River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-12-04
THE MAIN BRIDGE.

died away for some time on Its pave
ment, when a young man approached
the bridge from the town with hastJ
strides. At the same time another
man, advanced 10 years, was coming
towards him from Sacbenhausen, 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 parapet from the
bridge into the Main.
The young man followed him quick
~ and laid hold of him.
"Sir," said he, I think you want to
drown yourself"
"What is that to yoa?"
81 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;
30 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: 80 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 to
me to be too young to leave life in this
way; for a 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"
"Yell. 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 a daughter, should work
day and night to maintain him; To al
low this longer | must be a tyrant, a
barbarian"
what sI!'' exclaimed the other,
"you have an only daughter sacrifc-
ing herself for your sake?'
'And with what patience. what sweet
Sness and love, what perseverance! | see
her sinking under her toll and her de
priva,ions, and not word of complaint
escapes her pallid lips. She works and
slarves, and still has word of love for
her father"
'And you commit suicide! Are you
maG?"
"Dare l murder that angel? The
thought pieTces my heart like dagger"
said the old man, sobbing.
''Sir, you must have supper with me;
] see tavern open yonder. Come. you
must tell me your history, and ] will
tell you mine. There is no occasion for
your leap into tie river. l am a rich
man; your daughter viii 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 a table
i'm 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 a
mercantile man; but fortune never
favored me. | had no money myself.
and loved and married q poor girl. |
coald 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 ny domestic happiness was com
plete. My wife, an angel of love, kind
ness and fondness. was good and pious,
active ana aflectiOnate; and my daugh-
ter is u 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 Tor
an old aud useless fellow. | cannot
have much longer 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 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 | shall take the leap from
the Nam bridge alone. But before
leave this world / must see Bertha, for
am an&sous IL look upon one who is
worthy OF the name of human being"
''SIr, what can have made you so I'M
happy at this early age?' said the old
man, moved with compassion.
al am the only son of one of the
richest bankers in Frankfort. My
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 eGdeavored to de-
ceive and defraud me. | was a child
in innocence and confding. My educa-
ton had not been neglected, and pos
sessed my mothers loving heart. My
friends, and 10 whom 7 opened my heart.
betrayed me, and then laughed at
my simplicity; in time l gathered ex-
perierCe, and my heart was filed with
distrust. | was betrotbed to a rich
heiress, possessed of all fashionable &C
complishments; adosed her with en-
thusiasm, and love, | thought, would
rel,,, Ut for every disappointment.
Bat soon saw that she wished to make
me her slave, and yoke all other men
besides TO her triumphal chariot.
broke the engagement and selected a
poor but a charming sirl-a sweet, IN
nOcent being, As | thought, who would
DE my life's own angel Alas | found
her one day bidding adieu with tears
aud kisses TO a youth wnom she loved.
she had accepted me for my wealth
only. My peace of mind vanished
sought diversion in travel. Everywhere
| found the same hollowness, the same
t-eaehery, the same misery. 10 short,
became disguised with Il land resolved
to nut an end this night to the pitlable
farce"
Unfortunate young man, said the
other, with tears Of sympathy, pity
you. / confess I have been more for
tunate than you. / possessed a wife
and daughter, who came forth pure and
Immaculate from the hand of the Gre
at0r. The one has returned to HIM n
the whiteness Of her soul, and so VII
the other"
@(4ive me v01r address old man and