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

gagged III 1t, and who were employed by
the city, were very literally paid, and
when rendered unfit to perform their
duties any longer, through weakness or
old age, provided with u pension for life.
These men had the privilege of choosing
their successors, and as II long and care
full training was necessary, they always
selected young boys, who after serving
their apprenticeship, became heir assist
ants, and at last their SUCCESSORS by
right.
Arend Kirshncr was the roofcr of the
city of Prague. IIc had been so for a
number of years, was married, and the
father of Il numerous family. He was
expert at his trade, and being a man of
exemplary morals, he was universally
respected. The largest, or cathedral
church, in that city, called, if | rcmem-
Der rightly, the Thiep-Kircl,c, required
repairs, and .Arend had appointed day
for examining and commencing the work.
The trade being lucrative, such masters
as had sons generally brought them up
to it. This had been the case with
Arend, who had learnt it under Ills faith
cr, who had succeeded his father !;
and thus the appointment had been
kept in the family for upwards of CEN
fury; and it was Arcnd's wish that his
son should succeed him. TO this the
boy (thcn in his fourteenth year, strong
ly Observation-Disclosures Arend had
named the subject, his son had express
ed a decided aversion to the pursuit.
Now, though -Arcnd was an atfectionate
parent, he was a strict one. His word
was law, and on the day on Which he was
about to do the repairs alluded to, he
commanded his son to accompany him.
The boy obcyed, but heart breaking was
this first parting between the mother and
the first born between the brother
and his little sisters. Arend, too, took
a solemn leave of his family, as had
been his wont, aud that of his predeces-
sors, for the danger attending an ascent
up the stccplc was so very great that
that affair was considered a matter of
life and death. Father and son left
their dwelling, the former provided
with he necessary materials, and wend-
ed their way towards the church, carry
ing with them the players of the family,
and the good wishes Of the neighbors
and friends.
You are now going up with me for
the first timc,' said Arcnd to the boy.
You have been told that the ascent
is attended with danger; and YOU
have been told truly But it is in a
great measure in your own power to re-
move the danger. All you have to do is
to beware Of accidents. You will say,
perhaps, that accidents cannot be fore
seen; but l say they can be foresccn.
In fact there is no such thing as an ac-
cidcnt.' If a man slip in the street, or
fall into the river, or from a ladder, or
is run over or loses his purse, he will
tell lis he has met with an accident. He
is mistaken. 1t is entirely his own fault.
He could have guarded against it, and
should have done 50. Had he examined
the condition of his pocket, he would
have discovered hole in it, and would
have saved his purse. Had he looked
at the street as he walked along, and
proceeded carefully, he could not have
slipped. Had he, before crossing the
road, looked toward both ends, he would
have perceived the approaching vehicle ;
or had he patiently waited till it had
passed, he would have crossed in safety.
Had he ascertained that the ladder he
was about to ascend was we'll secured
and planted his feet firmly and carefully
upon the steps, and held fast, he could
not have fallen.-Accident is the mere
apology for want of prccaution, fore
thought, prudence or concentration of
thought. There is no effect without u
cause and if we wish to avoid evil, let
us trace the cause, and remove or avoid
1T.
"Iou are about to follow me up the
ladder you have nothing to fear SO
long as you keep your footing, and take
firm hold. Your first step is to fami-
liaraze yourself with the high elevation,
and you'll gradually acquire confidence.
There is one thing, however,. you must
guard against and that is vertigo or
Siddincss.
"But how can l guard against it !''
asked the boy.
Easily enough. Nierer look down.-
Look constantly upwards. If you look
down you will become dizzy, and if you
Loose your balance, you will fall down.
1t will cost you your nothing can
save you.'
They had now reached the church
they entered it and assembled the roof.
Cautiously and CAREFUL, did Arcnd ex-
examine the preparation that had been
made by his assistant. The ladders
were safe and firm. He assembled, the
boy following him.
Arend had reached the top, and had
began his work. The boy stood close I'M
der him on the ladder. The latter for a
while carefully attended to his father, in
structions. He kept his eyes steadily fixed
upon the top of the stecple or towards
the sky, or on his fathers hands, watch
ing his proceedings.
Two pers ons suspended apparently
from the top of a very high and taper
ing s,eeple, had naturally attracted the
attention of persons in the street, and
crowd of gazers had gradually formed,
that were watching them with interest.