The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-09-11
TIN, THE ToLLrKEEPER.
Legend or Early Days on the
Coast Of Maine
rhe Fate That Overlook an Avaricions Old
scoundrel--An Old woman's Curse and
Its strange Fuiaiiment-1iow
lhc Brldge Became Free

GGOaAuffA-=lAn tlAU N0m4n1 NmruN anu
Its Strange Fuiiilment--1fow
abe bridge Became Free.
II you have ever cruised among tho
perple king reaches and inlets that ed
tangle the coast Of Maine, perhaps you
have seen Tins Bridge" queer de-
formed little fabric Of biockadcd logs
spanning an arm Of the sea, locally
known as Clam river Worn and weak
ened by the service Of three genera
tions Of travellers, il trembles under
the passing OF heavy team, as II its
days Of usefulness were nearly over;
and the draw, when II opens. totters
on its iRfirm and decaying pier like an
old man with failing limbs
Within = hedge Of unkempt fish
weirs and fringed with q growth Of
scraggy spruces, here lies the sleepy
island town Of Hockamock, cut from
thee main by this meandering arm Of
the sea, and united to 1t by Tins
bridge. Opposite Is Browsie. an an
Gent and fishy hamlet In whose streets
the grass 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 three quarters
Of century ago, when the fishermen
and farmers Of the two old towns were
in the heyday Of their prosperity, came
a settler named Tim Stubs, Where
he came from nobody knows His be-
ginning, like his end, is involved In
mystery. II is, however, well-estab-
lished fact that he built the bridge, the
wiseacrcs Of the day shaking their
heads at his venture and vowing that
he never would get his money back,
but 1t did come back, swelling to a
stream OF silver and copper coin that
made Tim Stubs the richest man in
Hockamock.
When he opened the bridge there was
was such wonderful accommodation
to travellers that they willingly paid
the tolls. Some Of the fishermen and
coasting shippers grumbled at having
to luff up and hang off for Tim TO open
his draw, but they soon became accus.
toned to 1t and blew their horns and
conch-shells cheerily, always giving the
alarm just before they rounded the
sharp bend made by the reach a little
below the bridge. As for the steam
boats that now pass and repass every
day, they had not vexed these waters
when our story begins.
But, unluckily for the toilman and all
who went through his bridge or over 1t,
Tins nature was as dwarfed and ugly
as its frame, and he fed It on nothing
but his tolls. He lived In little house
at the Hockamock end OF the bridge,
together with his boards and dingy gel
low dog. When he stretched out his
palm for his toll, he had never a word
OF greeting for the passer-by, and II one
yentured q good morning." Tim
silently hurried away his money as
though civil word might break the
spell that protected 1t.
Old Squire hummer, Of Hockamock,
came tearing down the road to the
bridge one dark night, his horse In q
gallop.
open the gate, Tim, open tho gatel
It's matter Of life and deathf'' he
bawled
There Tim stood as unresponsive as
death itself, his dog by his side, the
gate shut and barred.
"Quickr' reared the squire. .Tm
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 low growL
What do You mean. yon knave2"
Squire Dummer cried. swelling with
anger. Would you risk my wife's life
for tuppence?"
Excited and Tuning no searched his
pockets for coin while his horse paved
and reared.
Hi, therel whoa, boyl Confound you.
| haven't penny in my breechesl
Whoa. boy, steady I'll pay you to-mor-
row, man. Open the gate in heavens
But the grim statue did not move so
much as finger till the squire, fairly
afire with indignation. threw down his
watch and fob for toll.
When, next day, he told the villagers
of the affair, the warmest indignation
was kindied 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
piece of my mind, II no one else dares
to say wordl' And away she hob
bled on her crutch down to the bridge
"a poor, bent and shriveled old wom-
an, with face unpleasantly sharp and
) tongue that was sharper still.
"Ah, Tim said she. shaking her
ong, bony finger in his face, we won't
be at your tricks much longerl'
What do you mean?' 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"
A"Get along, you old hagl ! won't
stand such talkr' said Tim. with q
threatening glare.
Hear me out, miserable manIn Aunt
Hannah went on. "Let me tell you
hat it's for the Evil One you're doing
III thisi It's for the Evil One you're
your neighbors and cheat
ng your own body and SOUL"
'tYou witchi. Tom screamed, almost
beside himself with, anger BE of or
III have You hungi''
"Bahl" retorted the beldame, with .
.ontemptuous snap Of her fingers.
Wen have free bridge fifstl''
Doubling his fist, Tim state toward
Ter, while The dog crouched for q