I have a question regarding grammar.  When does a compound predicate allow a
comma?

Last night we walked, and talked for hours.
Last night we walked across the Seine bridge, and talked for hours.
Last night we walked across the Seine bridge near the edge of the city's
main downtown area, and talked about the current state of Parisian politics
for hours.

The grammar books I've consulted say that no comma should break up a
compound predicate.  In The Bedford Handbook, Diana Hacker states, "Do not
use a comma between comound elements that are not independent clauses.
Though a comma should be used before a coordinating conjunction joining
independent clauses, this rule should not be extended to other compound word
groups." In the Chicago Manual of Style, I find a similar rule (5.33): "Care
should be taken to distinguish between a compound sentence (two or more
independent clauses) and a sentence having a compound predicate (two or more
verbs having the same subject). Preferably, the comma should not be used
between the parts of a compound predicate. Chicago then gives three examples
of correct usage: (1) He had accompanied Sanford on his first expedition and
had volunteered to remain alone at Port Royal. (2) Mrs. Chapuis has been
living in the building for over thirty years and is distraught over the
possibility of now having to move. (3) On Thursday morning Kelleher tried to
see the mayor but was told the mayor was out of town." I am confused by the
meaning of a "compound predicate" or a "compound word group." The dictionary
defines compound as "to combine so as to form a whole." I can sort of see
how putting a comma before the coordinating conjunctions in these sentences
would make them awkward, since both phrases are more unified and make sense
as one than if I were to separate them with a comma; however, I cannot
always tell, and I am bothered by this ambiguity.

According to this definition of a compound predicate, no commas would be
allowed in any of the examples above.  Neither in the examples that follow.
Is this always the case?

And she said, As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful
of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am
gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that
we may eat it, and die." (I do not understand why "eat it, and die" is not a
compound word group/predicate. Both verbs belong to the same subject. I do
understand why the author would choose to create a special pause there,
though.

The anxiety of the people over their country's champion, and the joy of
victory will be felt universally in all of the world's races and economic
structures.

Another aspect of his scenes which do not make sense, and do not appear
realistic, is his use of clouds.
If you choose to appeal a grade, write the appeal out on a piece of paper,
and submit it to me when you turn in your next essay.

Nature, for someone living in Singabpore, is something articifically
preserved, and small in scale-a great departure from the broad expanses of
wilderness in Cole's paintings.
Man works in tandem with nature, using its rivers to fish, and its wood to
build log cabins.

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