The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1879-12-16
THE MAIN BRIDGE.


sengers had died a~ay for some time
on its pavement. when young man
approached the bridge from tine town
with hasty strides. At the same time
another man, advanced in years. was
coming toward him from Sachenhau.
sen, the well.known suburb on the
opposite side of the river. The two
had not vet met. when the latter
turned from his path aud went to-
ward the parapet from the bridge
into the Main.
The young man followed him
quickly and laid hold Of him.
Sir" said he. Il think Won want
to drown Yourself
What il that 10 you
81 was only going to ask you to do
me the facor to wait few minutes
and allow me to join you Let US
draw close to each other. and. arm IL
arm, take the leap together. The
idea of making the journey with q
perfect stranger. who has Glanced to
come for the same purpose. is really
rather interesting. For many years
| have not made request to any
human being do not refuse me this
one. which must he my last"
The young man held out his hand.
His Communion took it. He continued,
with enthusiasm so 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 50 great a hurry 10 end
his existence, now restrained the
impetuosity of the younger.
Stop sir" said he. while his weary
ewes 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
| wears life must have still bright
prospects.
bright prospects! In the midst
of rotienness ard decay, vice and
corruption A! Come. let us end it!"
..And SO young! Let me alone.
and you remain here. Believe me.
there are manv good and honest
people who could render lite charming
for you. Seek them, and you are
sure to find them"
well. II life presents itself to you
in hues SO bright. am surprised you
should wish 10 leave il"
"Oh. I am only poor, I'D sickly
man, unable to earn anything, and
who can endure no longer that his
only child. an angel Of daughter.
should work dag and night to main
tain him. To allow this longer !
must he tyrant. a barbarian"
..What. sir :" exclaimed the other.
you have an only daughter sacrificing
herself for your sake?'
"And with what patience, what
sweetness and love. what persever-
ance! 1 see her sinking under her
toll and her deprivatIons. and not Q
word of complaint escapes her pallid
lips. She works and starves. and still
has a word Of love for her father"
"And YOU commit suicide (? Are
you mad ?"
Dare ! murder that angel ! The
thought pierces nv 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 l will tell you mine. There il
no occasion for you to leap into tn.
river. am rich man your daugh-
ter will no longer have 10 work. and
you shall not sisrve."
The old man allowed himself to b.
dragged along by his companion.
In few minutes they were seated q,
a table in the tavern. with refresh.
m. nts before them, and each examin.
ing curiously The features IF the
other.
Refreshed by the viand-, the old
man began thus:
MY history is soon told. ! vas a
mercantile man hut fortune -neye,
favored me. had no money myself.
and loved and married poor girl. ]
could never BEGIN business on my own
account. ] took a situation as book.
keeper, which | held until l became
useless from age, and Younger men
we're preferred to me. Thus nv cir
cumstances were always circumscribed,
but my domeslic happiness was
complete. Ny wife. an angel Of love.
kindness and fondness. was good and
pious. active aud afiectlonaie aud
my daughter is true image of her
mother. But age and illness have
brought me to the last extremity. and
nv conscience revolts against the idea
Of the best child in the world
sacrificing her life for an old and
useless fellow. / cannot have much
longer to live. and / hope the Lord
will pardon me for cutting of a few
DAYS or weeks from nv life. in order
to preserve that Of my dear Bertha. "
"You are a fortunate man, my
friend" exclaimed the young man.
"What you call misfortunc is sheer
nonsense. and can be cured. To-
morrow shall make my will. and
you shall be the heir Of my posses
sions. and to morrow night l will take
the leap from the Main bridge alone.
But before leave this world I must
see Bertha. for I am anxious to Look
upon one who is worthy OF the name
of human being"
"Sir, what can have made you 90
unhappy Al this early age 7" said the
old man moved with compassion.
81 am the only son of one of the
richest bakers in Frankfort. Nv
father died five years ago. aud LIFT noe
heir to an immense fortune. From
that moment every one shat has come
in contact with has endeavored to
deceive and defraud me. l was q
ILL g, :n.onnono ouA ~.oE,1 n.