South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-10-28
\ FWo-poLLAg BILL.


yeaTe: Orphaned and entirely alone
" the world. | had, even at that early
age, sought my fortune in many diff,
lerelt directions.
had served under harsh captain
hlring ? siS-months' voyage in a wha-
Ter. A serious nf accidents happen ed
10 ahridge The cruise, and glad was /,
Tor ! had not been kept at school
long enough 10 yearn for seaiaring
life. and did not relish the cuffs and
blows ] had to take on board that
ship. Per contra, ] vowed never a.
gam to enlist as a sailor, if ! once re-.
gained o firm footing on land.
This page in my young life com.
plated, and the leaf turned, the ensu-
ing chapter mp 10 the age Of eleven
had been filled with list of briefer
and less serious adventures and trials.
had worked among the long.
shoremen few weeks, and been en-.
gagged as GRAND boy by New York
tirm until the cashier succeeded in
procuring my discharge in order that a
yonng nephew of bis might be en-
ployed ~ my stead. ! had apprenti-
eed myself TO o machipist, who had
sub sequently removed to Chicago.
and again left me in the lurch.
But ! liked the trade. and determ.
med to follow him. at the period
with which my story begins. / had,
with great difficulty worked my pas
- &c as far as NJ village on
the banks of the Delaware.
Ny journey had been so tedious. and
the prospect of reaching my former
employer before pc should engage an
other hand seemed SO remote, that I
hardly knew whether TO proceed or not.
II was midsummer, and the valley
in which nestled the pleasant little
village OF NJ formed SO inviting IA
retreat, that | determined TO stay 9
while and euioy its peacefulness be-
fore ! went on.
There were several hotels i'm the
place, for il was favored by sum-
meT visitors from the ncighboring a.
ties, these were all full.
Surely thought |. among so ma
ny people can lind chores enough to
Keep me for week or two
went To all the hotels in scarch of
such employment, but with little sue.
cess. In NJ, "a III every other
pace ever saw. there were plenty of
small boys, and the hotels were pro O..
vlded with regular hands for backing
boots, cleaning knives, running or.
rands, aud So forth.
During the FIRST DAY of my stay
there 1 earned fifteen cents, but this
was by mere chance, and promised
nothing for the future. a gentleman
gave ne ten cents for catching his hat.
which Was blown from his head bv
a gust of wind, and lady dropped
me five cent piece for picking up her
riddipg.wlIip.
Toward evening say many of the
villagers and city visitors tako GER
tain road which led To the river. |
Joined IN the stream OF strolors. thiuk-
7ng that where 80 many persons were
congregating | might meet with an,
other piece Of luck.
Our walk terminated upon bluff
overlooking the Delaware. Benches
were here disposed for the convent
enco Of visitors, AID small rustic
cottage, where ice-cream was sold. az.
;orded accommodation 10 numerous
patrons.
fingered here until every visitor
had gone, which was not until after
ten o'clock. The woman WHO sold
ice cream was about 90 shut up the
place aud 20 home when she saw me
Perhaps she was still in hopes of n
late customer from the hotel near nj
hand, aud was willing To wait while
she had a companion. At any rate.
she called me in and asked me IL /
would ut ike some ice-cream.
| accepted the treat very gratefully.
and bought the remnant Of n cake.
which she sold pe for three ceuts. II
was not q very substantial or a very
satisfying supper but / had 10 con.
tent myself with il, "a n better meal
was not Within my means
My new friend questioned me AZ
to my pame aud history. and gave
me her sympathy. saying seemed "A
steady, sensible boy. aud she did Mt
see why shouldn't succeed and II she
could get me work she wOuld.'
This was encouragement, and I
needed il sorely.
The little building was surrouu lei
by n sort Of verau1a, which in one
place projected over the edge Of tic
bluif, and was supported by pillars
driven deep into the sandy slope be.
meath. The floor thus formed a shell.
ter, Ender which I slept that night. &
during the rest Of my stay in NJ.
For several days ] roamed the place
IN search OF q temporary situation. tbc
proceeds Of which would enable mo
10 complete my journey 10 Chicago.
but in vain. / even a1fdioJ IN liz