The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1880-06-18
The Aal.. Bridge.


footsteps of passengers had died away for |
some time oil its pavement, when young |
man approached the bridge from the town |
with hasty strides. At tle same tune |
another man, advanced In years, was
coming toward him from Saehenhausen. |
the well-known suburb on this opposite !
side of the river. The two bad 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 !
aud laid hold of him.
s'Sir,'' SAID he, II think you want to |
drown YOURSELF
.sWhat is that to you ?''
II was going to ask you to do me the
favor to wait few uinutes and allow me
TO Join you. Let us draw close to each
together. The idea of making the Jour
ney with perfect stranger, who has chanc-
ed to come for the same purpose, is really
rather interesting. For many years have
no: made a request of any human being
do not refuse me this one, which must be
my last.''
The young man held out his ha nd. His
| enthusiasm $50 be 1t ; arm in arm. 1
do not ask who you are, good or bad
come. let us drown.''
The older OF the two, who had at first
been in such hurry to end his exist
ence, now restrained the impetuosity of
the younger.
''Stop. siF,'' said he, while his weary
eyes tried to examiue the features of his
companion. stop. sir. You seem to me
to be too young to leave life in this way
for a man of your years life must have
still bright prospects,"
bright prospects ! In the midst OF
rottenness and decay. vice and corruption
Come, let us end it 20
'sAnd so young Let me 90 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 them"
s'Well, If life presents itself to you IN
hues so bright, / am surprised that you
wish to leave it,
',Oh, am only poor, old sickly man.
unable to earn anything, and who can
endure 10 longer that his only child. an
angel OF daughter, should work day and
night to maintain him. To allow this
longer must be tyrant, a barbarian
''What, sir 80 exclaimed the other. you
have an only daughter sacrificing herself
for your sake ?''
s.And with what patience, what sweet
ness and love. what perseverance see
her sinking under her toll and her depri-
yations. and not a 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 9''
ssDare murder that angel? The
thought pierces my heart like dagger,
said the oid man. sobbin&.
.sSir, You mtust have supper with me ;
see a 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 river. am rich man
your daughter will no longer have te
work, and shall not starye.''
The old man allowed himself to be
dragged along by bis conpa,iion. In few
minutes they were seated at a table in th'
tavern, with refreshments before them, anC
each examining curiously the features o
the other.
Refreshed by viands, the old man begar
thus
'.My history is soon told. I was :
mercantile man but fortune never favor
ed me. had no money myself, and lovet
and married a poor girl. could neve
begin business on my account. l took ;
situation as bookkeeper, which held unit
[ became useless from age, and younge
: men were preferred to me. Thus my cir
cumstances were always circnmscribed
but my domestic happiness was complete
My wife, an angel of love, kindness ant
: fondness, was good and pious. active a,i'
afFectionate and my. daughter tru
image of her mother. But age and Hines
have brought me to the last extremity
and my conscience rey0lts against tn
P idea of the best child in the world sacrific
u ing her life for an old and useless fellow
{ cannot have much longer to live, and
= hope the Lord will pardon me for cutting
: of few days or weeks from my life ii
= order to preserve that of my dear Bertha.
You are fortunate man, my friend.
exclaimed the young man.
"What you call misfortune is shee
nonsense, and can be cured. Tomorrow
!, I shall make my viii, and you shall be tn
: heir TO my possessions, aud tomorrow
. night shall take the leap from the Mai
. bridge alone. But before l leave thi
). world must see Bertha. for / am anxiou
8 to look upon one who is worthy of til
name of a human being.
.sSir, what can have made you SO nm
r happy at this early age ?'' said the oil
n man. moved Will, compassion.
= 81 am the only son Of one Of the riches
d men In Frankfort. Ny father died fiv
n years ago aud lest mo heir to an immens
o fortune. From that moment every on
!. that has come in contract with me ha
L endeayored 70 deceive ana deiras,d me.
I. - aan - = snzae