The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-11-21
THE MAIN BRIDGE.

1t was past midnight-the lights or
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 pave
ment, when a yourg man approached
the bridge from the town with hasty
strides. usAt the. same time, another
man, advanced in years, was coming to-
ward him from Sachsenhausen, the
,well.known. suburb on the opposite side
Of the river. Tho two had not yet met,
when the latter turned from his path
and went toward the parapet with the
evident intention of leaping from the
bridge into the Main.
The young man followed him quick
ly and laid hold Of him.
Sir said he, i think you want to
drown YOURSELF
w hat is that to youT
4 was only going-to ask you to do me
the favor to wait 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 perfect stranger, who
had cbapcsd to come for; the Esamo pur.
pose, is really rather interesting. For
many years I have not made request to
any human being; do not refuse me
.Lis-A.e, -~l.ie1,- --r,sst b. nay Loot -
Tie young man held out his hand.
His compaion took it. He continued,
with enthusiasm: SO be it; arm-in>
arm. I do not ask who you are, good
or bad-come, let US drown
The elder of the two, who had at first
been in so great hurry to end his ex:
isitence, now restrained the impetuosity
of the younger.
Stop, sir said he, while his weary
eyes tried to examine the features of his
companion. Stop sir. You seem to
me to be too young to leave life in this
way; for man of your years life must
have still bright prospects,
Bright prospects i'm the midst OF
rottenness and decay. vice and corrup-
ton Come, let us end it,
'Aud so young! Let me 60 alone,
aad do you remain here. Believe me,
there are many good and honest people
who coula render life charming for you.
Seek them, and you are sure to find
them g..
well, if life presents itself to you in
hues so bright, [ am surprised you
should wish to leave it,
sOh, I am only poor old sickly
man, unable to earn anything, and who
can endure no longer that his only child
an angel of daughter, should work day
and night to maintain him. To allow
this longer I must be tyrant, a barba'
rian.'
What, sir = exclaimed the other, you
have an only daughter sacrificing her
self for your sake"
And with what patience, what sweet.
ness, what love, what perseverance l
see her sinking under her toll and her
deprivations, and not word of COM
plant escapes from her pallid lips. She
works and starves, and still has word
Of love for her father.
And you commit suicide ! Are you
mad p ~
Dare 7 murder that angel? ? The
thought pierces my heart like a dagger
said the old man, sobbing.
Sir, YOU must have supper with me;
I see a tavern open yonder. Come, yot
must tell me your history, and | will tel
you mine. There is no occasion for yo'
| to leap into the river. 1 am rich man
your daughter will no longer have II
work, and you shall not starve.'
The old man allowed himself to b
dragged along by his companion. In
few minutes they were seated at taol
in the tayern, with refreshments oefor
them, and each examiping cur'ously tn
features Of the other.
Refreshed by the vianas, the old ma
began thus: =,
mercantile man; but fortune neVe
favored me. l had no money mysel
, and I loved and married poor girl
could never begin business Oh my oW
, .ccn,,nt; ! took a situation as bool
keeper, which I held until l became US US
less from age, and younger men We
nreferrcd to me. Thus my clrcun
stances were always circumscrlbed, b
INV domestic happiness was, compIe'
s Nv wife, an angel Of love, Kindness a'
E e foDdpess, was good and pious, actl
and affectiopate; and my darghter
., the true image of her mother but a
10,