The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-22
TIL, TIE TOLL-KEEPER.
Legend Of Early Days on the
Coast Of Kainc.
The Fate That Overlook an Avartctoua Ofd
seonadrei An old wcmaA's Carse and
It's strange FuinIiment-tIa
the bridge became Free.

Its strange Futntinaent-
she bridge necane Free.
II ron have ever cruiscd among the
perplexing reaches and inlcts that en-
tanglc the coast OF Maine, perhaps you
have seen Tins bridge, a queer de-
formed little fabric OF blocladcd logs
spanning an arm o. the sea. locally
known as Clam river Worn aud weak
cned by the service Of three genera
tions Of travellers. II trcmbles under
the passing Of q heavy team, as II It's
days of usefulness were nearly over;
and the draw. when II opens, totters
on its inflrm and dccaying pier like an
old man with failing limbs
Within hedge Of unlscmpt fish
wcirs and fringed with growth Of
scraggy spruccs, here lies the sleepy
island town Of Iloclxamock, cut from
the main by this meanderinR arm Of
the sea, and united to It by Tins
bridge. Opposite Is Browsie. an an
cient and fishy hamlet IN whose streets
the grnss grows now. but the scene of
stirring business in the days when
Phipps, the knight Of the Spanish
Doubloons. was building his ships and
fitting out his brave expeditions
To these shores about threc-quarters
Of q century ago. when the fishermen
and farmers Of the two old towns were
in the heyday Of their prosperity. came
q settler named Tim Stubs. Where
he came from nobody knowa His he
ginning, like his end, Is involved In
mystery Its, however, a wcll-cstah-
lished fact that he built the bridge. the
wiseacrcs Of the day shaking their
heads ut his venture aud vowing that
he never would ret his money back,
but " did come back, swelling 10 a
stream Of silver and copper coin that
made Tim Stubs the richest man in
Hockamock
When he opened the bridge there was
great rejoicing In the two towns II
was such q wonderful accommodation
to travellers that they willingly paid
the tolls. Some Of the fishermen and
coasting shippers grnmbled at having
to luff up and hang of for Tim to open
his draw, but they soon became accus.
toned 10 II and blow their horns and
conch-shells chcerily, Away giving the
alarm just before they rounded the
sharp bend made by tho reacl, little
below tho bridge Az for the steam
boats that now pass and rcpass every
day, they had not vexed these waters
when our story begins,
But. unluciily Tor tho tollman and all
who went through his bridge Or over 1t,
Tins nature was as dwarfed and ugly
as its frame, and he fed II on nothing
but his tolls He lived In little honse
at the IIoclxnnocls end Of tho bridge,
together with his boards and dingy vel.
low dog. When he stretched ont his
palm for his toll. he had never word
Of greeting for tho pnsser-hy, md IL ono
ventured good morning., Tim
silently hurried away his money as
though civil word might break the
spell that protected II
Old Squire Dummer, OF Hockamock,
came tearing down the road to the
bridge one dark night. his horse in q
gallon
open the gate, Tim, open tho gatel
Its matter Of life and DEATH he
bawled
There Tim stood as unresponsivo as
death itself, his dog by his side, the
gate shut and barred.
'.Quicki'' roared the squire, "rm
after the doctor for my wife she's like
to die. =
Tins only answer was to hold opt
that hairy hand Of his, while the dog
gave q low growL
What do you mean, ron knave?'
Squire Dummer cried, swelling with
anger Would yon risk my wife's life
TOR tuppencc2n
Excited and tuning he searched his
pockets for coin while his horse paved
and reared
iii, therel whoa, boyl confound you.
I haven't q penny in my breechesi
Whoa, boy, steady I'll pay ron tosmpFs
row, man Open the gate In heavens
namer'
But the grim statue did not move 30
much as finger till the squire, fairly
afre with Indignation. threw down his
watch and fob for toll.
When, next day, he told the villagers
jpf the affair, the warmest Indignation
was kindicd on both sides Of the river.
though perhaps It never would have
burned Tins ears but for Aunt Han
nah Kicks.
THE scurvy villaini'' she muttered,
her gray eyes flashing, "i'll give him q
piece Of my mind. II no one else daFes
TO say a wordi'' And away she hob
bled on her crutch down to the bridge
q poor, bent and shriyeledl old wom-
an, with face nnpleasantly sharp and
o tongue that was sharper still
"Ah. Tim" said she, shaking her
long, bony finger In his face, I'VE won't
be at your tricks much longerl"
What do you mean2" growled Tim.
II mean robbing and abusing folks
and taking their watches and fobs
when you've no right to them that's
what mean"
''Get along, yon old hagi ! won't
stand such talkr' said Tim, with o
threateningglara.
Hear me out, miserable mani" Aunt
Hannah went on. "Let me tell you
that it's for the Evil One you're doing
all thisl IT'S for the Evil One you're
plundering your ncighbors and cheat
ing your own body and soull''
"You witchi" Tom screamed, almost
beside himself with anger BE of or
I'll have you hunglr
"Bahl'' rctorted the beldame. with 4
contemptuous snap Of her flngeFs.
We'll have free bridge Arstl'
Doubling his list Tim started toward