Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-12-26
-, =
Gbe Storq-GelIer.
From DR.. Bartlett's Anglo-Saxon.
A Leap from tho Main Brucke

"A AodP AAOIu CuO Ma10 bruCko.
1r was past midnight-the lights on
the stone bridge which crosses the rive,
Main at Frankfort were still burning.
though the footsteps of passengers had
died away for some time on its pavement
when young man approached the
bridge from the town with hasty strides.
At the same time another man, advanced
in years, was coming towards him from
Sachsenhausen, the we'll known superb
on the opposite side of the river. The
two had not yet met, when the latter
turned from his path, and went towards
the parapet. with the evident intention
of leaping from the bridge into the Main.
The young man followed him quickly,
and laid hold Of him.
Sir, said he, Il think You want to
drown YOURSELF
You think right, sir; butwhat is that
to youF
Nothing at all l was only going to
ask you to do me the favor to wait few
minutes, and allow me to join you. Let
us draw close to each other. and, arm in
arm, take the leap together. The idea
Of making the journey with perfect
stranger, who has chanced to come for
the same purpose, is really rather inter-
esting. Indeed, have not experienced
anything so exciting for some time and
| should not have thought that. in my
last hour, SO pleasant an occurrence
would happen. Come, sir for many
years l have not made a request to any
human being; do not refuse me this one.
which must be my last. assure you, |
do not remember having ever spent so
many words about any request what.
ever.
So saying. the young man held out his
hand; his companion took it, and he
then continued, with kind of enthusi-
asm. so be it: arm in ARMAND now
let us be quick about it; it is really
charming to feel human heart near me
in these last moments. | do not ask
what you arc, good or bad-eomc, let US
down.
The elder of the two, VINO had at first
been in s, great hurry to end his exis-
tence in the waters of the river. now re-
strained the impetuosity of the younger.
Stop. SIR said he. while his weary
eve tried to examine the features of his
companion as well as the fickering light
of the nearest lamp would allow him
Stop, sir YOU seem to be too young to
leave life in this way. am afraid yon
are committing a rash act; for man OF
your years, life must have still bright
prospects.
'Brigh. prospects in the midst OF
rotteuness and decay, fllschood and de-
ceit, vice and corruption, Come, let us
make an end of it.
And so young Your experience
must have been very sad to make you
consider all creatures which have the hu-
man form a brood of serpents.
'Oh, serpcnts are noble beings COM
pared with men; they follow the impuls-
es of their nature they are no hypo-
critics, bearing virtue on their lips and
vice in their hearts.
i pity you from my heart; but there
certainly are many exceptions to this
miserable rule
Il have found nene, said the young
man.
Then it may be consolation, though
a poor one, that you have found one ii
this solemn hour However much mer
are given to fllsehood, there are very few
who lilo in the hour of death, within sight
of eternity. But for me, have nevel
told a f,lsehood in my life. and | woulC
not, tor anything in the world, enter upor
the dark road with lie upon my lips
and, therefore, when tell you that an
not villain, as you seem to think me
but an honest and upright man, am tell
ing you the simple, unvarnishcd truth
Indeed that is interesting. And 81
l must meet the only honest man that eve
saw in the world, when | am on tn
point of leaving it, and in his own com
pany!
Let me 60 alone, and do you remai
here. Believe me, there are many goo
and honest people who could render lit
charming for you Seek them, and yo
are sure to find them.
We'll, the first one have found already
But if life presents itself to you IN hue
so bright, am surprised you should WIS
to leave it.
'Oh, am only poor old slckiy mar
unable to earn anything, and who can en-
dure no longer that his only child an al
gel of daughter, should work day an
night to maintain him, and even some
times to procure him luxuries. No. si
to allow this longer, must be tyrant'
barbarian
What, sir = exclaimed the other, a
most terrified; you have an only dausf
!. ter sacrificing herself for your sakeF
And with what patieuce. what swee
ness, what love, what perseverance
see her sinking under her toll and ne
densivations, and not word OF complain
/, escapss from her pallid lips. She wors
: and starves, and still has always woI woI,
Of love, an affectionate smile for her fatl
err
Sir, and you want to commit suicide
Are you mad? :, uu
.Dare l murder that angelf III
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