The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-10-24

were preferred 10 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 ture 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 useless fellow:
cannot haye much longer to live and 1
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, my friend ex.
claimed the young man what you call mis-
fortune is sheer nonsense, and can be cured
Tomorrow shall make my will, and Won
shall be the heir of my possessions, and to.
morrow night will take the leap from the
Main bridge alone. But before leave this
world must see Bertha. for I am anxious
to look upon one who is worthy of the name
of human being
Sir what can have made you 80 unhappy
at this early age% cried the old man, moved
with compassion.
y 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 into contact with me has en-
desvored to deceive and defraud me. was
child in innocence, and confding. NV
education had not been neglected, and
possessed my mothers loving heart NY
friend, and to whom opened my heart, be-
.rayed me,and then laughed at my simplici-
ty in time gathered experience and my
heart was filled with dstrust. l was be-
trothed to rich heiress, possessed of all
the fashionable accomplishments adored
her with enth usiasm and love /; l thought it
would repay me for every disappointment.
But soon sew that she wished to make me
her slave, and yoke all other men beside to
her triumphal chariot. l broke off the en-.
gagement and selected poor but charming
girl-a sweet, innocent being, as l thought,
who should be my life's own angel. Alas
l found her .One day bidding adieu with
tears and kisses to youth whom she loved.
She had accepted me for my wealth only.
My peace of mind vanished, sought diver
sion in travel. Everywhere l found the
same hollowness, the same treachery, the
same misery. In short became disgusted
with life, and resolved to put an end this
night to the pitiable farce
Unfortunate young man. said the other,
with tears of sympathy, 4 pity you. 1 con.
fess have been more fortunate than you. /
possessed a wife and daughter, who came
forth pure and immaculate from the hand of
the Creator. The ono 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 insinuate in any
manner that am rich man. The old
man held out his hand -.. .t.
I give you my word. l am anxious to
to convince you that have spoken the truth.
My name is Wilhelm Schmidt, and there is
my address, giving him at the same time a
bit of paper which he drew from his pock-
ct.
And my name is Karl Trait. I am the
son of Anton Trait. Take these bank notes,
but only on condition that you do not leave
this house until fetch you from it. Waiterl
a bedroom for this gentleman. You re-
quire rest, Herr Schmidt. Good night. To.
morrow you will see me again.