Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-10-10
ADVENTURES OF AN ORPHAN BOY
a Tale of Love and Politics.
EY YOUNG

EY YOUNG.
Towards the latter part Of the summer
of 1910, lad Of prcposscssing appear.
ance entered a beautiful town Of c.,
situated at the foot Of Seneca Lake, near
the centre Of New York. He had travel
ed from the Western part Of Ohio, where
his father widower, had died from one
of those malignant fcvers SO common in
nowl y settled countries, while overseeing
the cultivation Of large tract Of land, in
order to regain a fortune lost during the
disastrous speculations of 1886.
Being an only son, and left among
strangers, after the death of his father,
George Wentworth resolved to leave
Ohio and remove to the State of New
York, for the purpose of trying his fortune
in any manner that chance might offer.-
He had passed through the several towns
and villages on his route, without meets
anything to attract his attention, till reach
ing C. This fine town, with its
lovely lake and pleasant scenery, struck
his fancy, so he determined to obtain en-
ployment. if possible, and make it his fu-
ture home.
While walking along the principal street
Of the placc-a shady avenue overlooking
the lake, and on which were located Sc
vcral churches and other fine buildings
he saw large crowd of people assem>
blcd 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 pur>
pose Of raising the pole and making par.
ty speeches.
Our hero forced his way into the crowd
just as they were raising the Stars and
Stripes" with the name of the favorite
candidates, to the top of the flagstaff -
The flag had scarcely reached half way,
the enthusiasm being at its 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 excite
ment and cheering ceased, and all eyes
were raised 10 the half-mastcd flag. "A
portion Of the opposition party, who were
grouped little iii the rear of the main
body, began to jeer and joke about the
apparently bad omen, to the evident dis
comtiture of their opponents.
At length Judge S., editor and
publisher Of the g. journal, then a
candidate for Congress, offered fifty dol
lars 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 volunteer ?" shouted the
Judge, strongly excited, as a peal of
laughter went up from the ranks of the
opposition.
The chuckle had scarcely died away,
however, before George, with his cap and
shoes off, stepped before the Judge, and
with confident look exclaimed
Yes, sir I'll climb it !''
"You my lad: are you strong enough?"
Oh yes, sir: 1 am used to climbing. "
Then go ahead, my little Spartan, ;"
said the Judge, at the same time giving
him an encouraging pat on the shoulder.
Steadily, hand over hand, his feet
clutching the pole in manner that pro-
we'd 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 right hand untwisted the
cord. Shouting fearlessly to those below