The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-02-26

Bright prospects, in the midst o.
Iottenness and decay, vice and corrup.
uon! Come, let us end it,"
"And so young! Let me 90 alone. and
40 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 50 bright, ! am surprised you should
wish to leave it,
"Oh, am only 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 must be tyrant, barbarian. .
''What, STRIP exclaimed the other, "you
have an only daughter sacrificing herself
for your sake!''
And with what patience, what sweet
ness, whas love, what perseverance, 7
see her sinking under her toll and her
deprivatlons, and not a word of complaint
escapes from her pallid lips. She works
and starves, and still has a word of love
for her father" wv
made" 'o '0'
'Dare 1 murder that angelo The thought
Pierces my heart like dagger" said Che
old man, sobbing.
"Sir, you must have supper with me; I
see tavern open yonder. Come. Won
must tell me your history, and will tell
you mine. There is no occasion for Won
to leap into the river. am rich man:
your daughter will no longer have ia
work, and you 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
In the tavern, with refreshments before
them, and each examining curiouslv 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 favor
ed me. L had no money myself, and I
loved and married poor girl. I could
never begin business on nv own account.
l TOOK situation as book-keeper, which
l held until 1 became useless from age:
and younger men were preferred to me.
Thus my circumstances were always cir
cumscribed, but my domestic happiness
was complete. NJ wife an angel OF love.
kindness and fendness, was good and
plous, active and affectionate; and nv
daughter is the true image of her mother.
But age ana 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 for an old
useless fellow. Icannot have much long
er 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 fortunate man, nv friend. {"
exclaimed the young man; 'what YOU
call misfortune is sheer nonsense. and
can be cured. Tomorrow will make
my will, and you shall be the heir OF all
my possessions, and Tomorrow night I
will take the leap from the Main Bridge
alone. But before 1 leave the world. I
must see Bertha, for I am anxious to
look upon one who is worthy the name of
human being.''
"Sir, what can have made you so un-
happy at this early age?' said the old
man, moved with compassion.
~ am the only son of one of the rich
est bankers of Frankfort. NY father
died tive years ago, and left me the heir
OF an immense fortune. From that mo-
ment, every one that has come in contact
with me has endeavored to deceive and
detraud me. I was child in innocence,
trusting and confding. My education had
not been neglected, and I possessed nv
mothers loving, heart. My friends OF rath-
er the villains whom I mistook for friends.
and to whom opened my heart, betrayed
me, and then laughed at my simplicity;
IN time l gathered experience, and nv
heart was filled with distrust. I was be.
trothed to rich heiress, possessed of all
fashionable accomplishments; 1 adored
her with enthusiasm; her love thought
would repay me for every disappoint-
ment. But soon saw that she wished
to make me her slave, and yoke all other
men besides to her triumphal chariot, I
broke off the engagement, and selected
poor but charming girl--a sweet innocent
being, as thought, would be nv life's
own angel. Alas! I found her one day
bidding adieu with tears and kisses to a
youth whom she loved; she had &C
cepted me for my wealth only. Ny peace
of mind vanished, I sought diversion in
travel. Every where found the same
hollowness, the same treachery, the same
misery. In short I became disguised
with life, and resolved to put an end this
night to the pitiable tarce.''
unfortunate young man." SAID the
other with tears of sympathy, II pity you.
I confess I have been more fortunate than
you. I possessed a wife and daughter,
who came forth pure and Immaculate
from the hand of the Creator. The one
has returned to Him in the whiteness of
her soul, and so will the other.
"Give me your address, old man, and
permit me to visit your daughter to-mor-
row. Also give me your word of honor
that you will not inform her or insinuate
in any manner that L am a rich man."
The old man held out his hand.
II give you my word. I am anxious
to convince you that I have spoken the
truth. NV name is Wilhelm Schmidt,
and here is my address, giving him at
the same time, a bit of paper which he
drew from his pocket.
"And my name is Karl Trait. am