The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1878-12-31
LEAP PROM THE NAH
BRUCKI.
From the German ofLudvig Storch.

the etODe OI1Oge WHICH CtVOoS ssso
river Main ut Frankfort were still
burning though the foot steps Of pas
sengers had died away for soEe time
On its pavement. when . young man
approached the bridge from the town
with hasty strides. At the aame time.
another man, advanced in years. Was
coming towards him from Saehsen-
hansen, the well-known suburb on the
opposite side of the river. The two
had not vet met, when the lstter
turned from his path. and vent to-
wards the parapet, with the evident
intention of leaping from the bridge
into the Main.
The Young man followed him quick.
IL, and laid hold Of him.
Sir" said he. Il think you wan
to drown yourself"
"What is that tn you ;"
Il 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 tn each other. and arm in
arm. take the leap together. The idea
Of making the journey with . perfect
stranger. who has CHANGED to come for
the same purpose. is really rather in
teresting. For many years / have not
made a request to any human being:
do not refuse me this one, which must
be nv last"
The young man held out bis hand.
His companion took it. He continued.
with enthusiasm $50 be it; arm-in
arm. do not ask what you are, good
or bad-ccme, let us drown"
The elder of the two, who had at
first been 10 30 great hurry to end
his existence. now restrained the
impetuosity of the younger.
stop. .ir." said he. while his weary
eyes tried to examine the features Of
his companion. stop. sir. You seem
to me too young to leave life in this
way for a man of your years. life
must still have bright prospects.
bright prospects,! in the midst of
rottenness and decay. vice and corrup-
ton! Come let US end it.
"And so young! Let me 20 alone,
and do you remain here. Believe me,
there are many good and honest peo-
pie who could render life charming
for you. Seek them, and you are
sure to find them"
swell. if life presents itself to yon
in hues 90 bright. I am surprised you
should wish to leave il"
"Oh. am only a poor sickly man.
unable to earn anything. and who can
endure no longer that bis only child.
an angel of q daughter, should work
day and night to maintain him. To
allow this longer. I must bea tyant.
barbarian"
"What, sir 7" exclaimed the other,
"vou have an only daughter sacri6c-
ing herself for your sake :"
|'And with what patience. what
sweetness. what love; what persever.
ance! Isee her sinking under toll
and her deprivation. and not . word
of complaint ESCAPES from her pallid
lips. She works and starves. and still
has always a word of love for her
father" "And you commit suicide |!
Are Won mad ?"
"Dare l murder that angel! The
thought pierces nv heart like . dag.
ger" said the old man, sobblng.
"Sir. you must have . bottle of wine
with me; see tavorn open yonder.
Come you must tell me your history !;
and will tell you mine. There is no
occasion for you to leap into the river.
l am rich man your daughter will
no longer have to work, and shall not
yet starve."
The old man allowed himself to Be
dragged along BY his companion. In
a few minutes, they we're seated at q
table in the tavern. with full glasses
bef're them, and each examining
curi"uslv the features of the other.
Refreshed and comfarted BY the
effects of the wine, the old man began
thus:
MY fistoy is soon told. I NJ. a
mercantile man; but knrtune never
favored me. I han no money myself,
/ loved and married poor
girl. l could never begin bu.i.
ness on my own account. 1 took o.
situation as bookeeper. which held
until became useless from age. and
Younger men were preferred tn me.
Thus my circumstances were ALWAYS
circumscribed. but nv domestic happi.
ness was complete. Nv wife. an angel
Of love. kindness. and fondness. vas
good and pious. active. and affection
ate; and my daughter Is the true
image of her mother. But ago and
illness have brought me To the last
extremity, and nv conscience revolts
against the idea Of the hest child in the
world sacrificing her life for an old
useless fellow. / cannot have much
longer to live f; and I hope the Lord
will pardon me for cutting of . few
DAYS or weeks from my life. in order
to preserve or prolong that Of nv dear
"You are q fortunate man, nv
friend" exclaimed the young man:
what you call misfortune 10 sheer
and can be cured. To-mor.
row / will make my will. you shall be
the heir ofall my possessions. and to
morrow night I will take the leap .
from the Main Brucke alone. But
before | leave this world, I must Ct /
your Bertha. for l am anxious to look
upon one who is worthy the name of |
/ human being" js
''Sir. what can have made you 10 4
unhappy at this early ager aid the {
I'D man. moved with compassion. Z
Il am the only son of one Of the q
'ichest bankers of Frankfort. Nv /
ather died five years ago. and left me :
he heir to IN immense fortune.