The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-12-06

seek to know who you are-an honest
man or a villain-come, let US begin our
journey together !
The elder held the young man back,
and, fixing his dim, halEextinguishcd
eyes svarchingly upon the countenance Of
his companion, exclaimed:
Hold! You seem to the too young to
end your life by suicide. A man Of your
years has still brilliant, aIluring future
in his grasp
Brilliant = answered the youn- man
SEQ nfu|ly. What have to hope in the
midst ofa world full of wickedneSs, false
hood, treachery and unhappineSs9 Come
quick!'
You are still to- young! You must
have had very sorrowful experiences to
make life already inSupportable to you
dcspise mankIn3!'
Without exception
Without exceptionn
We'll, then, you have now, perhaps,
found a man whom you will not nrcess
arily despiSe. ] have, believe me, du.
ring my whole life lived nm honorable
man.
Really, that is highly interesting.
It's pity had not earlier made your ac-
quaintancel'
Leave rne to die alone, young man.
Live on! Believe me. time heals oil
wounds. and there nre mem Of honor yet
to he found
Now, if you take this view. why are
you hurrying so fast to say Vale TO the
worldg'
oh, ain an old, sickly man. unabed
to make liveihoOd-a man who cannot,
will not, longer see his only child, his
daughter, blightinS her youth and labor
ing day and night to support him. No, |
would be an unfeelng father, would be
barbarouS, if lived on thus
How sir! yuu have a daughter who
does this for your Asked the young
man, surprised.
r-.t And with what endurance, with what
love, docs she sacrifice herself for me:-
She works for me, she goes hungry for
me, and has only the tendrreSt words Of
love-a sweet smile for me always
And you want TO commit suicide p
Are you mad!'
Shall | murder my daughter? The
life which she is now leading is her Ger
tain DEATH" answered the old man, in
despnrirg voice.
Good, sir; come go with me to the
nearest inn that is still open. and let us
drink bottle Of wine together. You
will relate to the your history. and, if you
like. | will let you hear mine. So much,
however, will ] say to you beforehand
Chase all thoughts Of selfmurler out Of
| I ~ oh h,,
as you say, from hencelorth You anil
your daughter shall lead a pleasant life
The old man followed the younger
without opposition. A few minutes
later, over full Of glasses the elder began
Ny history is soon told. was
merchants clerk. but always unlucky.
As had nothing by inheritance, and the
yourg girl had married was poor, was
never able 10 commence business on my
own account, and remained on to old age
in q dependent, subordinate position.
Finally, was discharged on account Of
my years, and then began the struggle
for subsistence MY wife died OF
trouble, and now nv poor child is wear
led to gain my support. ! cannot bear
to see her working herself to death for
inc (; therefore it is better l go. Now
you know all
Friend exclaimed the young man,
you are the most fortunate man I ever
encountered in my life. 1t is insane to
call that misfortune, Nobody is easier to
he p than vou. Tomorrow I will make
my will, and you shall ue--nv iveie-
nce!-my heir. The coming night is
my last. Before this, however, | must
see your daughter, out Of pure curiosity.
| would for once sec how one looks that
really deserves the name Of woman
But, young man, what can it be that
so early nude you unhappy questioned
tbs elder, sa%slAmoved.
: Il believe it was the wealth which my
father left me. was the only son Of the
richest banker in this city. My father
i. died five years since, leaving mc-more
than was good for me. Since that time
nave been deceived and betrayed by
every one, without exception, with whom
| have had any connection. Some have
pretended friendship for neon account
Of my money. OtrcrS have pretended ia
love me-again for my money; and so il
went on. often mingled, in the garb OF
a simple workman, with the masses, and
thus one day became acquainted with a
charming being, young girl. to whom
my whole heart soon went out in love.
| disclosed to her neither my name nor
my position. longcd to be loved for
myself alone, and for time it appeared
as if were about to be happy-at last!
at last The young girl and !, whom
she still regarded as simple workman,
met every afternoon in the MarcuSplatz,
where we walked up and down together,
passing many happy hours. One day
my dear girl appeared with red eyes
she had been weeping-and told me that
We must part confeSsing that her life
belonged to another With these words
she tore herself from me, and disappear.
ed in the crowd. Her faithleSsness de,
cided my destiny. Vainly did rush in
to the pleasures which Go-calied good
society has to offer, but found my lost
peace of soul, never-never! then de-
termined to bring my joyless existence to
q close
Unhappy young man! = said the ell
der, wiping his eyes; from my whole
heart pity you for |, at least, was by
, two wOmen-my wife and daughter
| tenderly loved
'Will you give me your address, kind
sir, that l may convince myself of thG
truth Of your story, It is not exactly
7 mistruSt, but must see to believe. To
, morrow I must arrange nv affairs as