The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-07-26

$500 PRIZE STORY.


About forty miles inland from the
coast OF California is long, narrow
valley, curving in and out to suit the
vaps es OF boisterous little river
the SAa Miguel.
A high banked railroad adapts itself
Just rs faithfully to the undulating line
OF water. Twice, however, in the val
aey's length, IL crosses the stream by
covered bridges, emerging from them
TO wind on as before by the waters
edge.
The firFt bridge is within quarter of
mile from the entrance of the valley.
and the little village OF Dickson's juno
tion is in plain sight The second
bridge is three miles from the first, in
che lonely heart of the hills. The hill Is
form slopinR background for the
keepers house ut the north end OF the
bridge, but in front they rise so steep
Ms 70 seem almost perpendicular.
No other houses are in sight. The
nearest is at Dicbson's Junction. A
number OF trains pass day and night.
but none stop at the keepers house.
The "keeper " of the bridge some
wears ago was Scotchman called
Donald Oraieie-a hard featured, tall
and large-honed man. with STOPPING
shoulders and weather-beaten face.
In his earlier days he had been q
miner-an sdventuresome and success
ful one. Bnt all at once misfortune
came upon him. The bank failed in
which be had placed his earnings /:
there were many sad hearts, but his
perhaps was saddest.
Not only was the work of lifetime
gone, Init the hopes of a lifetime too.
The old mother in Scotland whom he
bad left when mere boy he could not
now expect to see.
When the news OF her death came
few months afterward he was hardly
surprised-he had felt in his heart that
it would be so. But this was not the
worst few weeks more and his sweet
wife died, leaving him alone in the
world with helpless baby daughter.
And now for year or two he carried
on desperate struggle with fortune /;
so desperate that it is not much wonder
he grew bitter and gloomy. When at
last through an old mining acqaaint-
ance, who, more fortunate Hhan him
self, was BOW wealthy director of the
San Miguel railroad, he was offered the
post of brid0e.keeper, he was glad to
accept it. The pay was small, but it
WIS sure and above all it gave him a
home and the chance of keeping little
Jenny under his own care.
So here in the rough cottage by the
bridge he anchored, and was bridge
tender. housekeeper and father all in
one He taught Jenny her alphabet
when she was old enough; he made her
clothes and curious affairs they were;
he whitfield cut little playthings for
her; he told her rambling and poorly
invented stories, and found the interest
of his life in her daily pleasures and
griefs.
Once fortnight in summer, once a
month or less in the rainy season, he
went to the Junction for provisions,
matches, thread or whatever was
needed in his little household. He
spoke to no one except those he had
dealings with. His old acquaintances
he quite passed by.
With bowed head and hasty steps he
went through the town, did the neces-
bdfy 6fEauuS anu uuTTl6u AWAY DI6tlH-
ing more freely as he left the houses
behind him and entering the deep val
ley came nearer to his bridge and
Jenny. For Jenny was such comfort
She was growing up into a slender,
delicate little creature, wsrm-hearted
and loving, but sensitive and grave be-
yond her years. The father and child
lived like two hermits, saying little to
each other, happy in the mere being
together.
1t was a great day when she first went
to the village, when she was in her
sixth year. Part of the way her father
darried her, part of the way she trotted
by his side, her hand in his, and talking
with unusual animation.
But as they went up the long street,
hand in hand, somehow her baby eager
\ ness died away. She felt rather than
understood the amusement, almost
ridicule, with which they were greeted
And they must have been a queer
looking pair-the child especially
must have attracted attention with hel
outlandish dress and frightened, Wilt
little face.
It was only human nature after al
that the children should giggle and the
Rn.up people stare; but all the
81. nIeI1 faIt a - a-----