You're traveling in the 1880s with a wagon full of goods. The river is swollen from last night’s rain, and your only option is the newly built covered bridge in Euharlee.
You choose caution and decide to take a closer look at the structure before risking your wagon and team. Leaving your wagon behind for a moment, you walk slowly toward the covered bridge.
The bridge is high above the rushing creek, held together by a series of interlocking wooden beams and wooden pegs known as trunnels. Everything looks sound, though the water is high. A few boards creak under your feet but nothing feels unstable.
You approach the bridge but are stopped by two stern-faced women in bonnets and long skirts. The Lowry Sisters eye you carefully. "This bridge don’t belong to you," one says sharply. "And we’ll be the judge of who crosses it."
Despite their confident claim, you know the bridge was commissioned by the county. Still, challenging them directly might not end well. The sisters don’t trust strangers and seem to think they’re the true gatekeepers of Euharlee.
You decide to ignore the Lowry Sisters and start toward the bridge. Big mistake. One of them grabs a shotgun and the other lets out a shrill holler that echoes off the hills.
You wheel your wagon around in a panic as they chase you halfway down the road, yelling, "Don’t come back ‘til you learn some manners!" It’s safe to say you won’t be showing your face around this bridge for a long while.
After examining your wagon axle, Mr. Lowry shakes his head. “I can tighten it up, but truth be told, you’d be better off replacing it. Crossing with that damage is asking for trouble.”
If you choose to replace it, he says, “That’ll be $3.” You dig through your pockets and come up short. Mr. Lowry nods knowingly. “Well, you might check down at the mill. They could use help unloading wagons.”
The shopkeeper, Tom Taylor, is sweeping the porch when you arrive. “That bridge is well built,” he says, “but she ain’t invincible. If the water’s kissing the bottom boards, you’d best wait.”
You build a small fire, enjoy some beans and cornbread, and listen to the water flow under the bridge. In the morning, the creek seems lower—but you wake up with a chill and sore throat from the damp air.
You decide this place feels like home. The fertile land, steady water, and peaceful surroundings win you over. You set your sights on building a cabin and starting fresh right here in Euharlee.
Dr. McGowan is beloved in town. Dr. Lowry, still sore from a fight with his brother, grumbles about relocating. From the next room, you hear, "That tonic of yours smells like boot polish!" followed by a crash. Both doctors reappear, pretending nothing happened.
You decide to save a little money and go with a quick repair. It seems fine—until halfway across the bridge, the axle groans and gives way again with a dramatic crack. You're stuck, frustrated, and a bit embarrassed.
Luckily, a couple of townsfolk help you push the wagon back to Mr. Lowry’s. He gives you a look that says "told you so" but gets to work replacing the axle properly this time.
You didn’t get much sleep and skipped the doctor’s visit. Every bump and jolt is worse. You didn't see the missing plank in the bridge but you felt it when your axel broke.
Congratulations! You’ve crossed the historic Euharlee Covered Bridge. Whether you visited the Lowry Sisters, got help from Mr. Lowry, or were treated by a doctor—you’ve completed a journey through time and community.
You walk to the mill and the foreman offers you a job unloading wagons for 3 days to earn the $3. It’s hard work, but honest.
As you consider the offer, your eye catches a few fat chickens pecking near the loading dock. A mischievous idea creeps into your mind—sell or trade the chickens instead?
You unload heavy bags of grain and supplies for three days. The work is exhausting, but at the end of it, you have your $3 and return to Mr. Lowry to buy the axle.
You try to snatch a couple of chickens but you’re quickly caught. The townsfolk haul you before Justice of the Peace Absolam Stephens at the Militia Courthouse.
He eyes you sternly. “You can tell me the truth now, or lie and take your chances.”
JP Stephens strokes his beard and sighs. “It’s clear you’re in a tight spot. Return the chickens and I won’t send you to jail. But you’ll still need to work off your debt at the mill.”
You spin a tale, but the JP doesn’t buy it. “Lying only makes it worse,” he says. “A week in the calaboose and a $3 fine.” After your sentence, you’re sent to work at the mill anyway to earn the axle money.
After a scenic ride past the Milam Farm, you make it safely to Stilesboro. Your next task? Enroll the kids at the Stilesboro Academy and find work—perhaps at the local cotton gin. A new chapter begins.
Your wagon wheels roll past the Auchmuty Farm, where you spend a short while visiting with kind folks. Then it’s on to Taylorsville, where the Taylor family welcomes you warmly and offers work loading and unloading freight at the rail station.
You choose the kind and experienced Dr. McGowan. After a bit of rest and one of his gentle tonics, you feel much better by morning.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lowry watches from the doorway, fuming. "That’s the last straw," he mutters. "I’m packing up and heading to Cartersville. Euharlee never did appreciate genius." You hear cabinets slamming in the next room as he begins loading his bags.
Dr. Lowry eyes you sternly. "That’ll be $1," he says, handing you a dark brown bottle. You uncork it—phew! It smells like something between varnish and creek water. But you drink it anyway...
The next thing you know, you're waking up in the town calaboose with a pounding headache. Apparently, whatever was in that tonic didn't agree with your constitution.
Old Tom Taylor strolls by and shakes his head. “You coulda had the same drink at my bar for half the price,” he chuckles. “And at least mine don’t knock you out cold.”
