Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1856-12-26

at once-there is no occasion FIR Won t.
leap into the river. am rich. y vcr,
rich man; and if things really are as vol
represent, your daughter will no lonre,
have to work, and you shall not starye.
The old man allowed himself to b,
dragged along by his companion. In
few minutes, they were seated at table
in the tavern, with full glasses befor,
them, and each examining curiously tn,
features of the other.
Refreshed and conforted by the effect:
of the wine, the old man began thus -
My history is soon told. / am a mer
camille man; but fortune never favored
me: L had no money myself, and loved
and married poor girl. l could never
begin business on my own account.
took situation as book-keepcr, which
held until became useless from age. and
younger men were preferred before me -
lhus my circums anccs were always cir
eumscrbcd, but my domestic happiness
was complete. My wife was an angel of
love, Kindness and fondness, good and p.
Gus. active and affectionate and my
daughter is the true image of her mother.
But age and illness have brought me to the
last extremity, and my conscience revolts
against the idea of the best child in the
world sacrificing her life for 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 prolons
that Of my dear Bertha
'You are fortunate man, my friend,
exclaimed the young man; i have new
er seen more fortunate one. What
you call your misfortune is sheer nom
sense, and can be cured at once. To-
morrow | will make my will, and YOU
shall be tho heir of all my possessions,
and tomorrow night will take the leap
from tle Main Bruckc alone. But5 eforc
| leave this world. must see your Ber-
tha, for | arr anxious to look upon one
who is worthy the name of human be-
ing
But. sir, what can have made you so
unhappy at this early age said the old
man. moved with compassion.
Il believe it was my fathers wealth.
| am the only son of one of the richest
bankers of Frankfort: when I mention
my name. you will be at once convinced
of the truth of my assertion. My faith
cr died FIVE years ago, and left me the
heir to an immense fortune. From that
moment. every one that has come in con-
tact with me has endeavored to deceive
and defsauG me. | was child in inno-
cencc. trusting and confding; my eju-
cation had not been neglected, and |
possessed my mothers loving heart.
endcavorcd to associate myself in un-
ion of love and friendship with good and
generous people, but found only hypo-
critics and impostors. who pretended
fricndehip for no other purpose than to
partake of my wealth, and enjoy them
selves at my expense. My friends, or
rather the villains whom | mistook for
friends, and to whom | opened my heart,
betrayed me. and then laughed at my
simplicity; but in time | gathered ex-
pericnce, and my heart was filled with
distrust. was betrothcd to rich heir
ess. possessed of all fashionable accom-
plishments l adored her with enthusi.
asm; her love, thought, would repay
me for every disappointment. But
soon saw she was nothing more than a
proud fool, who wished to make me q
slave, and yoke all other men besides tc
her triumphal chariot broke off the
engagement. and selected poor but
charming girl-a sweet, innocent being
as | thought, who would be my life owr
angel Alas l found her one day bid
ding adicu, with tears and kisses, to ;
youth whom she loved she had accept
ed me for my wealth only. My peace o
mind vanished ; | sought diversion il
travel everywhere I found the SAM
hollowness, the same trcachery, the sam
misery. In short. became disgustet
with life, and resolved to put an end thi
night to the pitiable farce
Unfortunate young man, said tn
other, with tears of sympathy, how deep
lly l pity you. | confess | have bee
more fortunate than you. l possessc
a wife and daughter, who came fort
pure and immaculate from the hand c
the Creator. The one has returned t
Him in the whiteness Of her soul, an
80 will the other
.Will you give me your address. oil
man, and permit me to visit your daugh
ter tomorrow But you must ais
give me your word of honor that yo
will not inform her, or insinuatc t
her in any manner whatever. that | ar
a rich man. The old man held ou
his hand.
Il give you my word; am anxiou
to convince you that l have spoken tn
truth. My name is Wilhelm schmid
and here is my address ) giving him
at the same time, bit Of paper whic
he drew from his pocket.
And my name is Karl L. ! ar
the son of Anton T. Take thes
. bank.notes, but only on condition tina
YOU do not leave this house until fetc
YOU from it. Waiter bedroom 10
this gentleman. You require rest, Her
Schmidt. Goodnight. Tomorrow yo
1 -, L,t ,o1ar w hnfavn