The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-19
Jumpine OF the Natural Bridge.

Jumping of the Natural Bridge.
I propose to tell a story, new one,
in connection with the Natural Bridge
in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
There may be trifie of dizziness IN
the head when you hear it, for 1t has
to do with q couple of young scientists
who had an ague of agony on the edge
of that awful arch which spans space
above Cedar Creek. =,
Tourists take in Niagara. 1t is the
few travellers that seek the greater
wonder on the suset side of the Blue
Ridge in Virginia. The cataract IS
only great tumble of a big stream
over ledge, and can be compared
with the height and cubic gallons OF
the other waterfalls. The huge stone
bridge is nature mimicking art. And
there is no structure like 1t. 1t is
unique. 1t is fifty feet higher than
Niagara.
This granite bridge was needed at
that point. 1t connects the sides of q
wide canyon, and supplies passage for
the stage in its regular trips along the
chief thoroughfare of that fertile and
famous region. So neatly does this
rock. link bind the edges of the chasm
that the coach on the turnpike has
carried hundreds of strangers across
the gorge without one of them discov-
ering that they had passed, on a track
Limited in width, over path two
hundred feet in the air. -.
The length of the bridge is. ninety
feet, and it spans, in elliptic curve, like
x,,s~o ~ tho 1uU wild
rocky, broken glen. From the deep
dell beneath the bridge seems q bow,
dizzy, airy, and light, cutting a cres-
cent on the blue sky. .....,.
When Professor Rogers was making
geological survey OF the State, ne
halted q few hours near Natural
Bridge. Two of his party, venture
some young mel, took q seat on the
edge of the arch, with their feet
swinging over the chasm. In the
meantime, a tin peddler had stopped
his one-horse wagon, filled with his
wares, in the open space beyond the
bridge to rest and feed. Without un-
hitching, he gave his horse some grain
and left him quietly eating. A gust OF
wind tapped the curtains of the We
hickle, tumbled some Of the vessels
about. The horse started. The uten-
sils increased their clatter and the
animals speed. He first took circuit
in the uninclosed field where be had
been standing. The din of colliding
pots and pans grew louder. The faster
he ran the more direful the kettles ana
cups ratified. The horrible tinnabula-
lation soon got him up to his best
gait. Frantic with fear, he rushed
for the bridge, kicking and plunging at
every step.
The narrow track across it passed
within foot of the young men. who
still sat upon the brink of the preci-
pice. They saw the whole dsnger. II
they sprang to their feet they would
be crushed by the horses or by 1.-THE
wheels, perhaps knocked over the side
Of the bridge to perish on the rocks
beneath. If they remained seated,
the touch of hub or tire would tilt
them down the cliff. They resolved
to remain seated. 1t was but mo-
ment of time, but an age of agony.
They leaned from the road over the
vacant space. The wheels barely
missed them, the mud from the rim
soiled their coats. Just then wagon
came over the bridge meeting the
horse. He attempted to turn around.
In the effort the vehicle upset. Hem
med in behind by the crushed van OF
tinker's goods, and in front by the ad-
vancing team (the load Of tinware in
ats fall adding to his fright, the be,
wildered and terrified animal leaped
from the bridge into the gorge below
two hundred feet.
Meanwhile the geologists had 'suf-
fered ten thousand deaths, expecting
every.moment to be pushed Oft by the
overturning wagon, or by a cofe.pot
striking them. on their heads. or q big
basin butting them on the back.
They now crawled over the heap OF
damaged ware, gained their feet and
fed
The astonished peddler was soon on
the ground. He saw his wrecked for
tune. He descended to the stream be-
low. He stood for moment over the
shapeIess mass of flesh and bones
He stopped and picked up bright OBJ
ject-perhaps piece of mounting
Without word ne walked away.
That evening party of visitors re-
turned to the bridge in search OF a
diamond brooch, lost in the morning
near where the horse had afterward
fallen. They didn't find the Jewell
nor the peddler. -.
There are "applications" Of the
story against hazard to gain applause
for foolhardiness. There are blossoms"
concerning catastrophes from getting
"rattled. ."-Rev. John J. LafferLy, d.
Lit, in Epworth Herald.