Year: 1866

MIDNIGHT was past, and the lights of
the vessels lying at anchor in the stream
were beginning to be extinguished when
two men hurried from different directions
to the shore. The elder of the two had
already reached the strand and was pre-
pairing to make leap, the design of
which was not to be mistaken but at that
instant the younger seized him by the
arm and exclaimed :


"Sir, I believe you want to drown
yourself!


You have guessed it. What is that
to YOU"


This was the answer, spoken in an
angry tone.


Nothing I know. I would ssmPly
ask you to wait couple of minutes,
when: if YOU like, we will make the
great Journey cogether Arm in arm
the best way of dying"


With tlrese words the younger extend
ed his hand to the elder whose own was
not withheld The former continued, in a
tone of enthusiasm


So be it, Arm in arm Truly l
did not believe that a humane heart
would beat with mine at this last hour.
will not seek to know who you are-an
honest man or a william. Come, let us
begin our Journey together"


The elder held the young man ba- k
and fixing his dim, half extinguished
eyes upon the countenance Of his com
2anion, exclaimed


Hold /! You seem to young too end
your life by suicide A man of your
years has still brilliant and alluriDg
future within his grasp"


Brilliant answered the young
man scornfully. What have to hope
for in the midst of a world of wicked
ness, falsehood, treachery and unhappi-
ness ? Come, quick u


" You are still young. You must
have had very sorrowful experience to
make life already thus insupportable to
you"


q I despise mankind.


Without exception ?


Without exception }"


Well then, you have now, perhaps,
found a man whom you will not necessa-
rily despise. 1 have believe me, during
nv whole life, lived an honorable man"


F" Really, this is highly interesting
1t is a pity I had not earlier made your
acquaintance"


Leave me to die alone, young man"


Live on Believe me, time heals
over the old wounds, and there are men
of honor yet to be found"


" Now, if you take this view, why are
you hurrying so fast to say adieu to the
world?"


ooh! am sickly old mrn, unable
to make a livelihood a man who cannot,
will not see his only child, his daughter,
blighting her youth and laboring day
and night to support him. No. 1 would
be an unfeeling father, Iwould be barba-
rous, to live on thus"


Glow, sir you have daughter who
does this for you2 asked the young
man surprised.


d" And with what endurance, with
what love does she sacrifice herself for
me She works forme; she goes hungry
for me, and has only the tenderest words
of love-a sweet smile for me always"


And you want to commit suicide ?
Are YOU mad ?" ....


Shall murder my daughter? The
life she is now leading is her certain
death" answered the old man in a dis
pairing voice.


"Good, sir, 90 with me to the nearest
inn that is still open, and let US drink a
bottle of wine together You will relate
to me your history, and, if you like, I
will let you hear mine. So much how
ever will say to you observation-disclosures
all thoughts of self-murder out of your
head. l am rich, and if things be.asyou
saw, from henceforth you and your
daughter shall lead pleasant life"


The old man followed the younger
without opposition. A few minutes later,
over full glasses, the elder began:


"My history is soon told. was a
clerk, but unlucky. As /
.a-....-- $50 -.a t.. -r..-t.