"When the bridge was ready, the lad was to stand down at its end and take toll of those who wanted to cross, and his mother bade him be sure not to let any one over unless they paid the toll. It was all the same, she said, if it were not always in money. Goods and wares were just as good pay.
"So the first day came three chaps with each his load of hay, and wanted to cross the bridge.
"'No! no!' said the lad; 'you can't go over till I've taken the toll.'
"'We've nothing to pay it with,' they said.
"'Well, then! you can't cross; but it's all the same, if it isn't money. Goods will do just as well.'
"So they gave him each a wisp of hay, and he had as much as would go on a little hand-sledge, and then they had leave to pass over the bridge.
"Next came a pedlar with his pack, who sold needles and thread, and such like small wares, and he wanted to cross.
"'You can't cross, till you have paid the toll,' said the lad.
"'I've nothing to pay it with,' said the pedlar.
"So the pedlar took out two needles and gave them him, and then he had leave to cross the bridge. As for the needles, the lad stuck them into the hay, and soon set off home.
"So when he got home, he said, 'Now, I have taken the toll, and got something to live on.'
"'Oh!' said he, 'there came three chaps, each with his load of hay. They each gave me a wisp of hay, so that I got a little sledge-load; and next, I got two needles from a pedlar.'
"'What did you do with the hay?' asked the goody.
"'I tried it between my teeth; but it tasted only of grass, so I threw into the river.'
"'You ought to have spread it out on the byre-floor,' said the goody.
"'Well! I'll do that next time, mother,' he said.
"'And what then did you do with the needles?' said the goody.
"'Ah!' said his mother. 'You _are_ a born fool. You should have stuck them in and out of your cap.'
"'Well! don't say another word, mother, and I'll be sure to do so next time.'
"Next day, when the lad stood down at the foot of the bridge again, there came a man from the mill with a sack of meal, and wanted to cross.
"'You can't cross till you pay the toll,' said the lad.
"'I've no pence to pay it with,' said the man.
"'Well! You can't cross,' said the lad; 'but goods are good pay.' So he got a pound of meal, and the man had leave to cross.