The Osceola times., 1880-02-14
THE MAIN BRIDGE.

died away for some time on its pave
ment, when young man approached
the bridge with hasty strides. At the
same time another man, advanced in
wears, 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 ts your
Il was 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 and, arm in arm, take the
leap together. The idea of making the
Journey with perfect stranger, who has
CHANGED to come for the same purpose,
is really rather interesting. For many
years have not made a 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 ask
who you are, good or bad-come, let us
drown"
The elder of the two, who had at first
been in such hurry to end his exist
ence, 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 man Of your years life must still
have bright prospects"
"Bright prospects, In the midst of
rottennessan decay, vice and corruptionl
Come let us end i'll"
"And so Young! Let me go alone, and
do you remain here. Believe me, there
are many good and honest people who
conld render life charming TO you.
Seek them and you are sure to find
them"
"Well, if life presents itself to you in
hues 50 bright, am surprised that you
wish to leave it,
''Oh, | am only a poor, old sickly man,
unable 10 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, bar
barian."
What, sir!' exclaimed the other, "you
have an only daughter sacrificing herself
tor your sake?"
And with what patience, what sweet
ness and love, what perseverance, / see
her sinking under her toll and her de-
privations, and not word of complaint
escapes her palid lips. She works and
starves, and still has word of love for
her father
"And you commit suicide are you
msd?'
"Darc [ murder that angel? The
thought picrces my heart like dagger"
said the old man, sobbing.
''Sir, you must have supper with me; /
see a tavern open yonder. Come, you
must tell me your history, and l will tell
you mine. There is no occasion for you
to leapinto 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 a
few minutes they were seatad at table
in the tavern, with refreshments before
them, and each examining curiously the
features of the other.
Refreshed by viands, the old man be-
gln thus
my history is soon told. was mer-
camille man; but fortune never favored
me. | had no money myself, and loved
and married poor girl. / could never
begin business on my own account l
took situation as book-keeper, which |
held until | became useless from age,
and younger men were preferred to me.
Thus my circumstances were circum-
scribed. but my domestic happiness was
complete. My wife, an angel of love,
kindness and fondness, was good and
pious. active and afiectiopate; and my
daughter 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 sacra ficing her
life for an old and useless Fellow. / can
not have much longer to live, and hope
the Lord will pardon me for cutting off a
few days or weeks from my lite, in order
to preserve that Of my dear Berthe"
"You are fortunate man, my frend,"
exclaimed the young man. "What you
call misfortune is sheer nonsense, and
can be cured Tomorrow l shall make
my will, and you shall be the heir ofmy
possessions, and tomorrow night l
shall take the leap from he Main bridge
alon. 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 made you 80 .un-
happy at this early age?" said the old
man, moved with compassion.
"I am the only son of one of the rich
est men in Frankfort. My father died
five years ago, and left me heir to an i'm
mense fortune. From that moment
very one that has come in contact with
me has endeayorcd to deceive and de-
fraud me. | was child in innocence,
and confiding. My education had not
been neglected, and i possessed my low
ing mothers heart. My friends, to
whom | opened my heart, betrayed me,
and then laughed at my simplicity; in
time ] gathered experience, sad ex-
perience, and my heart was filed with
distrust. | was betrothed TO a rich heir
css, possessed of all fine accomplish
ments; adored her with enthusiasm
and love, thought, would repay me for
every disappointment. But | soon saw
that she wished to make me her slave,
and yoke all other men besides to her
trumphal chariot. | broke the engage
ment and selected a poor but charming
girl--a sweet, innocent being, as
thought, who would be my life's own
angel. Alas found her one day bid
ding adieu, with tears and kisses, 10 a
youth whom she loved. She had ac-
cepted me for my wealth only. My
peace of mind vanished. I sought di.
version in travel. Everywhere found