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

river Main, at Frankfort, were still
burning, though the footsteps Of pas
sengers 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, an other man, advanced IN
wears, was coming toward him from
Sachsenhausen, the well known sub
urb on the opposite side Of the river
The two had not yet met, when the
latter turned from his path, and went
toward the parapet with the evident
intention of leaping from the bridge
into the Main.
The young man followed hun
quickly, and laid hold Of him.
" Sir" said he, 81 think you want
to drown yourselG"
You think right, sir; but what is
that to you :"
Nothing at all ] was only going
to ask you to do me the favor to wait
n few minutes, and allow me TO Join
you. Let us draw close to each olh-
or, and, arm in arm, take the leap
together. The idea of making the
Journey with n perfect stranger, who
has CHANGED TO come for the same
purpose, is really rather interesting.
Indeed, have not experienced any
thing so exciting for some time; and
! should not have thought that, in
my last hour, so pleasant an occur
renee would happen. Come, sir, for
many years have not mod" -~1''~-'
to any human being; do not refuse
me this one, which must be my last.
| assure you, do not remember hay-
ing ever spent so many words about
any request whatever
SO saying the young man held
out his hand his companion took II
and he then continued, with kind
of enthusiasm So be 1t, arm il
ARMAND now let us be quick about
il; it is really charming TO feel a hu'
man heart near me in these last mo-
ments. | do not ask what you are
good or bad-come, let us down"
The elder Of the two, who had
at first been in so great hurry tC
end his existence in the waters Of the
river, now restrained the impetuoslty
Of the younger.
Stop, sir" said he, while hi:
weary eye tried to examine the lea'
lures Of his companion as well as
the Pickering light of the nearest
lamp would allow him" Stop, sir
you seem to me too young to leave
life in this way. | am afraid you are
committing a rash act; for man oI
your years, life must have still bright
prospects,"
" Bright prospects lin the midst
Of rottenness and decay, lalsehood
and deceit, vice and corruption :
Come, let us make an end of it,"
" And so young Your expert
ence must have been very sad to
make you consider all creatures which
have the human form a brood of ser.
penis"
"Oh, serpents are noble beings
compared with men they follow the
impulses of their nature they are
no hypocrltes, bearing virtue on their
lips and vice in their hearts"
+" pity you from my heart but
there certninlv are many ov"nrfions
TO this miserable rule"
have found none," said the
young man.
Then it may be consolation,
though poor one, that you have
found one in this solemn hour. How
ever much men are given to false.
hood, there arc very few who lie il
the hour of death, within sight o
eternity. But for me, have neve
told a lalsehood in my life, and
would not, for anything in the worl'
enter upon the dark road with Ii,
upon my lips and therefore, when
tell you that am not Villain, a
you seem to think me, but an homes
and upright man, ! am telling 20
the simple, unvarnishcd truth"
" Indeed that is interesting. go
And so ! must meet the only hone
man ! ever saw in the world, when
am on the point of leaving il, and
his own company 7"
Let me go alone, and do you r,
main here. Believe me, there al
many good and honest people wi
: could render life charming for yo
Seek them, and you are sure to fin
them"
Well, the first one | have four
'e already. But if life presents itse
81 to you in hues So bright, 1 am su
81 prised you should wish 10 leave it.
IL " Oh, | am only poor old sick
re man, unable 10 earn anything, al
rs who can endure no longer that h
IS only child, en- angel Of a daughte
ID should work day aud night to mai
" tain him, and even sometimes to pr
al cure him Injuries. No, sir, to alIo
n this longer, must be iyrani, ba
le barian."
rs A" What, sir I" exclaimed the 9th
is almost terrified, you have an on
Of daughter sacrificing herself for yo
4 sake 7"
10 " And with what patience, win
rs sweetness, what love, what perseve
h ance /! see her sinking under h
a toll and her deprivatlons, and not
ID word Of complaint escapes from h
us pallid lips. She works and starvC
ne and still has always n word of 10y