Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1857-01-08
BERTHA;
Or, Ihe Leap from the Main Rruckc.
CHAPTER. l

stone-bridge which crosses the river Mali
at Frankfort, were still burning, though
thefoOtsteps of passengers had died ava.
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 Sachsen
hausen, the well-known suburb on the OPP
posite side of the river. The two had no
yet met, when the latter turned from hi
path, and went towards the parapet, witt
the evident intention of lcaping from tn,
bridge into the Main.
The young man followed him quickly
and laid hold of him.
Sir said he, Il think you want t.
drown yourself
You think right, sir; but what is tina
to you?'
'Nothingat all; / was only going to ash
you to do me the favor to wait a few min
utes, and allow me to join you. Let us
draw close to each other, and, arm in arm
take the leap together. The idea of ma
king the journey with perfect stranger
who has CHANGED to come for the same
purpose, is really rather interesting. In
deed, | have not experienced anything SC
exciting for some time; and | should not
have thought that, in my last hour, SC
pleasant an occurrence would happen.
Come, sir, formany years Ihave not made
a request to any human being; do not re-
fuse this one, which must be my last. ]
assure you | do not remember having
ever scent so many words about any re-
quest whatever.
So saving. he young man held out his
hand; his con panion took it, and he then
continued. witna kind Of enthusiasm: so
be it: arm in ARMAND cow let us be
quick about it; it is really charming to
feel human heart near me III these last
moments. | 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 to end his eX-
istence in the waters of the river, now
restrained the impetuosity ofthe younger.
Stop, SIR said he, while his weary eye
tried to examine the features of his com
panion 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 com
hitting arash act; for man of youryears,
Life must have still bright prospects,
Bright prospects. in the rottenness
and decay, falsehood and deceit, vice and
corruption! Come, let US make an end of
it,
'And soyoung! Your experience must
have been very sad to make you consid-
er all creatures which have the human
form of the brood of serpents.'
ooh, serpents are noble beings compar
ed with men; they follow the impulses of
their nature; they are no hypocrites, bear
ing virtue on their lips and vice in their
hearts
4 pity you from my heart; but there
certainly are manyexceptions to this mis-
cradle rule
Ihave found none,' said the youngman.
Then it may be consolation, tho a
poor one, that you have found one in this
solemn hour. However much men are
given to falsehood, there are few who lie
in the hour Of death, within sight of eter-
nifty. Butiorme, have never told afalse-
hood in my life, and l would not for any
thing in the world enter upon the dark
road with lie upon my lips; and, there
fore, when tell you that | am not vii
lain, as you seem to think me, but an hon
est and upright man, / am telling you
the simple unvarnished truth
Indeed that is interesting. And so
| must meet the only honest man | ever
saw in the world, when | am on the point
Of leaving it, and in his own company
Let me go alone, and do you remain
here. Believe me, there are many good
and honest people who could render life
for you. Seek them, and you
are sure to find them
well, thefrstone have found already.
But if life presents itself 10 you in hues
so bright, | am surprised YOU should wish
to leave it.
ooh, l am only a poor sickly man, I'M
able to earn anything; and who can en-
dure no longer that his only child, an an
gel of daughter, should work day and
night to maintain him, and even some
times to procure him Injuries. No, sir,
TO allow this longer, | must be a tyrant,
q barbarian
what, sirr exclaimed the other, almost
terrified, you have an only daughter sac
rifcing herself for your sake?'
'And with what patience, what sweet
ness, what love, what perseverance. | see
her sinking under her toll and her depri-
and not a word of complaint es-
cspes from her pallid lips. She works
and starves, and still has always word
of love, an affectionate smile for her IA
ther.'
Sir, and you want to commit suicide!
Are you mad?
Dare I murder that angel? The tho't
pierces my heart like 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, j will then tellyou
mine. But this much ! may say at once
there is no occasion for you to leap ir-
to the river. | am a rich, a yeryrich man;
and if things really are as you represent,
your daughter will no longer have to
work, and you shall not starve.'
Theold man allowed himselfto be drag
ged along by his companion. In few
they were seated at table IN
the tavern, with full glasses before them,
and each examining curiously the fea-
lures of the other.
Refreshed and comforted by the effects
of the wine, the old man began thus
My history is soon told. l am a
man; but fortune never favor
ed me. had no money myself, and |
owed and married poor girl. l could