Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1906-06-23
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::TPe Bddge-Te der's s.:
:: Daughter, :.
= BY RALPH D. PAINE. =.


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VIZ HEN Stella crossed the Ions
NM bridge IN her way home
fr,m school, she always
stopped to make sure thai
her fathers dinner was all that such
a wonderful man deserved. As
soon as the noon whistles blew, the
bridge tender, in his little house
perched high above the middle span,
would begin to look eagerly across the
causewNy for the flutter of Stella's
blue skirt and the CLEAN of the red
ribbon on her hat.
She enved her small brother the hon
or Of bringing the dinrer pail from
home. But it was treat OF which she
never tired TO climb to the airy engine
house, kiss the big man in overalls,
and futter round him while lie ate and
chatted and pretended to drive her out
with fiourishes of mighty fist.
After school, in pleasant weather,
and when her home duties were not
pressing, Stella would hurry across
the breeze swept causeway to perch In
the window Of the engine house and
look down the open harbor toward
the sparkling stretches OF Long Island
Sound. There was always much to
see, especially in the late afternoon,
when the oyster sharpiCs were sailing
home from the days work. At first
glimpse their sails were tiny specks
aOaiF,st 49, H,,s.sS.. ,YIIJt
was fresh and fair, they grew as IL
by magic, and in half an hour or so
the laden sharpies came sweeping tow
ard the bridge like great white birds
eager for home.
Then her father pulled at shining
lever, the engine painted and groaned
and the great bridge opened its huge
arms to welcome the hurrying feet.
And the oystermen, skimming through
the draw, would LOO; up from under
their battered southwesters, and wave
their hands at O'Connell, the bridge
tender, with such hearty greetings as
these:
Hello, Bill Here's two dozen fat
ones on the half shell If you'll send
that bright eyed kid of yours round for
'em after supper"
"a little breezy up there, Stella?
Well, you ought to have down off
Black Point to-day. 1t turned the oys-
tiers plumb inside out"
One afternoon late in the autumn
her mother looked up from her knit
ting, and said to Stella with a worried
air:
"Deary, don't feel quite right about
your father. 1t threatens to be the
worst gale we've had in years. And
he had one of his dizzy spells this
and 1 made him promise to
get young Jackson to tend the draw
his afternoon, while he went for some
Medicine and came home to lie down
or a spell. It's nearly four o'clock,
nd he's not here yet"
Mrs. O'Connell was almost shouting,
or the wind was crying wildly over
he roof, and the cottage trembled
With its fury. Stella stocked her moth.
RS hair with soothing gesture, and
ried to reassure her.
ITS a big blow, mother, when we
eel it here under the lee of the hill,
lmoSt mile from the bridge. But
addy's found it too wet to go out, and
els waiting on the bridge, snug and {
yarm, till six o'clock. phen hO'n
oming running like big bear"
The mother shook her head, and
rent to the window with quick and
neasy step. She tried to pick up her
,ork, but her mind was elsewhere.
he turned to Stella again:
mo, 1 don't like to seem overanx-
Jus, but Pm not satisfied. 1 wish {
tub here was bigger. I'd send him
own to the bridge right away. don't
ften worry, but your fathers over
ue. The storm didn't break till an
our ago. He had plenty of time to
ct young Jackson and be here long
60. And Jackaon's home and idle, for {
saw him this morning"
Stella listened to the war chant of
ne northeaster, and hesitated. Then
err young mouth tightened in a firm
ne of decision as she said
Pm going to put on my long boots
nd REFER and go down there. The '
ret won't hurt he. can't bear to
ee you fretting, mother. 1t isn't dark I
ct
Her mother protested, but Stella
arted into the hall, and presently re-
ppeared, bundled up like young mid
hipman OH a winters night. She {
Used her mother and was off before
lore objection could be raised.
The girl did not Know the might of
he sudden storm until che staggered
pom the open causeway across the
marsh. Here the wind had swept up
he unusually high tide, and was fling,
ng it across the harbor wall in shat
cred pillows. The biting air was full
( flying scud, which filled her eyes
o that she halted, afraid that a wave
lie could not see would dash her
lean over the barrier.
Then she crept over to the lee Of
he seward wall, and fell there, pray
ng that strength might come back to
Ter. Presently she pulled herself
long, inch by inch, escaJ ing the heav-
est fury of the waves by crouching
lose against the wall.
Once on the long slope leading up 10
he drawbriuge, the struggle was less
and Stella was able to rub
he salt spume from her eyes and look
Up at the little house perched among
he trusses Of the middle span.
She hoped TO see aEligh. through the
stormy twilight or a face at the viii
low. But her stout heart sunk with
'ague orebodings when there wGs no
greeting sign from the engine house.
Then she had to fight for very life as
he gained the end of the bridge whose
ron railing gave no shelter.
The northeastern drove with a clean
weep across the roadway. 1t picked
Ter up and threw her against the rail,
Ind left her doubled up, grooming with
1ain and fright Clin0inp slinnin0 |