Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1905-04-20

VI CNCA Will AS "0AS 'NNs'
The old man went through the gate,
his face anxious and perturbed.
"Whatever's to be done, wonder?
he muttered aloud. 81 don't know
the toll, and-good landp' as he
noticed water through a narrow open
space in the bridge and extending en-
tirelv across from side to side; "if II
amt draw. How'd they open iii
hope no boat'll come till the boy
gets back. Hes crazy"
But he did not even think of de-
serting the post That would not
have been the mans nature Keenly
the eyes unlsr the shaggy brOws
swept about in search of the means OF
opening the draw in case of necessity
then bicycle came swiftly across the
bridge, and he turned to the gate.
Good morning; new man, l see,
exclaimed the bicyclIst as he passed
through, and the old man felt a
nickel slipped into his hand. That
settled one problem. The toll, than
was five cents. Then his gaze went
back in search of the key TO the bridge
opening.
But be was handy man, who
had lived on shipboard most of his
life, and was accustomed to windlasses
and screws and various means of shift
ing heavy weights. Soon the keen
eyes discovered what they were after
and none too soon, for almost at the
very moment came vigorous, Alloy
draw" from up the river. A schooner
was sweeping straight down on him, ,un,
der full head of canvas. But though
he had found the means, his hand:
lacked the de1terity Of experience
and they fumbled with hurried un'
familiarity until three came second
hail, this time sharp and impatient
Then the bridge swung open and the
boat shot through.
Thank you, keeper, " came a re-
lieved voice from below. 81 was
afraid you didn't see me, and | was
on the point of tacklng off to avoid
smashing things. But see yor
know your business.
The old mans face grew more tran
quill. There were no people in sigh
on the bridge now, and no boats very
near. He opened and shut the draw
several times, allowing it to swing
few yards either way, until he fel
that ne had it under control; then h'
went to the tiny building which wa
the bridge-tender's home and Office
and found a broom. With this ht
went vigorously to work clearing
away the litter that the boys neglec
had allowed to accumulate.
Two hours went by and in tha
time four boats had gone through anc
perhaps fifty people passed over th'
bridge; and at the end of that time
the draw and gate and benches were
as clean and neat as broom and brush
could make them.
There was no signs of the boy, bu
the old man had scarcely given him
thought. he was at work now, anC
at Just such work as was peculiarly
congenial. The anxiety for the tln'
being WAS gone from his eyes, and h'
went about the self-sought duties witt
CHEEKY little snstches of sea song
breaking occasionally from his lips
Only once did he pause suddenly, il
the midst of breezy refrain, anC
that was when he glanced into tn,
tiny house and realized what a coy
home it would make for himself anC
his granddaughter.
The breeze was now ireshening, anC
there were several boats coming dowr
the river together and under full sail
He was in the very act of turning tn,
draw when a carriage dashed upor
the bridge, with another scarcely
twenty yards behind, and both evi
IDENTIFY in a great hurry. The frs
would reach him considerably in ad
vance of the fret boat, with smpl
time to open the draw, 80 he waited
though he could hear the sharl
Alloys !" of the boatmen.
1t was now that his experience o
winds and tides stood him in gOOc
stead. a swift glance, and he cOulc
have told to almost a second wher
the boats would reach the draw. H
waited until the first carriage hsC
swept across, and then, with warn
ing call TO the other coachman, swunl
the draw open to the leading boat
which was less than twenty yard
away. After they had passed througl
he shut the draw for the second car
rage.