The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-08-21
fTsom Chaabss1 Journal
The Lesp ften the 1aia Drneks.'

tTsoa Chaabsrs Journal
The Lesp ften the 1aia DSneks.
oia sroEi zsGp.za maI I. H 100 ~ q
.oIs vas past miduight-ths lights ou th
stone bridge which crosses the river Mai
~ Frankfort were still burning. ,though th
footsteps of passengers had died awsy TO
some time on its pavemeus-when young
man approached the bridge from the towI
with hasty strides. At the same time. On
other msu advanced IN years was eoninI
t.w.rds him from the Sscbsenbsusen. tn
weitknown suburb on the opposite side o
the river. The two had not yet met, whe'
the latter turned from bis pGth and wen
towards the parspet. with the evident in
tsntion Of leaping from the bridge into th'
Asin. 1850
The young man followed him quickly
and laid hold Of him.
:" Sir" said he. O. think you want e
drown yourself." III sai ~
You think right. sir but what is sba
to yoa?" !.
80 Nothing at all: I was only going to ssk
you TO do me the favor 10 wait few min
otes aud allow me TO Join you. Let us
drw close TO each other, and arm IN arm
tske the leap together. The idea Of making
the journey with perfect stranger who
has chsnced 20 come FOR the same purpose.
10 really rather Interesting. Indeed, have
NOT expsrienced any thing so exciting tor
some tune; and should not have that. 10
my last hour. so pleasant an occurrence
would happen. Come, sir. for some Year,
Fhave not made request to any human
being d. not refuse me this one. which
must be my last, l assure you do moi
rsmemher having ever spent SO many words
sbout any request whx,eve-."
90 saying. the young man held out bis
hand his compAaion took is, and he then
coatinued. with kind of enthusiast " So
be it arm in armand nov let as be quick
about it; il is really charming to feel Z
hunsn heart nsar me 10 these last moments.
do not ak whst vou are. good or bad
come. let as down" ~ 'l s@
The elder Of the two. who had ct 6rst
bees in 50 great hurry to end his exist
epcA in the waters Of the river, now restrain.
cd the impetuosity Of the younger.
Stop, SIR" said he. while bis weary eye
tried to examiue the features of his com
paaien ~ we'll as the Aickering light Of the
neArest lamp would allow him" Stop. sir !;
you seem to me too young TO leave life in
this wsy. am afraid YOU are committing
. rash act for . man OF your years. life
must have still bright prospects,"
e. Bright pro poets Lin the midst Of rot
tsansss and decay. ialsehood snd deceit.
vice and corruption Come. let as make
% end Of it, a,tE Z. 5 aeFE q
"And soyoung! Your sxperisnce must
have been very sad 10 make you consider
oil creatures which have the human form q
6P0Od f,f aavnanta
20, serpents are noble beings compared
with men they follow the impulses Of their
nature: they are no hypocri,es. bearing
virtue on their lips and vice in their hearts" !"
=" ! pity you from my heart bat shers
certainly are many exceptions to this mis-
0rable rule" - ssslsltfts.l boil /
81 have ieand none." said the young
man. dseli ad49l.j 4
= Then it may be consolation, shosgh
, poor one, that you have found one in this
solemn hour. u However much men are
given to tslsehood. there are very lev Who
lie in the hour Of death. within sight Of
sternity. But Tor me. have never told .
falsehood in my life. and I would not for
sny ,hing in ,he world enter upon the dark
road with a lie upon my lips; and there-
fore. whom tell you thsk am not villain.
% you ssem 70 think me, but an bonsss snd
upright man. am telling you the simple.
unvArnished truth."a
\" Indeed i--shat 10 interesting. And SO
I must meet she only honest man ever saw
in the world. when l am on the point of
leaving il. and 10 his own company J"
r"Let me go alone. and do you remain
here. Believe me, there are many good
and honest people who could render life
charming Tor you. Seek them, and you are
sure to find them"
Well. the first one I have found alrea-
dy. But il life presents itself to you in
hues so bright. am surprised you should
wish TO leave M 5-
40. / am only poor old sickly man.
unable to earn anything. and who can en-
dure no longer that his only ol lid. an angel
of . daughter. should work day and night
to maintain him. and even sometimes 10
procure him luxuries. No. sir to allow
this longer. must be syrant, . barbari;
an ...,....r..
What. sirI' exclaimed the other. al
most terrified. You have an only daughter
sscri6cing herself for your sake ''' 90
And with what patience. what sweet.
ness. what love. what perseverance ] see
her sinking under her toll and her depriva-
tions. and not word Of complaint escapes
from her pallid lips. She works and starvss.
and still has always . word Of love. an affec-
tisnats smile for her fatber.''
"Sir. and you want to commit suicide
Are you mad 80 a,.s ,se e... casa
Dare l murder that angel? The
Thought piercss my heart like . dagger"
said the old man. sobbing. -
'.Sir. you must have bottle Of vine With
me l see . tavern open yonder. Come,
you must cell ne your history and il you
have no ohjrction. I will then tell you nina.
But this much I may say ss ouoe-there is
NO occasion for you to leap into the river!
! en- . rich. . very rich man !; aud II things
rckny are IS you fepressot. your daughter
will no longer have to work. and you shall
not starve.''
rThs sld man allowed himself to be drag
ged along by his companion. In q few
minutes they were s-ated at table in the
tavern. with full glasses before them. and
saph sxa mining curiously the features Of tht
Refreshed aud comforted by the effect o
tbs zine. the old man began thus:
"My history 10 soon told. I am . mer
cantile man but fortune never favored me
had no money mvsslf and I loyad snr