St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-11-12
TIN, THE TOLL-KEEPER.
legend OF Early Days on the
Coast Of Maine.

The Fate That Overlook .. Avaricio.s 0sA
Its Strange Fulnilnent-How
the Bridge Became Free.
IL you have ever cr,lised among the
perplcxing reaches and inlets that en-
tangle the coast of Maine, perhaps you
have seen Tins Bridge" queer de-
formed little fabric Of blockaded logs
spanning an arm Of the sea, locally
known as Clam river. Worn and weak
ened by the service of three genera
tions Of travellers, it trembles under
the passing of . heavy team, as IL its
days of usefulness were nearly over;
and the draw. when it opens. totters
ON its infirm and decaying pier like an
old man with failing limbs.
Within q hedge of unkcmpt fish
wcirs and fringed with q growth Of
scraggy spruces, here lies the sleepy
island town Of Hocla mock, cut from
the main by this meandcring arm Of
the Sea, and united to it by Tins
bridge. Opposite is Browsie. IN an
cient and fishy hamlet in whose streets
the grass grows now, but the scene Of
stirring business in the days when
Phippe, the Knight Of the Spanish
Doubloons, was building his ships and
fitting out his brave expeditions
To these shores about three-quarters
of . century ago. when the fishermen
and farmers of the two old towns were
In the heyday of their prosperity, came
= settler named Tim Stubs. Where
he came from nobody knows His be-
ginning. like his end, is involved in
mystery. 1t ID, however, . well-estab-
lished fact that he built tho bridge, the
wiseacres of the day shaking their
heads at his venture and vowing that
he never would get his money back,
but it did come back, swelling to .
stream of silver and copper coin that
made Tim St,.bbs the richest man in
HockamOck.
When he opened the bridge there was
great rejoicing in the two towns II
was such . wonderful accommodation
to travellers that they willingly paid
the tolls. Some of the fishermen and
coasting shippers grumbled At having
to luf up and hang of for Tim to open
his draw. but they soon became aecus-
toned to il and blew their horns and
conch-shclls chccrily, always giving the
alarm just before they rounded the
sharp bend made by the reach little
below the bridge. As for the steam
boats that now pass and repass every
day, they had not vexed these waters
when our story begins
- AZ
who went through his bridge or over il,
Tins nature was rs dwarfcd and ugly
rs its frame, and he fed it on nothing
but his tolls He lived in . little house
at the Hochamock end Of the bridge.
together with his boards and dingy yell
low dog. When he stretched out his
palm for his toll. he had never . word
OF greeting for the passer-by. and If one
vcnturcd q good morning." Tim
silently hurried away his money Is
though civil word might break the
spell that protected it
Old Squire Dummer, Of Hockamock.
came tearing down the road to the
bridge one dark night. his horse In .
gallop
'Opcn the gate. Tim, open the gate!
It's . matter of life and death!" he
bawled.
There Tim stood as unresponsive ss
death itself. his dog BY his sido. the
gate shut and barred
.Quick!'' roared the equire. ''I'm
after the doctor for my wife-she's like
20 die"
Tins only answer was to hold out
that hairy hand Of ms. while the dog
gave q low growl.
''What do you mean. you knave?"
Squire Dummer cried, swelling with
anger. Would you risk my wife's life
for tuppcnce?"
Excited and fuming he searched his
pockets fer coin while his horse paved
and reared.
Hi there: whoa, boy! Confound you.
I haven't penny in my breecheel
Whoa. hoy, steady! III pay you to-mor-
row, man. Open the gate in heavens
name!"
But the grim statue did not move so
much as finger till the squire. fairly
afire with indignation. threw down his
watch and fob for toll.
When, next day, he told the villagers
of the affair. the warnest indignation
was kindled on both sides of the river,
though perhaps it never would have
burned Tins earn but for Aunt Han
nah Ricks.
The scuryy villain" she muttcred,
her gray eyes flashing, "Il give him .
piece of my mind, il no one else Glares
to say. word!' And away she hob
blcd on her crutch down to the bridge
a poor, bent and shrivelcd old wom-
nm. with face unplcasautly sharp and
a tongue that was sharper still
"Ah. Tim" said she, shaking her
long, bony finger in his face, '.ye won't
be at your tricks much longer!"
..What do you mean?" growicd Tim.
II mean robbing and abusing folks
and taking their watches and fobs
when you've no right to theE-that's
what I mean"
'Get along, you old hsg: I won't
stand such tslk-' said Tim, with .
glare.
"Hear me out, miserable man" Aunt
Hannah went on. Let me tell You
that it's for the Evil One you're doing /!
ali this. It's for the Evil One you're |
your neighbors and chest |
ing your own body and soul!"
"You WITCH" Tom screamed. almost
beside himself with anger. BE Oh or
ri have you hung"
.sBah!- retorted the beAsme. with .
snap OF her fingers.