Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1892-06-24
OVER THE TORRENT.

WIG Toll ioCiHB tne iallS anu placed
camp chair handy.
why notp" said my cousin Alice
seating herself and taking out some
crayons as carefully as If we were
still upon the river bluff. Il want to
sketch and am tired of the hotel. "
This with a nod toward the c.
house a great summer caravansary
near by. The view here is simply
superb. What more would you
havep"
held my hat on my head while
she was speaking and felt the won
derful structure beneath our feet
SILVER and sway like some living be-
Ing under the strength Of. the strong
wind then blowing.
A suspension bridge was both a
rarity and wonder forty years ago
Cautious people ventured upon it with
much the feeling OF one who enters a
balloon for the first time. Men rode
over it. divided between desire to
be across and the fear OF driving too
last lest they should shake the thing
Town The sober opinions OF many
ordinarily intelligent people concern
ing 1T would be laughed at by school
boy now.
Upon this particular morning was
oollged. to cross over early to the
other side upon business that could
not be delayed. My cousin said she
would go with me as far as the toll
Keepers gate and sketch the bridge.
But on arriving there we found that
The tollkeeper's booth was closed and
himself absent Itafterward appeared
that the man was sleeping of the
effects OF nights carouse. Had he
been at his post, as he should have
been, the state OF affairs which re.
suited later on and the mad agony Of
lear through which we both passed
would have been averted.
When Alice saw that there was no
convenient point of view at hand
from the shore she went with me upon
the bridge.
just little further; only q little
.urther," she kept repeating, before
| go back. Why Jack, the view is
too lovely for anything out here!
don't believe there is a bit of danger"
And so she accompanied me out
upon the structure to the middle.
There tho raging river bounded far
beneath us. and the mist from the
Tails above rose before us like the
white SIN oke OF an unseen counacra-
ton. We leaned over the iron rail
way that alone separated us from de.
struction until l myself drew back,
'airly dizzy under tantalizing Curl
osity to lean farther over
'Alice." said. Il don't suppose
there is really any danger yet
should feel safer to know that YOU had
gone back"
But as We have seen. Alice had
made up her mind to stay. BY hurry
ing over | thought could return in
half an hour. Nothing could happen
20 her in that time, and yet l was
vaguely uneasy. 1t was ridiculous to
that the bridge was not safe
II had stood several months. and was
surely good for another hour. But
lear and reason do not always go to-
gether, and / should have laughed at
myself Alice, however was serene
as the sunrise that had just taken
place. Artistic fervor had numbed
her womanly qualms., and as looked
back after leaving her she was bend
ing absorbedly over her work.
l was detained upon business longer
han | expected to be. and couple of
hours elapsed before my return. As
reached the summit OF a gentle
elevation that brought the bridge into
view loud hallooing near by at
,racted my attention. ! glanced in
hat direction and perceived that q
irove of cattle had just passed in be-
'ween the towers close by. and were
ostling each other in wild confusion
Is they rushed upon the bridge.
At this time of the year many droves
II cattle. sheep and hogs were driven
over the route as at this period rail-
Dad transportation was still in its in
ancy. The confused trampling of
uch herds always caused the airy
to sway and SILVER in a way
which to unaccustomed nerves was at
AAHSS' "SSSAetOiJ apPdllluS.
l became at once alarmed for the
afety OF Alice. as l could see her still
eated near the center of the bridge.
over her sketch. | started
onward to let her know OF a possible
LANCER But to my horror. | saw
mother drove of cattle entering from
he opposite end. condition of things
'esulting from the absence OF the toll
Keeper.
BY this time Alice whose attention
lad been attracted by the noise and
he shaking OF the bridge. became
lware OF the peril. Each drove, hav-
ng already entered the narrow oppos-
ng portals seemed to DO beyond the
control OF the herders. The head
strong confusion of animals hardly
lrivcn upon strange roads was under
heso circumstances uncomfortable.
! snw her cast an alarmed look
sither way. She apparently recog-
lized that both avenues were hope
essly blocked. Then. probably the
dea came to her that sho was liable
o be gored or crushed between the
herds ! myself was help
ess TO aid her. otherwise than by
'houting; yet what advice could
yiveP
With a nerve | hardly expected.
'aw her climb over the wire cables.
With view OF clinging to them upon
he outside. in the hope OF avoiding
certain trampling to death She sue.
.eeded in gaining the outer narrow
dye OF the flooring and thus hung by
lands anu feet over gulf more than