Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-23

,o--N AAtsA wv 1OItuue never 1dVOT-
cd me. had no money myself, and l
loved and married poor girl. l could
never pegin business on my own account.
l TOOK situation as book-keeper, which
! held until l became useless from age:
and younger men were preferred to me.
Thus my circumstances were ALWAYS cir
cumscribed, but my domestic happiness
was complete. My wife an angel Of love.
kindness and fendness, was good and
plous, active and afectionate; and nv
daughter is the true image of her mother.
But age and illness have brought me to
the last extremity, and my conscience
revolts against the idea of the best child
in the world sacrificing her life for an old
useless fellow. Icannot have much long
er to live; and hope the Lord will
pardon me for cutting off few DAYS or
weeks from my life in order to preserve
that of my dear Bertha.
"You are fortunate man, nv friend :"
exclaimed the young man; "what YOU
call misfortune is sheer nonsense. and
can be cured. Tomorrow will make
my will, and you shall be the heir OF all
my possessions, and tomorrow night T
will take the leap from the Main Bridge
alone. But before leave the world. I
must see Bertha, for I am anxious to
look upon one who is worthy the name of
a human being"
"Sir, what can have made YOU so un-
happy at this early ages" said the old
man, moved with compassion.
81 am the only son Of one of the rich
est bankers of Frankfort. My father
died five years ago, and left me tue heir
OF an immense fortune. From that mo-
ment, every one that has come in contact
with me has endeavored to deceive and
defraud me. was child in innocence,
trusting and confding. My education had
not been neglected, and possessed my
mothers loving,heart. My friends or rath.
er the villains whom mistook for friends
and to whom opened my heart, BETRAYED
me, and then laughed at my simplicity
IN time gathered experience, and my
heart was filled with distrust. l was be-
trothed to a rich heiress, possessed of all
fashionable accomplishments; I adore6
her with enthusiasm; her love thought
would repay me for every disappoint
ment. But soon saw that she wished
to make me her slave, and yoke all Other
men besides to her triumphal chariot,
broke OFT the engagement, and selected {
poor but charming girl-a sweet innocen
being, as I thought, would be nv life:
own angel. Alas! 1 found her one day
bidding adieu with tears and kisses to
youth whom she loved; she had &C
cepted me for my wealth only. My peace
of mind vanished, I sought diversion il
travel. Every where found the same
hollowness, the same treachery, the same
misery. In short I became disguised
with life, and resolved to put an end thi
night to the pitiable tarce.''
unfortunate young man, said th,
other with tears Of sympathy, II pity you
confess have been more fortunate tina,
you. I possessed a " 1fe and daughter
who came forth pure and immaculat,
from the hand of the Creator. The ON
has returned to Him in the whiteness o
her soul, and so will the other.
"Give me your address, old man, ant
permit me to visit your daughter to-mor
row. Also give me your word of homo
that you will not inform her or insinuat
in any manner that L am rich man.
The old man held out his hand.
Il give you my word I am anxious
to convince you that I have spoken tn
truth. MY name is Wilhelm Schmidt
and here is my address," giving him a
the same time, bit of paper which b,
drew from his pocket.
"And my name is Karl Trait. an
the son of Anton Trait. Take these bank
notes, but only on condition that you dc
not leave this house until I fetch YOU
from it. Waiter! bedroom for thi;
gentleman. You require rest, Her,
Schmidt. Goodnight. Tomorrow yot
will see me again.