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

anu WIN udIl SIduCe lO"ALU 'HS
white hair of the applicant, the speak
er swung his chair back to the desk
from which he had turned at the
man s entrance.
DO you know of any place where
l might find a job p the man asked,
hestatingly.
mo" curtly; "Our company con-
trolls about everything on both banks
of the river. Still, there are a few
cheap concerns on the other side where
you might find temporary joo.
What's your line ?"
"Nothin, only to do odd jobs, sir.
I've been on the sea most o my life,
an never learned any trade except
sailorin'. But I'm handy"
$50 they all say. Well, you can
try over there, though, frankly, do
not think you stand much chance.
No." gravely, "there don't seem
much chance anywhere. l was on
the other side before l came here, an
they said was too old. Everything
seems to hinge on one company, an
they want only young men an boys
| tried to tell EN- I'm not quite so
old as my ha}r shows for, an that l
was ready to put myself up against
as hard work as the strongest man
they hired did; but no, 'twan' no
use, they didn't want me. I've been
off the sea sixty days, now, an amt
fouhd chance yet. I'd like to stay
on shore the balance o my life, though"
little wistfully, ION account o my
granddaughter. There amt only she
an me. But it don seem as if can.
l guess I'll have to 60 back to the
water"
81 guess you will, abstractedly.
"That seems your line"
The old man left the Office and
walked alowly down to the long
bridge that spanned the river. He
had come across on the train, after
stopping day on the other side, for
his ticket had read to this point, and
he had saved the bridge coupon.
Now he would have to walk back
over the bridge and on to his seaport
home, twenty miles across the coun-
try to the coast. He had taken only
money enough to pay for the ticket,
leaving the rest of their small hoard
with hi, granddaughter, for he had
confidently expected to find a job in
one of these busy towns and be able
to send for her to join him. There
was nothing left but to go back and
remain With her few days, and then
seek q berth on some vessel.
But as he approached the center Of
the bridge he suddenly paused.
There was bar across and turn
gate, and he understood what that
meant. Before he could pass he
would have to pay toll, and he did
not have cent. Beyond the gate
and leaning against it was a boy OF
| seventeen or eighteen, with his eyes
fixed eagerly on gesticulatlng crowd
in an open field on the opposite shore.
Evidently ball game was in prog
ress there, and the youthful bridge
tender was very much excited over it,
for ften his hands rose into the air,
and sometimes his hat, and once his
voice echoed an enthusiastic cheer
which came across the water.
The old man hesitated, and then
went to one of the bridge benches,
very close to the gate. He had a
right to come THE far, and he would
stay until night. Perhaps the bridge
would not have tender then, and he
could pass; fit did, he would try to
slip by. He had never tried to evade
any obligation before, but he must
cross the bridge and reach home as
soon as possible.
Meanwhile the bridge tender was
becoming more and more excited, and
several times he started forward, as
though half inclined to forsake his
post. Suddenly he noticed the old
man sitting at the gate.
Hello" he called, eagerly, going
to stay here long2"
"Why, yes, quite while, I think. "
"Then you look out for my place a
few minutes. I'll be awfully obliged ;
and without waiting for consent or
comment, the boy sped away toward
the farther shore and the yelling crowd.
"Waitl Hold on a minutel" called
the old man after him; but the boy
did not hear. His head was down,
with his arms pressed closely to his