The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-07-24
THE MAIN BRIDGE.

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
Sachsenhusen, 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 parapot from the bridge into the
| Nam.
The young man followed him quickly
and laid hold Of him.
Sir said he I think you want to
drown yourself.
what is that to you.'
4 was only going to ask you to DO me
the favor to wait q 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
leap with perfect stranger, who has
CHANGED to come for the same purpose, is
really interesting. For many years have
not made request to human being;
do not refuse me this one; which must
be my last
The young man held ont his hand.
His companion 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 SO great hurry to end his exis-
tence, now restrained the impetuosity of
the younger.
Stop sir, said he while his weary eyes
tried to examine the features Of his COM
panion. Stop sir, you seem to me to
be too young to leave life III this way;
for a man of your years life must have
still bright prospects.
Bright prospects in the midst Of
rotton6ss and decay, vice and corruption!
Como 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
could render life charming for you.
Seek them, and you are sure to find
| them
"Well, if life presents itself to you in
hues SO bright, I am surprised you
should wish to leave it,
'Oh, l 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
i.ffS. uTgnU t. r1tlfr1t1iu iiIf1. 70 aiiow
this longer l must be tYrant, o barbar-
ian.'
'What sir you have an only daughter
sacrificing herself for your sake?'
And with what patience, what sweet
ness and love, what perseverance! I sec
her sinking under her toll and her de-
privations, and not 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 Z?
''Dare / murder that angel? The
thought pierces my heart like dagger,
said the old man sobbing.
Sir, you must have supper with me; l
see a tavern open yonder. Come, you
must tell me your history, and will tell
YOU mine. There is no occasion for you
to leap into the river. l am rich man
your daughter will no longer have tt
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 a tabl
in the tavern, with refreshments before
them, and each examining curiously th
features of the other.
Refreshed by the viands the old ma
began thus:
My history is soon told. | was
mercantile man; but fortune never fayo
ed me. l had no money myself, an
: loved and married poor girl, [ coul
never begin business on my own accoun
[ took q situation as bookeeper, which
held until | became useless from ag
and younger men were preferred to m
Thus my circumstances were always CT
cumscribed, but my domestic happine
was complete. My wife, an angel
love, kindness, and fondness, was goo
and pious, active and alfectionate; N
my daughter is the true image of h
mother. But age and illness ha'
brought me to the last extremity and II
u conscience revolts against the idea Of Il
best child in the world sacrificing h
life for an old and useless fellow. l ca
not have much longer TO live and [ hol
the Lord will pardon me for cutting I
= a few days or weeks from my life, in {
der to preserve that of my dear BertL
You arc fortunate man my frien,
G exclaimed the young man, what you C
misfortune is sheer nonsense, and can
cured. Tomorrow I shall make my W
N and you shall be the heir of my posse:
Ia ions, and to morrow night will take
ma leap from the Main bridge alone. /
before / leave this world. l must :
Bertha, for am anxious to look up
J one who is worthy of the name of
man being"
ts' Sir, what can have made you so
happy at this early age?' said the
man, moved with compassion.
81 an the only son of one of the ri
est bankers of Frankfort. My fat
- died five years ago, and left me the !
to an immense fortune. From that
ment, every one that has come in con
y with me has endeavored to deceive
defraud me. l was a child in innocel
and conii1ing. My education had