The Young Bridge-Tender; or, Ralph Nelson's Upward Struggle

It's a shame, mother! The property belonged to father and the village has no right to its use without paying for it.
I agree with you, Ralph, replied Mrs. Nelson. But what are we to do in the matter?
Why don't you speak to Squire Paget? He is the president of the village board.
I have spoken to him, but he will give me no satisfaction. He claims that the village has the right to nearly all the water front within its limits, replied Mrs. Nelson, with a sigh.
It hasn't a right to the land father bought and paid for.
That is what I said.
And what did he answer to that? questioned Ralph Nelson, with increasing interest.
He said he doubted if your father had really bought the land. He asked me to show him the papers in the case.
And those you haven't got.
No, I cannot find them. Your father placed them away, and when he died so suddenly, he said nothing about where they had been placed. I have an idea he gave them to somebody for safe keeping.
It's a pity we haven't the papers, mother. The property on which this end of the swinging bridge rests, and the land right around it, is going to be very valuable some day; I heard Mr. Hooker say so at the post office only yesterday.