Nebraska advertiser., 1857-02-05
sfIett GaIe.
RTHA;
Or, The Leap from the Main Brucks.
rTTAnmEn
CHAPTER l.


Main at Frankfort were still burning,
though the footsteps of passengers had
died away for some time on its pave
ment-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
well-known suburb 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 quick
! ly, and laid hold him.
Sir said he, 4 think you want to
drown yourself
you think right, sir; but what is
that to you
Nothing at all; I was only going to
ask you to do me the favor to wait a
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
a perfect stranger, who has chanced to
come for the same purpose, is really
rather interesting. Indeed, | have moi
experienced anything SO exciting for
some time; and l should not have
thought that, in my last hour, pleasant
an 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. l assure you I do not remember
having ever spent so many words about
any request whatever.
So saying, the young man held out
his hand; his companion took it, and
he then continued, with kind of en-.
thusiasm: so be it; arm it armand
now let us be quick about it; it is really
charming to feel a human heart neal
me in these last moments. [ do no
ask what you are, good or bad-come
let us down.
The elder Of the two who had a
first been in so great hurry to enc
| his existence in the waters of the river
now restrained the impetuosity of the
younger.
Stop, sir said he, while his weary
eye tried to examine the features O
! 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. an
afraid you are committing a rash act
for a man Of your years, life must still
have bright prospects.
Bright prospectsI-in the rottehnes'
and decay, falsehood and deceit, vice
and corrup uption! Come, let US MAKE
an end Of it.
EAnd so young! Your experience
must have been very sad to make yoI
consider all creatures which have thC
human form the brood of serpents.'
'0h, serpents are noble beings com
pared with men; they follow the i'm
pulses Of their nature; they are nj
hypocrites, bearing virtue on their lip
and vice in their hearts,
4 pity you from my heart; but ther'
certainly are many exceptions to thi
miserable rule.
4 have found none,' said the youn1
man.
'Then it may be consolation, thougl
a poor one, that you have found on,
: in this solemn hour. However mucl
men are given to falsehood, there ar
: few who lie in the hour of death, with
g in sight of eternity. But for me,
+ have never told falsehood in my life
+ and I would not for anything in tn
world enter upen the dark road with
lie upon my lips; and, therefore, whel
l tell you that 1 am not villain, a
you seem to think me, but an homes
!. and upright man, I am telling you tn
g simple, unvarnished truth
: Indeed?--that is interesting. An
so must meet the only honest man
ever saw in the world, when I am o.
the point of leaving it, and in his owl
company
] Let me 60 alone, and do you remai
here. Believe me, there are man,
good and honest people who coul
> render life charming for you. See
ID them, and you are sure to find them
well, the first one l have foun
already. But if life presents itself t
you in hues so bright, 1 am surprise
you should wish to leave it.
oh, / am only poor sickly man
unable to earn anything; and who ca
T endure no longer that his only child
: an angel Of daughter, should wor
day and night to maintain him, an
T. even sometimes to procure him luxurie:
No, sir, to allow this longer, must B
tyrant, barbarian
what, SIR exclaimed the other, a
: most terrified, you have an onl
) daughter sacrificing herself for you
sakeS'