused, looked at his IA fF'e
and shuddered.
"We had better turn about, salo
-.