Scary Ghost Stories

New Bridge

I wanted to sharewith the group another story, this one a family story. It wasright after WWI, and my mother's family were living in ShenandoahValley, VA, right near the river. My mother's uncle Joe wasreturning from the service, and arrived by train late one night.He thought briefly about staying overnight in a hotel, but he wasanxious to get home, and figured that if he'd walked halfwayacross Europe, he could walk the few miles left to home. He setout along the road along the river. He had to cross the river toget home, and had two choices as to the bridge to take: One lowbut nice, wide, new bridge, and an older girder bridge. Hestarted for the nearest bridge, the new one, which was also theshorter route. But just as he got to the bridge, he was met byShep, the old family dog, who greeted him with great joy. Theyhad a good visit, then Uncle Joe set out onto the bridge again.At this point Shep stopped, and began barking. He even tuggedJoe's pants leg. It was apparent that Shep wanted him to take theother bridge. Since this was the longer route, Joe tried to callShep to come his way, but the dog only got more insistent.Finally, Joe decided, well, what the heck, let the dog have hisway, so he went along to the other bridge, with Shep pacing himall the way.

Eventually, Uncle Joe reached the home farm, and called out tothe family. Of course, everyone came running, and they had atearful reunion. Joe said, "I would have been here earlier,but Shep made me come the long way." Everybody got a funnylook on their face, and asked him what he meant, so he explainedthe whole story. After a long silence and many meaningfulglances, Joe's father said, "Joe, Shep died last winter."

Next morning, they learned that the river, which had been swollenby spring rains, had flooded the new bridge and taken out themiddle section. If Joe had walked it in the dark that night, hewould surely have been killed.

True story. At least, that's the way the family has told it, allthese years.