Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-05-24
THE MASON AND HIS SON.

fort, Catharica, when the French army
occupied that town. The thunder had
much injured the point Of the very high
sieePIe Of the principal church, aud ma
son and his son were employed 10 repair
it. crowd Of inhabitants assembled at
the place TO witness the pcrlous operation.
The father, man of fifty years of age,
all vigorous and active assembled first;
s'bis son followed him, they had almost
reached the summit; the spectators seem
ing tremblingy counted their steps, when
they saw the son suddenly lose hold Of the
ladder aud fall TO the ground. a cry Of
terror arose. All crowded towards the
unfortunate man who lay shattered upon
the pavement wlthodt sign Of life. In
the mean time the father ccntiaued 10 as
cend performing his task, descended with
sang old, and appeared with melan-
choly but composed air before the spccla-
tors, who Immediately surrounded him.
All endeavored 10 console him; bat they
soon learned with horror that the fall Of
his son was not accidental, for that he
himself had precipilaed him from the top
Of the stccplc. " Heavens" exclaimed
they, "ls it possible. What fury, what
madness ~ "L;sen to me-" replied the
father without emotion.
In our trade there arc certain rules
and customs. The Oldest and most expe
rienced ventures into danger the first, the
younger follows. According as one ladder
is secured by cords another is raised.
which IS at first fastened at the bottom to
the top part OF the other. Then the eldest
ascends this ladder which is only steadicd
at the bottom, and assisted by his compan-
ion, who supplies him with cords, he pro-
proceeds TO lasen il at the top. This is
The work of great st danger. As was
occupied at the highest extremity Of the
ladder, | suddenly heard my son exclam,
just below me, " Father, father, there's
cloud before my eyes; know not where
am" | instantly raised my right foot and
gave him kick, which struck him in the
forehead, and he fell without uuering a
word"
" Infamous wretch monster what de-
mon could have urged you to such a
crimcW
"Soltly, gentleman; am assuredy to
be pltcd, much TO be ptied; bat | am far
from believing myself guilty. In our
trade it is we'll known that if the head
turns giddy in dangerous position, where
there is no means OF assisting ones self,
and OF taking time to recover, that man is
irrctricvaby lost. Now such was the
case Of my son.
"From the moment that his sight was
gone, there was no hope for him; in two
or three seconds more he must certainly
hnU fat lint h.I ibat Ii;
last agonlcs, he would undoubtedly have
graspcd at the lettering ladder on which
was placed; he would have dragged it away
and we should have both fallen. In an in
slant forcsaw this inevitable result, and
prevented it by dealing him the blow
which precipltated him, and which, saved
me as you see. Now tell me, you who
call me monster, il it had killed myself
at the same time, who would have support
cd his unfortunate wife and children, who
hencclorwurd have nothing to look for but
my lab0rs ! To die for him would per-
haps have been the duty of a father, but
TO die along with him without any utility,
is, believe, what neither religion or JUS
tice requires"
During few moments profound silence
reigncd throughout the assembled crowd;
but the ciamors recommended, the mason
was arrested, and delivered over to the
tribunals. He there displayed the same
firmncss he had shown before the people.
the Judges like the multitude could not
resist Il list impulse Of horror; but, upon
rejecting on the situation in which he was
placed, and the motive he had designed
for his conduct, they acknowledged his
reason, however horriic, was JUST and
exhibited a presence of mind to which,
though with shudderng, they could not re-
fuse their admiration.
AN AMERICANiN IND,A.---We published
IN nrncle Il few dnvs sincn nndnr this