Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-06-12
THE ORPHAN BOY.

towards the iatieF part OF the summer OF
1910, lad OF prepossessing appearance enter
ed the beautiful town of G., situated at the
foot of Senaca Lake, near the centre of the
State. 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 over
seeing the cultivation of large tract of land =,
in order to regain fortune lost during the
disastrous specuations of 1886.
Being an only and left among strangers,
after the death OF his father, George Went
worth resolved to leave Ohio and remove TO
the State of New Y York, for the purpose of try
ing his fortune 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 love-
ly lake aud pleasant scenery, struck his fancy,
so he determined to obtain employment, if
possible, and make it his future home.
While walking along the principle street of
the shady avenue overlooking the lake, and on
which were located several fine churches and
other public buildings, he a large crowd
Of people assembled around a newly erected
liberty pole, IN front OF one OF the principal
hotels. On approaching the spot he found
iha; it was a political meeting held for the
;urpose 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 names OF their favOrite candidates, to
the top of the flag staff. The flag had scarce
Iy reached half way, the enthusiasm being at
its height, when the cord twisted and caught
in the little wheel at the top. They pulled
aud tried every way, but were unable to raise
lower the flag single inch. The excite
ment and cheering ceased, and all eyes were
turned to the half masted flag. A portion of
The opposition party who were grouped lit
10, in fla of in IpA tn ianr
and joke about the apparently bad omen, to
the evident discontinue of their opponents.
Al length Judge s., editor and publisher
fthc G. Journal, then candidate for Con-
gress, offered fifty dollars to any person who
would climb the staff and draw the cord
through the wheel. The utmost silence reign
cd Tor several minutes, but no one advanced
10 make the daring trial.
"Will nobody volunteer 20 shouted the
Judge, strongly excited, as peal of laughter
sent up from the ranks of the opposition.
The chuckle had scarcely died away, how
ever, before George, with his cap and shoes
OF, stepped before the Judge, and, with con-
fdent look, exclaimed: ssYes sir; I'll climb
itY'
'sYou. my lad are you strong enough ?''
"Oh, yes, sir | am used TO climbing.''
s'Then go ahead, my little Spartan said
the Judge, at the same time giving him an en-
couraging pat on the shoulder.
Steady, hand over hand his feet clutching
tie pole III a 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
1t waved to and fro with his weight. Nothing
daunted he wound his legs right and left "a
round the pole, and with his right hand un-
twisted the cord. Shouting fearlessly to those
below 10 hoist away, he clung on till the flag
i4irly reached the top, and then slowly de-
cended.
Ia cba hot fba ~
FiGc-every body, opposition and all, joined in
with one universal shout.
After the excitement had somewhat subsi-
Ged, Judge s. looked upon the boy with ad-
miration, and took out his pocket book to pay
ihe promised reward.
George noticed the action, and exclaimed,
"heep your money, sir, 1 don't want any pay
'oF helping TO raise the American Flag.
"Noby said, my little man: what is your
name ~ inquired the Judge.
George Wentworth, sir, | am an orphan,
a,u nave just arrived here in search of en-
p"!ment," replied our hero, his bright eyes
shSIenlng with tear.
wei You shall live with me-" exclaimed
future"
Five Years passed from the time George
ch'"orth became member of his benefac-
iaihlIy. Ia the meantime Judge s.
s - oeeh defeated by his political opponent,
"eofge had been initiated into the myste-
.les OF the cart of Arts.'' He had become a
senetal favorite with the citizens, and was
jJvVnea :, ,n upon as the adopted son of the Judge.
was even whispered in private circles that
D., vas 10 be the envied husband of the beauti-
.t,s ana accomplished Ida, the Judges only
III 5.,'i' But this, George had never dared to
an OF, It's true he never felt SO happy as
ni rnen IN her presence, and it did make his
fro,0 f.es .t witch to see the foppish students
MI NJ. he college swarm around the idol of his
ST. foor youth had he known the real
sin~o', o ldaS feelings, the thought would have
in,o-s turned his brain and could he have
hs, hpfeted the gleam OF joy that dashed from
ms.. eyes whenever he uttered noble senti-
xaIt OF sally of wit, it would have filed his
WITH ecstacy and delight