Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1856-12-19

Girl. could never begin business
on my own account. ! took a stu
alton as book keeper, which held
until ! bscame useless from age, and
younger men were preferred to me.
Thus my circumstances were always
circumscribed, but my domestic hap
piness was complete. My wife was
an angel Of love, kindness, and fond
ness, good and pious, active and af-
fectionate and my daughter is the
true Image OF her mother. But age
and illness have brought me TO the
last extremity; and my conscience
reyots against the idea Of the best
child in the world sacrificing her life
fer an old, useless fellow. ! cannot
have much longer to live; and ! hope
the Lord will pardon me for cutting
off few days or weeks from my
life, in order to preserve or prolong
that of my dear Bertha"
You are a fortunate man, my
friend" exclaimed the young man !;
81 have never seen more fortunate
one. What you call your misfortune
is sheer nonsense, and can be cured
at once. Tomorrow ! Will make
my will, and you shall be the heir OF
all my possessions, aud tomorrow
night | will take the leap from the
Maine Brucke alone. But before |
leave this world, must see your Ber-
tina, for am anxious to look upon
one who is worthy the name of hu-
..,~t LStnS.
But, sir, what can have made
you so unhappy at this early &c y
said the old man, moved vita COM
passion.
81 believe it was my fathers
wealth. am the only son Of one
of the richest bankers of Frankfort ::
when | mention my name, you will
be at once convinced of the truth of
my assertion. My father died five
years ago, and left me the heir to an
immense fortune. From that moment
every one that has come in contact
with me has cndcavored to deceive
and defaud me. was child in
innocence, trusting and conhlng !;
my education had not been neglect
ed, and | possessed my mothers low
ing heart. | endeavored to associate
myself in a union Of love and friend
ship with good and generous people,
but | found only hypocriles and i'm
posters, who pretended friendship for
no other purpose than to partake Of
my wealth, and enjoy themselves at
my expense My friends, or rather
the villains whomI mlstook for friends
and to whom | opened my heart, be-
trayed me, and then laughed at my
simplicity but in time | gathered
experience, and my heart was filled
with dlstrust. was betrothed to a
rich heiross, possessed of all fashion,
able accomplishments | adored her
with enthusiasm her love, thought,
would repay me for every disappoiut-
ment. But soon saw that she was
nothing more than a proud fool, who
wished to make me her slave, and
yoke all other men besides to her
tnumphal chariot. broke off the
engagement, and selected a poor but
charming glrl--a sweet, innocent be-
ing as | thought, who would be my
-. 4 4
one day bidding adieu with tears and
kisses to youth whom she loved
she had accepted me for my wealth
only, My peace Of mind vanished (;
! sought diversion in travel: every
where found the same hollowness,
the same treachery, the same misery.
10 short, | became disguised with
life, and resolved to put an end this
r night to the piiiable farce"
Unfortunate young man." said
| the other, with tears of sympathy,
4" how deeply pity you. confess
| have been more fortunate than you
S possessed wife and daughter,
1 who came forth pure and immaculate
u from the hand of the Creator. Tn,
one has returned to Him, in tn,
- whIleness of her soul, and SO vii
IT the other"
| " viii you give me your address
n old man, and permit me to visit YOU
daughter tomorrow But you mus
= also give me your word of honor tina
e you will not inform her, or insinuat
o to her in any manner whatever, tina
l. | am a rich man" The old mar
d held out his hand.
o" give you my word am anx
ID ious TO convince you that have spo
If ken the truth. Ny name is Wilhelm
r Schmidt, and here is my address,
giving him at the same time, bit G
y PAPER which he drew from his peck
d Ct.
is " And my name is Karl T
r, ! am the son of Anton =
d Take these bank notes, but only o
D. condition that you do not leave thi
" house until fetch you from it. Wait
= er a bedroom for this gentleman
You require rest, Herr Schmidt
err Good night. Tomorrow you vii
Iy see me again; hut under whatevc
lr circumstances this may happen. d
not forget the word you have give
1t me-"
= The name The young man ha
er mentioned, as well as the large sun
a struck the Old man with asionishmer
er but before he could recover hin
IS, self his companion had left the hous
e, and the waiter came to light him L