The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1892-04-15
A LEGEND OF A BRIDGE
HOW THE DEVIL HELPED TO
COMPLETE IT.
The Arch Demon Drove Hard Bargain
but Was OutwIttsd by the Clever
ArchIte ct-DABger In the
Second Arch.

Few towns l fancy combine within
their walls so many buildings OF in
terest and so many memories dear to
mankind as Regensburg. We sat
down upon the pavement in the mark
et-place to muse of these things our
backs to a church wall, and our hats
full Of freshly picked strawberries,
from the basket of an equally fresh
peasant lassie who delighted in seeing
US eat her fruit But the monument
most interesting to canoeist is the
stone bridge claimed by Regensburg-
crs TO be the strongest in the world.
At any rate the span between the
piers is no wider than the buttresses,
and the river rushes through so turbu-
lently as to create very risky look
ing whirlpools and rapids below. The
engineer troops OF Ingolstadt have to
take pilots when they pass this town,
and we were strongly urged to do the
same; but we had no room and con-
sequently determined to try for our
selves. We succeeded by choosing
the light-hand arch, writes Poultuey
Bigelow in Harper's Magazine, and
our success was in spite OF the devil;
for his share In its construction was
very great as every Danube sailor
will attest.
he story runs that whilo the Ca
thedral was in course OF construction.
the chief architect Entrusted to a very
clever apprentice the task OF making
tfMridge, The young man felt SO
co..ndent that he offered to span the
Danube before his master had finished
the cathedral. But he finally found
that he had undertaken too much, for
the sacred pile went up with great
steadiness while the bridge moved
with great difficulty. The youngster
finally vented his Encouragement in
blasphemous wishes that the devil
might take over the job.
No sooner spoken than venerable
monk appeared and offered to do the
work. In his sandals were cloven
hoofs and tail whisked under the
sacred garb but nevertheless bar
gain was made. and it was agreed that
when the bridge was done, the devil
was to have the first three living
things that crossed.
The devil kept his word All the
material came to hand with such
devilish rapidity that the morning
broke upon II completed bridge.
1t was May day. and Of course a
great crowd was present each eager
to be first in crossing so new and mag
nifcent a thoroughiare. The devil,
delighted with his bargain, rubbed his
hands under the second arch from the
shore and waited for his victims.
"a Stop" said the architect to the
crowd. Stand back! In the open
ing OF this bridge we have solemn
ceremony to perform before it can be
pronounced safe. Jacob" said he,
with d wink to his foreman, 'let the
strangers take precedence. At these
words a rough woIf-dog, followed by
| d COGh anu u hClli Ntbo oOO CIV lul o.
and crossed the first arch of the
bridge. At the same time dreadful
noise was heard under the piers The
mangled remains OF the three animal,
flew in all directions. and the devi
was seen to disappear screaming
"cheatedl cheated of my fee!" The
monks now spriukled holy water OF
the bridge and the happy people re
joiced.
The second arch of the Regensbure
bridge, as If to prove the legend il
still savagely bent upon destroying
the boatman venturing beneath it
and as we had no desire to measure
the strength Of our paddle with tina
of the devils pitchfork we CAREFUL
avoided it. and advise all others to d
the same.