The Portland daily press., 1879-12-01
Main Bridge.

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 pavements,. when young
man approached the bridge from the town
with hasty strides. At the same time an
other man. advanced in years, was coming
toward him from Sachenhausen. the we'll
known suburb on the opposite side of the
river The two had not yet met, when the
latter turned from his path and 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, ~ think you want to
drown yourself"
'sWhat is that to you?'
81 was only going to ask you to do me the
favor To walt d lew 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 journey with per-
feet stranger, who has CHANGED to come or
the same purpose, is really rather terest-
ing. For many years have not made re-
quest of any human being; do not refuse
Inc this one, which must be my last"
The young man held out his hand. His
companion took it. He continued, with Ell
thusiasm: $50 be it; arm in arm. l do not
dSk W IO yOu diC, esOON VI b6Ni~NOulC, iSt ~,
DROWN
The elder of the two, who had at first
been in so great hurry 10 end his existence
now restrained the mpetuosityo of the young
er.
''Stop, sir,'' said he, while his weary eyes
tried to examine the features of his compaI-
ion. You seem to me to be too young to
leave life in this way; for man Of your
years life must still have bright prospects,
IL o+ef IT,, CT Of
ness and decay, vice and corruption! Come
let us end itW
''And so young. Let me go alone, and dc
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 Them"
''Well, if life presents itself to you in hues
so bright, am surprised you should wish to
leave it.''
ooh. l am only poor, sickly old 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 a tyrant, a barbarian"
s'Wkat sirn' said the other, ''you have an
only daughter sacrificing herself for your
sake?''
''And with what patience what sweetness
and love- what perseverance,! | see her
sinking under her toll and her deprivations,
and not word of complaint escapes her
pallid lips. She works and starves, and still
has word of love for her father"
''Dare murder that angel? The thought
pierces 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 you to leap into the
rivQr I oIl q rich lanObfpr 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
eacn examining curiously the features of the
other.
refreshed by the Yiands, the old man be-
gan thus:
my history is soon told. l was mer
camille man; but fortune never favored me-
had no money myself, and loved and mar
ried poor girl. could never begin bust
ness on my own account. | took situation
as booh-keeper, which held until i became
useless from age, and younger men were
preferred to me. Thus my circumstances
were always circumscribed, but my domes-
tic happiness was complete. My wife, an
angel of love, kindness and fondness was
good and pious, active and affectionate; and
my daughter is a true image OF
her 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 for an
old useless fellow. l cannot have much
longer to live, and l hope the Lord will par
don me for cutting Off few days or weeks
from my life, in order to preserve that of
dear Bertha"
''You are fortunate, my friend" ex-
claimed the young man. What you call
misfortune is sheer nonsense, and can be
cured Tomorrow | shall make my will.
aud you shall be the he'll Of my possessions,
and tomorrow night | shall take the leap
from the Main bridge alone. But before |
leave this world must see Bertha, for am
anxious to look upon one who is worthy OF
the name OF human being"
''Sir, what can have happened to make
you so unhappy at this early age?' said the
old man, moved to compassion.
II 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 endeavored
to deceive and defraud me. Twas child in
innocence and confiding. My education
had not been neglected, and / possessed my
mothers loving heart. My friends, to
whom opened my heart, betrayed me, and
then laughed at my simplicity; in time
gathered experience, and my heart was
filled with distrust. | was betrothed to a
rich heiress. possessed of all fashionable ac-
complshments; | adored her with enthusi-
asnl, and her love, | thought, wonld repay
me for every disappointment. But | soon
saw she wished to make me her slave, and
yoke all other men besides to her triumphal
chariot. l broke the engagement, and Sc
lected poor, but charming girl-a sweet,
innocent being as | thought, who would be
my lffe's own angel Alas! found her one
day bidding adeu with tears and kisses to a
youth whom she loved. She had accepted
vanished. | sought diversion in travel.
Everywhere / found the same hollowness,
the same treachery, the same misery. In
short, / became disguised with life, and re-
solved to put an end this night to the pitiable
farce"
unfortunate young man." said the other,
with tears Of sympathy, Il pity you. con-
fess have been more fortunate than you.
possessed wife and daughter, who came
forth pure and Immaculate from the hand OF
the Creator The one has returned to Him
in the whteness of her soul, and SO will the
other"
"Give me your address, old man, and per.
nit me to visit your daughter tomorrow.
Also give me your word OF honor that you
will not INFORM her or lnslnuate ID any man
ner that 1 am rich man." The old man
held out his hand.
Il give you my word am anxious ia
convince you that l have spoken the truth
My name is William Schmidt, and there Is
my address," giving him at the same time a
bit of paper which he drew fir IN his pocket.
'And my name is Karl Trait. | am the
son of Anton TRAIT. Take these bank notes,
but only on condition that you do not leave
this house until l fetch you from it. Wal
ter. bedroom for this gentleman. You
require rest, Herr Schmidt. Good night
Tomorrow you will see me again"
In nne of the NARROW and ill-lighted streets