Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-02-17
MISCELLANY Y.
From the New YoSk Dutchman.
Adventures Of an Orphan Boy.
A Tale of Love and Politics.
BY YOUNG.


BY YOUNG.
towards the latter part of the summer Of
le4O, lad Of prepossessng appearance enter
&c the beautiful town of G.. situated al
the foot of the Seneca Lake, near the centre OF
this State. He had travelled from the western
ParI Of Ohio, where his father, a widower, had
died from one Of those malignant fevers so CON-
mon in newly settled countries, while oversee
ing the cultivation of large tract of land, in
order to regain fortune lost during the disas-
trous speculations of 1885,
Being an only son, and left among strangers,
after the death Of his father, George Went
worth resolved to leave Ohio and remove to
the State Of New York, for the purpose of try
ing his fortunes in any manner that chance
might offer. He had passed through the sew
eral towns and villages on his route, without
meeting anything to attract his attention, till
reaching c.. This fine town, with its
lovely lake and pleasant scenery, struck his
fancy, so he therefore determined to seek en-
/
! home.
While walking along the principal street
of the place-a shady avenue overlooking the
lake, on which are located several churches
and other public buidings-he saw large
crowd of people assembling around newly
erected liberty pole, in front Of one of the
principal hotels. On approaching the spot he
found that it was political meeting held for
the purpose of raising the pole and making
party speeches.
Our hero forced his way into the crowd just
as they were raising the " Stars and Stripes,'
with the name Of their favorite candidates, to
the top of the flag staff The flag had scarcely
reached half way, the enthusiasm being at It's
height, when the cord twisted and caught in
the little wheel at the top. They pulled and
tried every way, but were unable to raise or
lower the flag single inch. The excitement
and cheering ceased, and all eyes were raised
to the half-masted flag. A portion Of the
opposition party, who were grouped together
a little in the rear Of the main body, began
to jeer and joke about the apparently bad omen,
to the evident discontinue of their oppo-
nents.
At length Judge S., editor and pub
Usher of the c. Journal, then a candidate
for congress, offered fifty dollars to any person
who would climb the staff and draw the cord
through the wheel. The utmost silence reigned
for several minutes, but no one advanced to
make the daring trial.
will nobody volnnteerp shouted the Judge,
strongly excited as peal Of laughter went up
from the ranks of the opposition.
The chuckle had scarcely died away howev-
er, before George, with his cap and shoes off,
stepped before the Judge, and with a confident
look exclaimed
Yes, sir; I'll climb it!
You, my lad, are you strong enough!'
'Oh, yes, sir; I'm used to climbing
Then go ahead, my little Spartan, said the
Judge, at the same time giving him an encour-
aging pat on the shoulder.
Steadily, hand over hand, his feet clmching
the pole in manner that proved him TO be an
expert climber, George made his way to the
very top Of the staff, which was SO slender that
it swayed to and fro with his weight. Moth
ing daunted, he wound his legs right and left
around the pole, and with his right hand he
twisted the cord Shouting fearlessiy to those
below 10 hoist away, he clung on till the flag
fairly reached the top, and then slowly des-
cended.
The cheers that now rent the air were ter
rific-everybody, opposition and all, joining in
with one universal shout.
After the excitement had somewhat subsid-
ed, Judge S. looked upon the boy with
admiration, and took out his pocket book 10 pay
the promised reward.
George noticed the action, and exclaimed
Keep your money, sir; want no pay for
helping to raise the American Flag
Nobly said, my little man what is your
name.' inquired the Judge.
George Wentworth, sir; am an orphan
and have just arrived here in search Of employ
ment,' replied our hero, his bright eyes glis-
tening with lear.
well, you shall live with me, exclaimed
the Judge, 'l'll take care of you for the fu-
ture.
Five years passed from the time George
Wentworth became member of his 5enefac-
tors family. In the meantime Judge S. had
been defeated by his political opponent, and
George had been initiated into the mysteries
of the art of Arts He had become gen.
eral favorite with the citizens, and was looked
upon as an adopted son Of the Judge. 1t was
even whispered in private circles that he was
| to be the envied husband of the beautiful aud
accomplished Ida, tina Judges only child. But
this George had not dared to dream of; It's
true he never felt SO happy as when in her
presence, and it did make his muscles twitch
to see the foppish students from the college,
swarm around the acknowledged idol Of his
heart. Poor youth had he known the real
state of Ida's feelings, the thought have almost
turned his brain; and could he have interpret
ed the CLEAN Of joy that flashed from her eyes
whenever he uttered noble sentiment or sally
of wit, it would have filled his soul with extacy