The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-30
A Legend OF Natural Bridge.

There is a legend which says that at
one time there was "a vast chasm which
no one could cross-where our wonderful
Natural Bridge now stands. The legend
gives the following account of how the
bridge was formed:
Centuries ago Q man, who longed for
great riches, gave his soul 10 the devil
In exchange for vast possessions He
also promised to win all the souls he
could for satan, and for each soul he cap
tured a year was added to his life; but
the first time soul escaped his snares
he must die. and the evil one receive
him into torment.
The man built hut on the brink Of a
wide chasm, near which a deep. dark
river flowed; and as there was no way
TO cross the chasm he said to himself
that the souls passing by could not escape
him.
Now. on the other side OF this gorge
was cave where a good hermit lived
who had no worldly possessions; but he
loved God and tried to save souls for
Him. The people who came along. how
ever, seemed always on The other SIDE
and were afraid to try TO jump across
that yawning gap. so they stayed with
the evil man, and rejoiced until their
death Then their souls were taken in a
boat on the dark river and floated down
il TO the gates of hell where the evil
one was waiting TO receive them.
Thus years had passed, and the hermit
had grown weary and sad with waiting
so long and never gaining single soui
for his Master. The evil man rejoiced.
for he thought he would surely live for
ever. He was already much older than
ordinary men ever live to he. and his
hair was not even gray, his step was firm
and light, and his carriage good. But all
this was soon to be changed.
4 fair young girl came tripping down
the pathway, hummng a gay little tune.
She dropped a courtesy 10 the man, and
would have passed by. but no one could
do that until they had decided which
pathway they would take.
The man showed her the sunny path
of wealth and worldly honor; how it ran
on and on through beautiful meadows
and by silvery streams, until it vanished
In the mazes Of a thick beautiful forest.
Then he showed her the path Of truth.
which stopped short az the edge Of the
chasm, and commenced again on the
other side. but there was no bridge
across IT, The first path was beautiful:
the other barren. and her life must be
passed among the flowers or the stones.
For the worldly way she had only to
sell her soul to the evil one, who was
10 ldNt II tlAtA Hfi NftiHs 4 nt A'il0lOi
was a hard one to arrive at. and she
cried aloud: "Oh. for some one to guido
my choice"
Just then. the hermit came from the
cave. "My child" ne called across TO
her. Choose the path of truth: never
fear" But. Father" cried the girl.
"there is no bridge; cannot cross the
chasm." "Have faith" answered he.
trust in God and spring across; some
means Will be provided for your safety"
She hesitated few moments. then said
Father. l have decided. give me your
blessing" The evil man caught her arm
Girl" he cried. would you throw away
your lovely walk for that barren foot
path? Before you yawns a gap of I'M
known depth; by your side lie fertile
fields and cool woods. Consider Well" She
hesitated. courage" cried the hermit.
II have decided" she said. 4 pause. and
then she sprang into the air. and 10.
from the earth rose a mighty bridge,
which spanned the chasm from side to
side
As her foot touched the earth there
was a loud clap OF thunder. She turned
and where she had stood was a great
gorge. The man and the river had both
and while she looked the earth
closed again. and only a small opening
remained to show where the lost river
had flowed.
The maiden then crossed TO the hermit.
and together they went along the path
OF truth, which bossomed with flowers
as they walked and the bridge she had
crossed remain forever 10 let those who
wished 20 cross over. And this is the
story Of how the Natural Bridge was
formed. ETHEL +. SMITH,
Lynchburg. Va.