Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-01-22
8ese&ett 8H<tet#t<.
BERTHA;
Or, The Leap from the Main Brucke.
CHAPTER1.

II was past midnight-the lights on the
stone bridge which crosses the river Main !
at Frankfort were still burning, though the
footsteps of passengers 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 years, was coming
towards him from Sachsenhaussn, the well
known suburb on the opposite side ofthe
river. The two had not yet met, when the
latter turned from his path, and went to-
wards the parapet, with the evident inten-
ton of leaping from the bridge into the
Main.
The young man followed him quickly,
and laid hold of him.
Sir said he, 4 think You want to drown
yourself
you think right sir; but what is that
to your
Nothing at all; Twas only going to ask
you to do me the favor to wait 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 chanced to come for the same pur-
pose, is roally rather interesting. Indeed,
1have not experienced anything SO excl
ting for some time; and I could not have
thought that in my last hour, so pleasant
an occurrence would happen. Come, sir,
for many years have not made request
of any human being; do not refuse me
this one, which must be my last. | as
sure you 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 enthusiasm !;
so be I'll arm in aru-and now let US
be quick about it; it is really charming to
feel human heart near me in 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 exis-
tence in the waters of the river, now re-
strained the impetuosity of the younger
Stop, SIR said he, while his weary eye
tried to examine the features of his com.
panion as we'll as the Pickering light of the
nearest lamp would allow him-'Stop, sir
you seem to me too young to leave life II
tEis way. am afraid you are commit
ting rash act; fora man of your years
life must have still bright prospects,
Bright prospects, I'm the rottennes
aud decay, falsehood and deceit, vice ant
corruption! Come, let us make an end of it.
And SO young! Your experience mus
have been very sad to make you conside
all creatures which have the human form
brood of serpents.'
'Oh, serpents are noble beings compare
with men they follow the impulses c
their natures; they are no hypocrite'
bearing virtue on their lips and vice in thei
hearts, g.. ... .e.H
4 pity you from my heart; but ther
certainly are many exceptions to this mis-
cradle rule
4 have found none, said the young maj
Then it may be consolation, though
poor one, that you have found one in tn
solemn hour. However much men al
given to falschood, there are few who lie
the hour of death, within sight of eterni
". But for me, have never told falls
hood in my life, and l would not for any
thing in the world enter upon the dal
road with lie upon my lips; and, ther
fore, when tell you l am not villain,
you seem to think me, but an honest al
upright man, l am telling you the simp
unvarnished truth
Indeed that is interesting. And
l must meet the only honest man ev
saw in the world, when l am on the poi
of leaving it, and in his own company!
Let me go alone, and do you rema
here. Believe me, there are many 60
and honest people who could render
charming for you. Seek, them, aud y
are sure to find them
'Wel the first one have found alreac
But if life presents itself to you in hi
80 bright, am surprised you should VI
to leave it.
Oh, lam only poor old .sickly man, ,
able to earn anything, and who can endl
no longer that his only child, an angel
daughter, should work day and night
maintain him, and even sometimes to p
cure him luxuries. No, sir, 10 allow
longer, must be tyrant barbarian.
what sir ? exclaimed the other, aim
terrified, 'you have an only daughter sat
6cing herself for your sakel'
'And with what patience, what swe
ness, what love, what perseverance /
her sinking under her toll and her