The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-12-12
THE MAIN BRIDGE.

The MAIN bklDGEs
1t was past midnight-the lights on the
stone bridge which crosses the River
Main at Frankfort were still burning,
though the footsteps of passengers had
died away for some time on its pave
ment, 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 Sachenhausen, 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 quickly,
and laid hold of him.
''Sir," said he, 81 think you want to
drown yourself"
"What is that to you %
'I 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
together, and, arm in arm, take the leap
together. The idea of making the Jour
ney with a perfect stranger, who has
chanced to come for the same purpose, is
really rather interesting. For many
years have not made request of 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.
/ do not as you 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 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. "You seem to be too young
to leave life in this way; for man of
your years life must have still bright
prospects"
Bright prospects In the midst of
rottenness and decay, vice and corrup-
ton ! 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 could render life charming to you.
Seek them, and you are sure to find
theu."
s'Well, if life presents itself to you in
hues SO bright, I am surprised you
should wish to leave it.
unable to earn anything, and who can
endure 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 tyrant, bar
barian."
s.What, SIR" said the other, "you have
an only daughter sacrificing herself for
your sake ?"
''And with what patience, what sweet
ness and love, what perseverance I see
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 for
her father
''And you commit suicide Are you
mad ?"
"Dare I murder that angel? The
thought pierces my heart like dagger"
said the old man, sobbing.
Sir, you must have supper with me;
L see tavern open yonder. Come, tell
me your history, and I will tell You
mine. There is no occasion for your
leap into the 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
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 socn told. was mer-
camille man; but fortune never favored
me. I had no money myself, and loved
and married poor girl. / never could
begin business on my own account /
took situation as book-keeper, which I
held until I became useless from age,
and younger men were preferred to me.
Thus my circumstances were always
circumscribed, but my domestic happi-
ness was complete. Ny wife, an angel of
love kindness and fondness, was good
and pious, active and affectionate; and
my daughter is true image of her
mother. But age and illness have brought
me to the last extremity, and my con-
science revolts against the idea of the
best child in the world sacrificing her
life for an old and useless fellow. can
not have much longer to live, and I hope
the Lord will pardon me for cutting off a
few days or weeks from my life in order
to preserve that of my dear Bertha
ssYou 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 tomorrow night I shall
take the leap from the Main bridge alone
But before leave this world I must see
Bertha, for am anxious to look upon
one who is worthy of the name of human
being"
.'Sir, what could have made you so un-
happy at this early age?" said the old
man, moved by compassion.
am the only son of one of the rich
est 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 endeavored to deceive and defraud
me- I was child in innocence and
confding. My education had not been
neglected, and / possessed my mothers
loving beart. My friends, and to whom
opened my heart, betrayed me, and
then laughed at my simplicity; in time
gathered experience, and my heart was
filed with distrust. / was betrothed to