The weekly ledger., 1857-04-25
ADVENTURES OF AN ORPHAN.

Toward the latter part of the summer of
lS4O, lad of prepossessing appearance enter
ed the beautiful town of O.. situated at
the foot of Seneca Lake, near the centre of
the State of New York. He had Travelled
from the western part of Ohio. where his
father, widower, had died from one of those
malignant fevers SO common in newly settled
countries, while overseeing the cultivation of
large tract of land, in order to regain for
tune lost during the disastrous speculations
of 1884
Being an only son, and left among stran-
gers after the death of his father, Geo Went
worth 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 several
towns and villages on his route without meet
ing anything to attract his attention, till rea-
ching @.
This fine town, with its lovely lake and
beautiful scenery struck his fancy, and SO he
determined to obtain employment if possible,
and make it his future home.
While walking along the principal street
Of the place-a shady avenue overlooking the
lake on which are located several fine church
es and other public buildings-he saw large
crowd assembled around a newly-crected lib
erty pole, in front of one of the principal ho-
tells. On approaching the spot he found that
it was political meeting, held for the pur-
pose Of raising pole and making party
speeches.
Our hero forced his way into the crowd
just as they were raising the stars and
tL. g G..
ddates, to the top of the flagstaff. The
flag had scarcely reached half way, the en-
thusiasm being at its height, when the cord
twisted and caught in the little hole 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 little in the rear of
the main body, began to jeer and joke about
the apparently bad omen, to the evident dis
conjecture of their opponents.
At length Judge s., editor and publisher
of the c. Journal, then candidate for
Congress, offered fifty dollars to any one who
would climb the pole and draw the cord thro'
the wheel.
The utmost silence reigned for several min
utes, but no one advanced to make the daring
trial
"Who will volunteer~ shouted the Judge,
strongly excited, as peal of laughter went
up from the opposition.
The chuckle had scarcely died away, how
ever, before George, with his cap and shoes
of, stepped before the Judge, and, with a
confident look, exclaimed
81, sir, will do itl'
"You, my lad? You are not 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
encouraging pat upon the shoulder
Steadily, hand over hand, his feet clutching
the pole in manner that proved him to be
an expert climber, George made his way to
the top of the staff, which was so slender
that it swayed to and fro with his weight.
Nothing daunted, he wound his legs in and
around the pole, and with his right hand un-
twisted the cord Shouting fearlessly to
those below to hoist away, he clung on till
the flag fairly reached the top, and then
slowly descended.