Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-11-20
M ISCELL A N Y.
The Adventure of an Orphan BOy-A Tale
of Love and Politics.

The Adventure of an Orphan Boy-A Tale
of Love and Politics.
| Towards the latter part of the summer of 40
lad of prepossessing appearance entered the
beautiful town of C., situated at the foot
of Seneca Lake, New York, near the centre o
that State He had travelled from the western
part of Ohio, where his father, a widower, had
| died from one of those malignant fevers SO com
mon in newly settled countries, while overseeing
large tract of land, in order to regain 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 return to the State
| of New York, for the purpose OF trying his for
| time in any manner chance might offer.
| He had passed through several 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 bis fancy. SO he determined to OBJ
| tain employment if possible, and then to make
| it bis future home. a.z
While walking along the principle street oi
the shady avenue overlooking the lake, and on
which were located several fine churches and
| other public buildings, he saw a large crowd oi
people assembled around newly erected liberty
pole in front of one OF the principal hotels. On
his approaching the spot he found that it was a
ing the pole and making several party speeches.
Oar hero forced his way into the crowd just
as they were raising the "Stars and Stripes,
With the names of their candidates, to the top
of the flag staff.
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 un-
able to raise or lower the flag single inch.-
The excitement and cheering ceased, and all
ewes were raised to the half masted flag. A
portion of the opposition party, who were group
ed little in the rear of the main body began to
ieer and joke about the apparently bad omen, to
the evident discontinue of their opponents.
At length, Judge S., ~ =, editor and pub
Usher of tie O. journal, then candidate
for Congress, offered fifty dollars to any person
who would climb the staff and draw the cord
through the wheel. Silence reigned for several
minutes but no one advanced to make the daring
trial. a as
Twill no one volunteer 20 shouted the Judge,
strongly excited, as 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, step
ped before the Judge, and with confident look
exclaimed:
Yes sir, will climb it,
"You, my lad r"
"Yes, sir"
fare you strong enoughs"
"Oh yes, sir"
sand not afraid?"
mo, sir, I'm used to climbing"
"Then go ahead my little SPARTAN" said the
Judge, at the same time giving him an en-
couraging pat ON the shoulder.
Steadily, hand over hand, his feet clutched
the pole in manner that proved bin an ex-
pert climber, George made bis way to the very
top of the staff, which was SO slender that it
swayed to and fro with his light weight
Nothing daunted he wound his legs right and
left around the pole, and with his right hand un-
twisted the cord. Shouting fearleesly to those
below to hoist away, he clung on till the flag
fairly reached the top, and then slowly de-
scended.
rifc-every body, opposition and all, joining in
with one universal shout.
After the excitement had somewhat subsided,
Judge s. looked upon the boy with ad-
miration, and took out his pocket book to pay
the promised reward OF fifty dollars.
George noticed the action, aud exclaimed:
Keep your money, sir; | want no money
for helping to raise the glorious American flag"
"Noby said, my little man what is your
name2'
"George Wentworth, sir. / am an orphan,
and havejus arrived here in search of employ
ment," replied our hero, his eyes glistening with
q tear.
SWELL, you shall live with me-" exclaimed the
Judge; Il will take care of you for the fu-
|ture"
*+ ~
Five years have passed from the time George
Wentworth became member OF his benefac-
tors family. In the meantime Judge s.
had been defeated by his political opponent, and