The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1900-03-17
SANS EXAMPLE.

i MS AFTERNOON asked the DOy.
eyes, it, mild. fit should freeze
up tonight, as looks likely, it would
not be good weather to ship potatoes. "
Sam frowned impatiently.
''I want to go with the boys for
good skate. The pond isn't broke up
yet, but it may any day. Perhaps
this will be the last skating of the
season."
"You can easily be back in time
for that, and not drive the horses too
fast, either. Now, then, for quick
start"
Sam helped his best at getting up
the load, inwardly resolving that he
would return in time for his evenings {
frolic, even though it might be a little
at the expense of the horses.
The roads, however, were heavier
than he expected to find them. Some
recent rains and mild days had brought
suspicion of spring in most respects
most delightful. But the steady jog
ging horses seemed to have their own
opinion of just how much ground
they ought reasonably to be expected
to cover, and all Sans urging be-
yond that was of no avail. Making
at length turn toward stream he
was to cross, his attention was at once
drawn to the ice floating upon it.
81 didn't know the ice was broken
up. Ny there's lots of it, and, oh,
my skating is knocked in the head. !"
The grinding and crushing of the
huge cakes became louder and louder
as he drew near. The swift current
bore them rapidly down and hurled
them against the piers of the bridge
he was to cross.
Coming near the bridge he saw a
placard nailed to one side. 1t read
"No crossing here. Brigde un-
safe"
"Well-I like that |" said Sam.
"No crossing It's three miles down
to the other bridge. If I drive down
there, I shan't get home before bed
time" With a face of disgust he
critically scanned the bridge. II
don't believe there's and danger. 1
believe I could cross. Somebody's
crossed, by the looks, since they put
up that notice. Six miles round I
do believe I'll try it."
Urging his horses to the bridge, he
stopped and took a closer survey of
the situation. With every assault of
the ice cakes the structure quivered
as if in pain and fear. The grinding
and groaning filled his ears. He did
not at all like the looks of things.
"You know I always depend on
you to use wise judgment in matters
which I cannot foresee, /" his father
his taking any such risk. And yet
that six miles round and his evening S
amusement.
"I'1l cross over" he said to him
self.
Amid the roar and the grind he
heard voice shouting: Stop
don't drive over that bridget"
A man who lived near was calling
to him, making energetic gesticula-
tions.
81 guess Til try it," Sam called
back to him. In spite of the increas-
ing violent remonstrance, he drove on.
His heart almost stood still as he
advanced. The bridge creaked and
swayed under the additional strain of
the load, and the ice rose as if to
crowd him into the water which boil
ed and swirled below. Before taking
two wagon lengths he had repented
his daring. But once on, there was
no turning back. The horses became
frightened and little restless, but he
must urge them on. The bridge took
only about two minutes to cross, but
to Sam it seemed hours, as with set
lips and reins tightly held, he gazed
at the shaking planks beneath him.
With final cut at his horses, he
hurried them over the last few feet
and on blessed firm ground. For a
moment he felt half sick at the
thought Of the peril through which he
had passed, then glanced back at the
giver of the friendly warning, who
had followed him to the edge of the
bridge in dismay at his daring.
"Hello! I'm over all right, you
see !" he cried, waving his hand. II
am no coward" he added to himself.
"What a simpleton 1 should have
been if I'd gone clear round" He
drove on, rejoicing in the foolhardi-
ness which he misnamed courage.
"And I'll try it again." he declar-
ed to himself. eff I've done it once
with load and no harm came, sure
ly can do it with an empty wagon.
Two hours later he again drew near
the bridge. But this time the coun-
try road was not quiet and solitary ex-
cept for the one warning neighbor.
Teams were drawn up near the creek,
and men were lingering about with
faces of grave concern.
Coming nearer, Sam perceived that
the poor old bridge had at last Sue
cumbed to the attacks upon it. One
pier had been carried away, leaving a
great gap fringed by splintered tim
bers and planking.
"Ah it's gone at last, has it? ?"
said Sam.
eyes, and that isn't the worst of
it. A boy and his team went down
with it..
"What r' exclaimed Sam. The
man pointed his way down the
stream, at one side of which Sam saw
a small crowd of men.
They're trying to get that horse
OUT" said his informant. "The
other got swept down stream, poor
beast, but this one happened to make
toward shore-or perhaps the ice hap
pened to push him that way"
'And where is the boy? ?" Sam ask
ed breathlessly.
They've carried him into the
house. He made brave fight for it,
| jumping from one cake of ice to the