The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-12-05
The Leap freln the Mala Drueke
FROM THE GERMAN or LUDWIG sroRCH.

4 a g
n FROM THE GERMAN or LuDwlc sroRcH.
l.
I, Twas past midnigh4--ths lights % III
stone bridge which crosses the rivee Main q
Frankfort were still burning, tho1gh ~
,, foot steps of passengers had died away fol
some time on its pavemsnt-wh younS
man approached the bridge from the towr
with hasts strides. At the Same time, an
other man, advanced in years, was coming
towards him from Sachsenhausen, the well
known snberb on the opposite side of thu
river. The two had not yet met, the latter
turned from his path, and went over che par.
apet, with the evident intention Of lenping
from the bridge into the Main.
The young man followed him quickly, and
laid hold OF him.
'.sir," said he, sslthink you want to drown
yourself"
"You think right, sir; but what is that to
yon?''
Nothing at all. was only going to ask
! you to do me the favor to wait few min
utes, and allow me to join you. Let us draw
| the leap together. The idea OF making the
journey with perfect stranger, who has
/ CHANGED to come for the same purpose, IL re-
ally rather interesting. Indeed, | have not
experienced anything 30 exciting fer some
/ time; and should not have thought that, in
/ my last hour, 90 pleasant IN occurrence would
| happen. Come, sir; for many years have
not made a request to any human being; do
not refuse me this one, which must be my
last. assure you, 90 not remember ever
having spent 50 many words about any re-
| request whatever
| SO saying, the young man held out his
hand. His companion took it and he then
continued, with kind Of enthusiasm; $50
| be it, arm in-arm--and now let US be quick
about it. 1t il really charming to feel u hu-
man heart near me in these last moments
1 | do not ask what you are, good or bad
come, let US drown"
| The elder Of the two, who had been first in
| SO great hurry to end his existence in the
waters Of the river, now restr aimed the i'm
petuosity Of the younger.
sStop, sir" said he, while his weary eve
| tried to examine the features Of his compan.
/ ion us well as the pickering light Of the near
es, lamp would ALLOW him-"Stop, sir. You
seem to me too young to leave life in this
way. am afraid you are committing rash
act; for man Of your years, life must have
still bright prospects"
"nrigh, prospects i'm the midst OF rot
tenness and decay, falsehood and deceit, vice
and corruption! Come, let US make an end
| Of it.o
Sand so young Yonr experience must
have been very sad to make you consider oil
creatures which have the human form brood
Of serpents."
| ooh, serpents are noble beings compar-
/ ed with men they follow the impulses Of
! their nature; they are no hypocrites, boar
| ing virtue on their lips and vice in their
! hearts,
/ 81 pity you from my heart; but there GER
/ tainly IRE many exceptions to this miserable
rule
81 have found none," said the young
man.
! Then 1t may be consolation, though a
/ poor one, that yon have found one in this
! solemn hour. However much men are given
/ to falsehood, there are very few who lie in
the hour Of death, within sight OF eternity.
/ But for me, have never told falsehood in
my life, and would not for anything in the
world enter upon the dark road with a
lie upon my lips; and therefore, when
tell you that am no. villain, as you seem
to think me, but an honest and upright man,
| am telling you the simple unvarnished
truth"
must meet the only honest man ever saw in
the world, when am on the point Of leaving
it, and i'll his company"
''Let me 60 alone, and do you remain
here. Believe me, there are many good and
honest people who could render life charming
for you. Seek them, and you are sure to
End Them"
"Well, the first one have found already.
But if life presents itself to you in hues so
/ bright, am surprised you should wish to
leave it,"
s"oh, am only poor old sickly man, un-
able to earn anything, and who can endure
no longer that his only child, an angel Of a
daughter, should work day and night to main
tain him, and even sometimes to procure him
| laxuries. No, sir, to allow this longer,
must be tyrant. barbarian
"What, sir ~ exclaimed the other, almost
terrified, s'you have an only daughter sacri-
hcing herself for your sake?"
sand with what patience, what sweetness,
shat love, what perseverance. sec her sink
ing under her toll and deprivations, and not
word Of complaint escapes from her pallid
lips. She works and starves, and still has
always word Of love, IN affcctionAte smila
for her father.'
"S.r, and you want to commit suicide! Are
you mad"
"Dare murder that angel? The thought
pierces my heart like q dagger" said the old
man sobbing.
''Sir, you must have bottle Of wine with
me, see tavern open yonder. Come, you
must tell me your history; and, if you have
no objection, will tell you mine. But this
much may say at once-there is no occa-
sion for you to leap into the river. | am
rich, very rich man; and il things re-
ally are rs you represent, your daughter will
no longer have to work, and, you shall not
starve."
The old man allowed himself to be drag
ged along by his companion. In few
minutes, they were seated 1t table in the
tavern with full glasses before them, and
each examining curiously the features Of the
other.
i Refreshed and comforted by the effects Of
the wine the old man began thus:
"My history is soon told. Iam mcrcan-
tile man; but fortune never favored me. |
had no money myself, and loved and mar
ried poor girl. took situation - book
keeg er, which held until became useless
from age and younger mon were preferred
/ 70 rae. Thus my circumstances were AWAY
crcumscribed, bat nv domestic happiness