The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-15
TIN, THE T0LlrKEEPER.
Logend OF Early Days on tho
Conat Of Mainc,
The Tate rhat Overlook an As.rtcieus Old
seoandtci An OH wemau's Cnrec ana
~ strange Fnlnilnaent- How
the Bridge iccame Pres.


ITS strange Fulnilnaent..Ii
the BRIDGE uceame PRES.
II son have ever. efuised among the
pcrple King reaches and inlets that en-
tauglc The coast 81 Maine, perhaps you
have seen Tins Bridge" "A queer de-
J formed little fabric of hlocladed lors
spanning IN arm ~ the sea- locally
known az Clam river Worn andweal-
encd Ms tho service ~ three genera.
! tions 81 travellers, il trcmblcs under
tho passing ~ heavy team, OH IN i,s
days Of usefulness were nearly over:
and tic draw, when u opens, to,tcra
on is infirm and deeaying pier like a,i
old man with failing limba,
Within d hedge ~ uniSempt fish
wcirs and frinEed with growth IL
seraRgy spruces,ehera lies the sleepy
island town of IloekanloclS. cut from
the main by. this neandcriug arm ~
the sea, and united To H. BY Tins
bridge Opposite Is IlrowsIe. an an
eient and iishy hamlet In whose streets
the grass grows now, but tho acene %
stirring business IN the days when
Phippa. the Knight 81 the Spanish
Doubloons, was building hlssshins and
lifting out his brave expeditions
/ To these shores about throe-qnarters
i of a contnry mgr, when the fishermen
/ and farmers ~ the two old towns were
in the hcydnv Of their prosperity. came
d settler named Tim Stubba Where
he came from nobody knowA His he
/ ginning, like his end, il Involved Iii
1 IL n
lished fact that he built the bridge, the
4 wiseaeres Of tho day shading their
heads id his venture and vnwing that
he never would ret Ills money hack,
| but it did come baclt, swelling 10 q
stream Of silver and copper coin that
nrade Tim Sthbbs tho richest man la
IIockamock
When he opened tho bridge there was
great rejoicing Ia tito two towna II
was such wonderful accommodation
to travellers that they willingly paid
the tolls. Some Of the fishermen and
coasting shippers grumhled at having
TO luir up and hang Oft for Tim 10 open
| his draw. but they soon became aceusl
| toned 10 1t and blow their horns and
conch-shells cheerily, always giving the
| alarm Just before they rounded tile
sharp bend made by the rcacl, little
below the bridge, AZ for the steam,
boats that now pass and repass every
| day, they Ind not vexed these waters
when our story begins.
But, unlneltily for tho tollmnn and nll
| who went through his bridge or over II,
Tins nature was us dwarfcd and ugly
rs IT'S frame, and he fed II on nothing
but histolls, lie lived IN little house
at the lIpclsaniorlt end ~ the bridge.
together with his boards and dingy yell
low dog When he stretched ont his
palm for his toll. he had never word
Of greeting for the passcr-by, andif one
ventnrcd good morning., Tim
silently hurried away his money as
though d civil word might break the
spell that protected IL
Old Squire Dummer, Of HoclSamock,
camc tearing Down the road to the
bridge ono dark night, his horse In
gallop
Open the gate, Tim, open the gateI
It's matter Of life and deathi' he
bawled.
There Tim stood as nnrcsponsivc as
death itself, his dog by his side. the
gate shut and barred.
'Quiclsl' roarcd the squire. I'm
after the doctor for my wife she's like
to die"
Tins only answer was TO hold out
THAT hairy hand Of his. while the dog
gave a low growl
What do you mean, you knave2n
Squire Dummer cried, swelling with
anger. Would you risk my wife's life
for tuppencc2"
Excited and fnming he searched his
pockets for coin while his horse paved
and reared.
iii, therei whoa, boyl Confound you
| haven't q penny in my brecchest
Whoa, boy, steady I'lipay you to-mor-
row, man. Open the gate, In heavens
namei
hut the grim statne did not move 80
much as finger till the squire, fairly
afire with Indignation. threw down his
watch and fob for toll
When, next day, ne told the villagers
OF the affair, the warmest indignation
was kindied on both sides Of the river,
though perhaps it never would have
UuTneu ain carr but ZOE aunt nan
nah Kicks.
THE scnrvy yillainI she muttcrcd,
her gray eyes flashing, 'tI'il give him
piece Of my mind, II no one else dares.
to say a wordl' And away she hob
bled on her crutch down TO the bridge
"a poor, bent and shriveled old wom-
an, with a face unpleasantly sharp and
q tongue that was sharper still
'.Ah, Tim, !" said she, shaking her
long, bony finger In his face, we won't
be at your tricks much longeri" q
what do you mean?r growled Tim.
Il mean robbing and abusing folks
and taking their watches and fobs
when you've no right to them that's
what mean"
! -:'Get along. you old hagl won't
stand such talkl' said Tim, with
threatening glare
Hear me out, miserable manf' Aunt
Hannah went on. ssLet me tell you
that it's for the Evil One you're doing
all thisi It's for the Evil One you're
plundering your ncighbors and cheat
ing your own body and souli"
"You witchl" Tom screamed. almost
beside himself with anger. BE on or
I'll have yon hungl''
"Bahr' retorted the beldame, with .
contemptuous snap of her fingers.
"We'll have free bridge firstI''
Doubling his fist. Tim started toward
her, while the dog crouched for .