The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-10-01
WEARY OF LIFE.

| Midnight was past, and the lights of tn
vessels lying at anchor in the stream wer
beginning to be extinguished, when tw
men hurried from different directions tn
ward the shore. The older of the two ha,
already reached the strand and was prcpar
ing to take leap, the design of which wa.
not to be mistaken. but at that instant H.,
younger seized him by the arm, exclaim
ing:
Sir, believe you want to drown your
self!'
You have gut ssed it. What is that to you?
This was the answer, spoken in mos,
angry tone.
Nothing, know. l would simply re.
quest you to wait a couple of minutes,
when, il you like, we will make the great
journey together. Arm in arm-the bes,
way Of dying.
With these words the you niger extended
his hand to the elder, whose hand was no,
withheld. The former continued, in tone
Of seeming enthusiasm:
so be it |! Arm in arm. Truly did moi
dream that q human heart would beat with
mine in this last hour. | will not seek ia
knew who you are-an honest man or
villain come, let US begin the journey to.
gether!'
The elder held the young man back. and
fixing his dim, half extinguished eyes
searchingly upon the countenance Of his
companion, exclaimed:
Hold You seem to be too young to
end your life by suicide. A man of your
years has still brilliant, alluring future in
his grasp
'Brilliantr answered the young man,
scornfully. w hat am to hope in the midst
Of world full Of wickedness, falsehood.
trcachery and unhappiness. Come Quick =
You are still young! You must have
had very sorrowful experience to make life
already thus unsupportable to you.'
4 despise mankindr
Without exception?'
Without exceptionv
w ell, then, you have now, perhaps.
found man whom YOU will not necessari.
ly despise. have, believe me, during nv
whole life, lived an honorable man.
Really? This is interesting? 1t is a
pity had not earlier made your acquaint-
ancs.'
Leave me to die alone, young man. Live
on. Believe me, time heals all wounds, and
there are lnen Of honor yet to be found
Now, If you take this view, why hurry
so fast to say 'Vals' to the world?'
oh, | am an old, sickly man, unable to
make livelihood-a man who cannot. will
not, see his daughter longer blighting her
youth, and laboring day and night to sup.
port him. No! would be an unfeeline
father, would be barbarous, if lived on
thus
How, sir have you q daughter that
does this for your inquired the young
man, surprised.
And with what endurance, with wha,
love, does she sacrifice herself for me -
She works for me, she goes hungry for me,
and has only the tenderest words of love
"A sweet smile for me alwaysr
And you want to commit suicide. Are
you mad ?
Shall murder my daughter The life
which she is now leading is her certain
DEATH answered the old man, in a de spair.
ing voice.
Good sir, come, 60 with me to the near
est inn that is open, and let US drink bot.
tie Of wine together. You will relate to
me your history, and, If you like, l will let
you hear mine. So much, however, will say
to you beforehand: Chase all thoughts OF
self-murder out Of your head l am rich,
and, if things be as you say, from hence
forth you and your daughter shall lead q
pleasant life.'
The old man followed the younger with
out opposition. A few minutes later, owe,
full glasses, the elder began:
MY history is soon told. was mcr
chants clerk, but always unlucky. As
had nothing by inheritance, and the young
girl | married was poor, l was never able tt
commence business on my own account
and remained on to old age in a depend
ent, subordinate position. Finally, wa.
discharged on account Of my years, anc
then began to struggle for subsistence NJ,
wife died Of trouble, and now my pool
child wearies herself to gain my support
I cannot bear to see her working herself t.
death for me therefore, it is better l co.
Now you know ALL
Friend, exclaimed the young man.. 'yor
are the most fortunate man ever encoun
tered in my life. Nobody is easier to helE
! than you. TO morrow will make my will
and you shall bc-no rcsistance-my heir
The coming night is my last. Before this
"o"S', HuoS Sec yo"I u"SSutei oul v
pure curiosity. would for once see how
one looks, who really deserves the name o
woman
But, young man. what can it be that sc
early has made you unhappy questioned
the elder, much moved.
Il believe it was the wealth that my
father left me. was the only son Of ths
richist banker of this city. My father died
five years since leaving me more than was
good for. Since that time had been de
ceived and betrayed by every one, without
exception, with whom have had any con
nection. Some have pretended friendship
for me on account Of my money. Other,
have pretended to love again for money
and so it went on. | often mingled, in the
garb Of simple workman, with the mass
es. and thus one day booano aoquointcu
with charming being, young girl, tC
whom my whole heart soon went out in
love- I disclosed to her neither my name
nor my position. longed to be loved fol
myself alone, and for . time it appeared as
il were going to be happy-at last, .,
last The young girl and |, whom she still
regarded as simple workman, met every
afternoon in the Mareuspiatz, where we
walked up and down together, passing ma.
ny happy hours. .nc day my dear gir
appeared with red eyes hal been weep.
ing-and told me that we must part con
Tossing that her life belonged to another =
With these words she tore herself from
me, and disappeared in the crowd. Her
faithlessness decided my destiny. Vainly
did rush into the pleasant so called good
society which the world has to offer, bu,
found my lost peace Of soul never, never
| then determined to bring my joyless ex.
istence to close
Unhappy young man., said the elder,