The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1858-05-15

corpse.
A shout of horror and indignation
arose among the crowd. The child had
not fallen by accident. Hc had been
thrown down designcdly. He had been
murdered. " Down with him ~ "kill
the ntantcidc - "Tear him to pieces
Such were the cries raised by crowd
which was now rapidly increasing. Arend
could not but hear the shouts, the exc
crations that were uttered, the curses
that were heapcd upon his head for
though the great height at which he was
suspended did not permit him to dstin-
gush the words, a furtivc glance behind
him had been sufficient to inform him of
the fate Of his child had he not forescen
it, and of that which was awaiting him
wien he should alight. Until then,
however, he had nothing to arprehend,
as no violence could reach him where he
stood for no one could reach him where
scarcel " a bullet would reach. He was
seen quietly and steadily proceeding
with his work, and when his task was
completed to descend upon the roof. No
sooner had he reached this, than the
same shouts and execrations and threats
were renewed with redoubled force. y
mob was about to enter the church
and ascend the roof, thrcatning to throw
him from it into the street. Perceiving
their intention, he requested the multi
tude to listen to him a few moments.
Having secured silence, he stated his
readiness to surrender himself to the
authorities, and requested that strong
police force should be summoned to take
charge Of him, and protect him from
violence. His wish had been anticipa-
ted. A posse of police had been waiting
for him, and on his descent from the roof
he was taken into custody and conveyed
to prison.
Contrary to the custom of those days,
when persons were left to linser in pris-
on for weeks and months before the
charges against them were investigated,
Arend kirshner was conducted to the
courthouse, and accused of the wilful
murder Of hia son. Numerous witnesses
testified to the fact of his having repeat
eddy kicked his son, who stood below
him on the ladder, with his foot on the
head that the child was thus compelled
to let go his hold of the ladder, and was
seen falling down upon the roof, and
from the roof upon the pavement that
the accused, after having committed
this act, looked round only once, and
but for moment, and then proceeded
with his work as ifnothing had happened
Having been asked by the magistrate
what he had to say in answer to the
charge, he spoke as follows:
" 1t is we'll known to you sir, and
every one who hears me is aware of the
fact, that the occupation which | pursue
is attended with great danger of life and
limb. My boy had assembled the ladder
behind me for the first time. Before he
assembled, | told him, that provided he
held fast to the ladder, and looked up,
he need not apprchend any danger, for
the only danger that could threaten him
was dizziness. | likewise told him that
the least mis-step, the least motion of
the ladder might make him lose his bal
ance, and that should he fall, nothing
could save his life.
"The distance from the street to the
top Of the steeplc is very great, and an
object at that distance is seen so indis-
tinct!y, that not one of the witnesses
would be justified in declaring on oath,
that ! struck the boy with my foot
But even were to admit this, | could
plead accident / shall not put in this
plea: admit that l struck my poor boy
on the head with my foot did so re-
pcatcdly, l did it intentionally I did it
in order that he might fall from the lad
der; and lastly, did all this, knowing
that he would be killed. l did de-
privc my son of life, | did so Intentionally,
but l did it to save my own life.
"The boy did follow me up the ladder;
and for a time all went on well. | asked
him whether he kept his eyes fixed upon
the top Of the steeple, or was watching
my proceedings, and he told me he did.
After while, he said that he could see
a large number of persons standing in
the market place. l shuddered when
| heard him say so, and again command
ed him to look upwards. What had
dreaded, came to pass.
g l am giddy" he exclaimed.
"Hold fast, and look up, for Gods
sake !"
"My head swims, am afraid l shall
fall was his answer.
" Now | felt he was lost. But as he
said this, he begged me help him. How
could felt bis hand attempting to
grasp one of my feet. Had he done so,
| must have fallen. I kicked him on
the head as the only means to prevent
myself from falling with him, for | could
not protected Or saved him even at the
sacrifice of my own life. Had I been
able to do so l would have done it cheer
fully, but it was impossible. Had l fall
len, my wife would have become a wild
dow, my nine children orphans. I was
bound to preserve my life for the sake
of my family, and sacrsfce one of my
children, to save my own life, and my
wife and family from poverty. fl de-
serve punishment productive of suffer-
ing, that can only end with my exist
ence. If, in addition to this, l have in
Cured the penalty of the law, let the
law have its course. l did my duty, do
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