The Osceola times., 1883-01-20
THE MAIN BRIDGE.

y
from the town with hasty strides At the
same time another man, advanced in
years, was coming toward him from Sach-
senhausen, the well known suburb on
the opposite side of the river. The two
men had not yet met, when the latter
turned from his path and went toward
the parapet from the bridge into the
Maine.
The young man followed him quickly
and laid hold of him.
"sir," said he, 81 think you want TO
drown yourself"
"What is that to you? ?"
81 was going to ask you to do me the
favor to wait a few minutesanda allow me
to join You. Let us draw close TO each
other and, arm TO arm, take the leap to-
gether. The idea of making the journey
with a perfect stranger, who had chanced
to come for the same purpose, is really
interesting. For many years | have not
made q request of any human being; do
not refuse me this one, which must be
the last"
The young man held out his hand. His
companion took it. He continued, with
enthusiasts:
$50 be it; arm in arm. do not ask you
who you are, good or bad-come, let us
drewn."
The elder of the two, who had at first
been in such hurry to end his existence,
now restrained the impctuosity of the
younger.
"Siop, sir" said he, while his weary
ewes tried to examine the features of his
companion. "stop, sir. You seem 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 rot
tenncss and decay, vice and corruption
Come, let MS end it,"
"And so young! Let me 90 alone and
do you remain here. Believe me, there
are many honest pcsple who could render
life charming TO you. Seek them and you
are sure To find them"
"Well, if life present itself to you in
hues so bright am surprised that you
wish to leave it,"
ooh, am only poor, sickly man, un-
able to earn anything, who can endure no
longer that his only child, an angel of a
daughter, should work day and night to
maintain him. To cndurs this longer
must be tyrant, a barbarian"
"What, sir" exclaimed the other "you
have an only daughter sacrificing herself
for your sake?'
"And with what patience, what sweet
ness and what love, what perseverance
| see her sinking under her toll and her
privations, and not werd of complaint
ever escapes her pallid lips. She works
and starves, and still has word of love
for her father"
"And you commit suicide? Are you
mad?"
"Dare murder an angelo The thought
pierced 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 river. l am rich man
your daughter will no longer have to
work, and shall not starye."
The old man allowed himself to be
dragged along by his companion. In a
few minutes they were seated at table
in the tavern, with refreshments before
them, and each examining the features OF
the other.
Refreshed by viands, the old man be-
gan thus:
"My history is soon told. | was a mer-
camille man, but fortune never favored
me. had no money myself, and loved
and married n poor girl. | could neverbe-
gin business on my own account. | took
a situation as book-keeper, which | held
| ultll L bfAdiilt irNltNH iipii t-t, anu
younger men were preferred to me. Thus
my circumstances were always circum-
scribed, but my domestic happiness was
complete. My wife, an angel of love,
kindness and fondness, was good and
pious, active and atiectionate; and my
daughter is 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 chllt,
in the world sacrificing her life for an old
and useless man. cannot have much
lenger to live, and hope the Lord will
pardon me for cutting off few DAYS or
weeks from my life in order to preserve
that ofmy dear Bertha"
"You are fortunate man, my friend"
exclaimed the young man. "What you
call misfortune is sheer nonsense, and
can be cured. Tomorrow shall make
my will, and you shall be the heir to my
possessions, and tomorrow night | shall
take the leap from the Main bridge alone.
But before | leave this world | must sec
Bertha, for am anxious TO look upon one
who is worthy ofthe name human being"
"Sir, what could have made you so UNI
happy at this early age?" said the old man
moved with compassion.
81 am the only son Of the richest man
in Frankfort. My father died five years
ago and left me heir to an immense for