MY WIFE COULD NOT WAIT FOR ME.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 419, 19 October 1889, Page 6

MY WIFE COULD NOT WAIT FOR ME.

At Tokio (says the • Shen Pao ') is a bridge as broad as-the Maloo and twice as Jong as bhe White Bridge (Norrh Szechuen Road). The people crowd over ib like ants in an ant-run ; there is a continual vg, et-vient which reminds one of a weaver's 'shuttle. Horse-carriages pass in the middle, and afc separate sides pass foot. passengers and jinrickshas. This fine bridge bears the extraordinary name of Adzuma-Bashi, • My Wife's Bridge,' and the following touching account is given of its origin : — A brave general bade .farewell to his dearly-loved wife in Yedo and went at the head of an army to quell a rebellion. With one roll of the drum the rebel banditti were scattered and fled ; but when the General was preparing to lead back his victorious army, the hour of triumph was embittered by the arrival of a messenger irom Yedo announcing the grievous illness of his wife and urging him to hasten back ere it should be too late. He hurried homewards by foiced marches, but on the last day he found his impetuous course barred by a bridgeless river, and when, after long and anxious waiting, he managed to find a boat to cross in, he was met by messengers bearing the sad tidings that his dearly-loved wife had just died, before he could arrive to press her hand for the last time, and say adieu. •My wife could not wait for me,' was all that the stoical warrior would trust himself to fay, as he stood there as if frozen by the shock. His Sovereign touched by compassion for the blow that had fallen upon him while away fighting for his country, ordered a bridge to be built at the spot, and named it Adzuma-Bashi. Now the people tell the traveller with pride that the cost of building the bridge was 24 dollars ; for the Government paid the large sums employed in it? construction in paper money, made and stamped for (hat special purpose, and the cost of the production of this Government paper money was exactly 24 dollars.