Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-05-21
The Main Bridge.

IL was past mluulRuC-tuo llBntb on
the stone bridge which crossed the
river Main at Frankfort were still burn
ing, though the footsteps of passengers
had died away for some time on its
pavement, when young man ap.
preached the bridge from the town
with hasty strides. At tho same time
another man, advanced in years, was
coming toward him from Sachenhausen,
the well known suburb on the opposite
size of the river. The two had not yet
net, when the latter turned from his
path and went toward the parapet from
the bridge into the Main.
The young man followed him quick
ly and laid hold of him.
"Sir," said he, 81 think you want
to drown yourself"
"What is that to you ?"
T was going to ask you to do me
the favor to wait few minutes and al
low 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 a perfect stranger,
Who has CHANGED to come for the same
purpose, is really rather interesting.
For many years have not made a re-
quest Of any human being do not re-
fuse 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 yoEno to leave
life in this way ; tor IA an =: our
years life must have still tfIght pros
pects."
bright prospects In the midst of
rottenness and decay, vice and corrup'
ton? Gene, let us end it !"
"And so young! Let me go 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"
"Well, if life presents itself to you
in hues so bright, I am surprised that
you wish to leave it,"
Oh, am only a poor, cid sickly
man, unable to earn anything, and who
can endure no longer that his only
child, an angel of q daughter, should
work day and night to maintain him.
TO allow this longer must be q tyrant.
barbarian"
What, sir !" exclaimed the other,
you have an only daughter sacrificing
herself for your sake q
"And with what patience, what
sweetness and love, what perseverance
l 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 a word
Of love for her father"
And you commit suicide Are you
mad?"
"Dare murder that angel? The
thought pierces my heart like dag
ger" said the old man, sobbing.
"Sir. you must have supper with
me &; I see tavern open yonder. Come,
You must tell me your history, and
will tell you mine. There is no occa.
sion for you to leap into the river.
am rich ran 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 seated at q
table in the tavern, with refreshments
before them, and each examining Gu
riously the features of the other.
Refreshed by viands, the old man
began thus:
My history is soon told. I was a
mercantile man; but fortune never
favored me. l had no money myself,
and loved and married poor girl. 1
could never begin business on my &C.
count. l took a situation as book.
keeper. which I held until I became
useless from age, and younger men
were preferred to me. Thus my cir
eumstances were always circumscribed,