Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1857-03-26
Adventures Of an Orphan.

ance entered the beautiful town O
Geneva, situated at the foot Of tn
Seneca Lake, near the centre Of tn
} State Of New York. He bad trav
eled from the western part Of Ohio
where his father, widower, had die,
from one Of those malignant fe
yers so common in newly settled
countries while overseeing the cult
vation Of a large tract Of land, il
order to regain a fortune lost during
the disastrous speculations of 1884
Being an only son and left amons
strangers, after the death of bis faith
er, George Wentworth, resolved te
leave Ohioand remove to New York
for the purpose Of trying his fortune
in any manner that chance might
offer. He had passed through sew.
eral towns and villages on bis route
without meeting anything to attract
his attention till reaching Geneva
This fine town, with lis lovely lake
and beautiful scenery struck his fan.
cy, and SO he determined to obtain
employment if possible, and make il
bhis future home.
While walking along the principal
street in the place-a shady avenue
overlooking the lake on which are
located several fine churches and 9th.
er buildings--he saw large crowd
assembled around a newly erected
liberty pole, in front of one Of the
principal hotels. On approaching
the spot he found that it was a po-
litical meeting. held for the purpose
Of raising pole and making party
speeches
Our hero forced bis way into the
crowd just as they we're raising the
stars and stripes with the name OF
their favorile candidates, to the top
of the flag staff The flag had
scarcely reached hallway, the enthu-
siasm being at its height, when the
cord twisted and caught in the little
hole at tho top. They pulled and
tried every way, but were unable to
raise or lower the Gag single inch.
TIE excitement aud cheering stop
ped, and all eyes were raised 10 the
half masted tlag. A portion of the
opposition party, who were grouped
together a little in the roarof the
main body, began to jeer and joke
about the apparently bad omen to
the evident discontinue of their op-
ponents.
At length Judge s., editor
and publisher Of the Geneva Journ-
al. then candidate for Congress,
offered $50 to any one who would
climb the pole and draw the cord
through the wheel.
The utmost silence reigned for sew
eral minutes, but no ore advanced to
mike the daring trial. "Who will
vonture?" shouted the Judge, stroug-
ly excited, MS peel of laughter went
up from the opposition.
The chuckle had scarcely died a.
way, however, before George with his
cap and shoes off stepped before The
Judge and with a confident look
exclaimed:
q, sir, will climb it y
You, my lad you are not strong
enough
90 yes, sir; I'm used to climbing
Then goahead, my little Spartan,
said the Jodge, at the same time
giving him an encouraging pat on
the shoulder.
Steadily. hand over hand, his feel
clntching the pole in a manner that
proved him to be an expert climber
George made his way to the top o.
the stafl, which vas so slender tha,
it swayed to and fro with his weight
Nothing daunted, he wound his legs
right and left round the pole, ani
with his right hand untwisted tht
cord. Shouting fearless to those be-
low to hoist away, he clung on til
the flag fairly reached the top, ant
then slowly descended.
The cheers that now rent the al
were terrific; opposition and all join
ed in one universal shout. Afte
the excitement had somewhat subsi
ded, the Judge looked at the DO,
with admiration, and took out hi
pocket book to pay the promised
reward.
George noticed this action, an
exclaimed: "Keepyour money, sil