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

It was past midnight-the lights on
the stone bridge which crosses the river
Main at Frankfort were still burning
thong the footsteps Of passengers had
died away for some time on its pavement
when a young man approached the
bridge from the town with hasty strides
At the same time, another man, advanced
IN years. was coming toward him from
Sachsenhausen, 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 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, II think you want to
drown yourself"
"What is that to vou?"
II was only going to ask you to do me
the favor to wait q few minutes and al
low me to join you. Let us draw close
to each other and, arm -in-arm, take the
leap together. The idea of making the
j Quincy with perfect stranger, who has
CHANGED to come for the same purpose, is
really rather interesting. For many
years | have not made a 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
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 aggreat hurry to end his existence,
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"
sBright prospects lin the midst of
rottenness and decay, vice and corrup-
ton! Come, let us end it.'
"And 50 young! Let me go alone, and
do you remain here. Believe me, there
are many good and honest people who
could render life charming for 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,
ooh, I am only a poor old sickly man,
unable to earn anything, and who can en-
dure 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, a barbarian"
''What, STRIP exclaimed the other, 'syou
have an only daughter sacrificing herself
for your sake!"
''And with what patience, what sweet
ness, whas love, what perseverance! 1
see her sinking under her toll and her
deprivations, and not word of complaint
escapes from her pallid lips. She works
and starves, and still has word of love
for her father"
ssAnd you commit suicide! Are YOU
mad?"
dare murder that angel? The thought
pierces my heart like dagger" said The
old man, sobbing.
"Sir, you must have supper with me;
see a tavern open yonder. Come, you
must tell me your history, and I will tell
you mine. There is no occasion for you
to leap into the river. / am rich man;
your daughter will no longer have to
work, and you shall not starve."
The old man allowed himself to be
dragged along by his companion. In
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