The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-23
THE DEVILS BRIDGE.
A SWISS LEGEND.


We were in Switzerland, at Goschenen,
a charming village $500 feet above the level
of the sea, at the entrance OF the tunnel of
the Saint Gothard.
In the morning at o'clock we took car
risge to go to the glacier Of the Rhone.
Nothing could be more picturesque and
more beautiful than this glacier road. 1t
wound about, ascending constantly, until at
! the end of five hours and a half we arrived
at the pass of the Furka, at the glacier Of
the Rhone. at "a hight OF 1900 feet.
We had been following the course of the
Reuss, a mighty, foaming torrent, whirliug
! about the masses OF rock rs if it would bear
| them along on It's wild and terrible way to
the valley.
Then we passed over the Devils bridge. a
| wonderful single arch thrown over the tor
rent, and there we heard the curious legend
which gvae it its name.
This is the legend as IL was told:
The two cantons Of Uri and UnterWald
were formerly separated by the Reuss and
no communication could be established be-
tween them, because the torrent carried
| away all the bridges which could be con-
structed over its bed.
One day the people came and told the
bailiff of the canton Of Uri that the newest
| anu LO6 D6SJ DTluR6 over DullC nhu Oeeu car
| red away the night before. To describe the
bailiff's fury would be impossible. None
| but the devil, said he, loan ever accom-
plish this work.
Upon these words the balliff's servant APP
peared with convulsed features announcing
IN a trembling voice. His Satanic Majesty"
The dwell entered with low bow. He was
| dressed like Swiss peasant, and his long
tail hung below his trousers behind He
| seated himself at ease il an armchair, and
resting his cloven feet on the glowing brands
In the fireplace: "You called me, be-
lieve!"
"No-yes," replied the bailiff
| For the construction of bridgeW con-
| tinued the devil.
The service you speak OF would be OF in
| estimable value to us"
| For nothing you get nothing says the
proverb," continued Satan.
| I'VE expended ton ounces of gold for the
| last bridge, and | would willingly pay you
double that sum for the bridge you would
| engage to build for US
| bah If you have nothing but money
to offer me, you may keep it. have all
| the money | care for" And picking up a
! glowing coal from the fire with his fingers
| he put 1t into the bailiif's money bag, when,
| for marvel, the coal became an ingot Of
| gold as cold as "A morsel of ice.
VERY we'll. then; what will you havew
| nero, Iehu huu sign LllH paper, bnAJ Is
what l wish. " and drawing a paper from
his pocket the devil laid it before the
| bailif.
The latter read as follows: Satan shall
have for his own the first soul which shall
pass over the bridge which he, Satan, en-
gages to build in "a single night
The bailiff, after a moments reflection
| wrote his name below the agreement; the
devil did the same, put the paper into his
pocket, and disappeared, leaving a strong
| odor OF sulphur behind him.
The next DAY a superb bridge SPAWNED the
| Reuss, and the builder sat on a stone in the
road, waiting for his promised reward.
Suddenly in the distance he sa W the bailif
coming, carrying a sack on his back.
"How Is thisN cried the devil. "are you
coming to cross the bridge first, my dear
triend-to sacrifice yourself for your COM
patriotsp
mot precisely" replied the other. in a
knocking tone. Then he stopped and let
down his sack at the end of the bridge, un-
tied the cord that bound 1t, and let out of
it a great black cat which crossed the
bridge with rapid bounds.
wretch" screamed the devil, "you
thought you would trick me, but 1t will do
you no good" and taking up an immense
mass of rock, he was about TO annihilate his
work when a procession OF priests appeared,
with the cross borne before them and banners
flying, to bless the bridge. At this sight
Satan quickly dropped the rock and disap-
peare, bowling in disappointment and rage
When the bailif put his hand into his
money bag for the ingot of gold he burned
his fingers on L red hot coal.