Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-12-04
THE MAIN BRIDGE.

IL was past mldn1ght-the lights On
the stone bridge which crosses the Riv-
er Main at Frankfort We're still burning,
though the footsteps of passengers had
died away for some time on its pave
ment, when young man approached
the bridge from the town with hasty
strides. AT the same time another
man, advanced in years, was coming
towards him from Sacbenhausen, the
we'll 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 from the
bridge into the Main.
The young man followed him quick
ly and laid hold of him.
"Sir," said he, 1 think you want to
drown yourself"
"What is that to your"
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 to each other, aud, arm in arm.
take the leap together. The idea OF
making the journey with a perfect
stranger, who has CHANGED to come for
the same purpose, is really rather in
teresting. For many years | have not
made a request of any human being;
do not refuse me this one, which must
be my last"
The young man held ont his hand.
His companion took it. lie 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 SO great a 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 10
me to be too young to leave life in this
way; for man of your years life must
still have pright prospects,"
bright prospects! In the midst OF
rotteness and decay, vice and corrup,
toni Come let us end it.
"And so young! Let me go alone
and do you remain here. Believe me
there are many good and honest people
who would render life charming to you
Seek them, and you are sure to find
them"
swell. if life presents itself to you in
hues SO bright, [ am surprised you
should wish to leave it,"
"Oh, | am only a poor, old sickly
man, unable to earn anything, and who
can endure no longer that his only child
and angel OF daughter, should work
day and night TO maintain him; To al
low this longer | must be a tyrant, 8
barbarian"
"What sir!' exclaimed the other
"you have an only daughter sacrifc
ing herself for your sake?"
And with what patience, whats sweet
ness and love, what perseverance! [ see
her sinking under her toll and her de-
privations, and not a word of complaint
escapes her pallid lips. She works and
starves, and still has word of love fol
her father"
"And you commit suicide! Are you
mad?"
"Dare I murder that angel? The
thought pierces my heart like a dagger
said the old man, sobbing.
''Sir, you must have supper with me
L see tavern open yonder. Come, you
must tell me your history, and / will
tell you mine. There is no occasion fol
your leap into tie river. am rich
man; your daughter will no longer have
to work, and shall not starve."
The old man allowed himself to be
dragged along by his companion. In a
few minutes they were seated at table
IN the tavern, with refreshments before
them and each examining curiously the
features of the other,
Refreshed by the viands. the old man
began thus:
"My history is soon told. I was q
mercantile man; but fortune never
favored ME. had no money myself
and loved and married a poor girl.
could never begin business On my own
account. | took situation as book.
keeper, which held until [ became use.
less from age, and younger men were
preferred to me. Thus my circum.
stances were always circumscribed
but my domestic happiness was com.
plete. My wife, an angel Of love, kind.
ness and fondness. was good and pious
active and afectionate; and my daugh-
ter is true immase other 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 and useless fellow. 1 cannot
have much longer to live, and | hope
the lord will pardon me for cutting Of
few days or weeks from my life, in
order to preserve that of my dear
Bertha"
"You are a fortunate man, my
FRIEND" exclaimed the young man.
"What you call misfortune is sheer
nonsense, and can be cured. Tomorrow
| shall make my will, and you shall be
the heir of my possessions, and to-mor.
row night 1 shall take the leap from
the Main bridge alone. But before
leave this world l must see Bertha, for
am anxsous to look upon one who is
Sir, what can have made you so I'm.
happy at this early age?' said the OLD
man, moved with compassion.
Il am the only son of one of the
richest bankers in Frankfort. Nv
| father died five years ago, and left me
heir to an immense fortune. From that
| moment every one that has come in
contact with me has endeavored to de
ceive and defraud me. [ was d child
in innocence and confding. My educa
ton had not been neglected, and pos
sessed my mothers loving heart. My
friends, and to whom opened my heart
betrayed me, and then laughed a
my simplicity; in time I gathered ex
perieEce, and my heart was filled viii
distrust. [ was betrothed to a rich
heiress, possessed of all fashionable &C
complishments; adored her with en-
thusiasm, and love. l thought, would
repay nue. for every disappointment