Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-10-25
THE MAIN BRIDGE.

1t 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 pave
ment, when a young man approached
the bridge from the town with hasty
strides. At 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. The 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 quickly,
and laid hold of him.
"Sir," said he, ST think you want to
drown yourself"
"What is that to you ?"
81 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
has chanced to come for the same pur-
pose, is really rather interesting. For
many years I have not made request to
any human being; do not refuse me
this one, which must be my last"
The young man held out his hand.
His companion took it. He continued,
with enthusiasm $50 be it ; arm-in-
arm. do not ask who you are, good or
bad-come, let us drown"
The elder of the two, who had at first
been in 30 great hurry to end his ex-
istence, 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 a man of your years life must
have still bright prospects. " .......
Bright prospects lin the midst OF
rottenness and decay, vice and corrup-
ton Come, let us end it"
"And so youngi Let me go alone,
and do you remain here. Believe me,
there are many good and honest people
who could render life charming for ysu.
Seek them, and you are sure to find
them"
"Well, if life presents itself to you in
hues 30 bright, l am surprised you
should wish to leave it" .-.-
"Oh, 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 a tyrant, bar.
barian."
"What, sir |" exclaimed the other,
"you have an only daughter sacrificing
herself for your sake2"
"And with what patience, what sweet
ness, what love, what perseverance |
see her sinking under her toll and hel
deprivations, and not word of com
plant escapes from her pallid lips. Sht
works and starves, and still has wore
of love for her father"
| "And you commit suicide | Are yor
mad ?"
"Dare I murder that angel9 TIL,
thought pierces my heart like dagger,
said the old man, sobbing.
"Sir, you must have supper with me
I see tavern open yonder. Come, yol
| hubu VOL AlO JOuA bibOOAJ uhO Il Will VCl
you mine. There is no occasion for yol
to leap into the river. I am rich man
your daughter will no longer have b
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 tabl
in the tavern, with refreshments befor
them, and each examining curiously tn
. features OF the other.
Refreshed by the viands, the old ma
began thus:
"My history is soon told. / was
mercantile man; but fortune neve
favored me. / had no money myself
and loved and married poor girl.
could never begin business on my ow
account. l took a situation as bool
keeper, which held until I became use
less from age, and younger men wei
preferred to me. Thus my circun
stances we're always circumscribed, br
my domestic happiness was complet'