Year: 1879

1t was past midnight-the lights on
the stone bridge which crosses the river
Main at Frankfort were still burning,
though the footsteps of passengers had
died away for sone time On its pavement,
when a young man approached the
bridge from the town with hasty strides.
At the same time another man, advanced
in years, was coming towards him from
Sachsenhausen, the we'll 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
he parapet from the bridge into the
Main.


The young man followed him quickly
and laid hold of him.


"Sir," said be, II think you want to
drown yourself"


What is that to you %


II was only 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-n.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 to 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 '' So be it; arm-inr
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 so great hurry to end his ex~
istence, 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 ip this
way; for man of your years life must
have still bright prospects"


Bright prospects i'm the midst of
rottenness and decay, vice and corrup-
tionl Come, let us end it.''


"And 30 youngl Let me 60 alone,
and do you remain here. Believe me,
there are many good and honest people
who could render life charming for you.
Seek them, and you are sure to find
them"


Well, if life presents itself to you in
hues SO bright, I am surprised you should
wish to leave il"


"Oh, I am only poor old sickly man,
unable to earn anything, and who can
endure 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, barbar-
ian."


"What, sir p exclaimed the other,
"you have an only daughter sacrificing
herself for your sake 2"


sand with what patience, what sweets
ness. and love, what perseverance /
see her sinking under her toll and her
depriva,ions, and not word of com-
plant escapes her pallid lips. She works
and starves, and still has word of love
for her father"


sand you commit suicide Are you
mad ?"


"Dare I murder that angel |? The
thought pierces my heart like a 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 il no occasion for
you to leap into the river. ] am rich
man your daughter viii no longer have
to work, and you shall not starve."


The old man allowed himself to be
dragged along by his companion. In
few minutes they were seated at a table
in the tavern, with refreshments before
them, and each examining curiously the
features of the other.


Refreshed by the viands, the old man
began thus