Southern telegraph. (Rodney, Miss.) 1834-1838, 1837-08-01

- The father of the lovely, blushing, and
{withal, happy prize, (for she well knew who
weuld VIM aud three other patriarchial
ylllaesTs, were the Judges appointed to de-
eide upon the claims of the several compet-
ltors. IhetRst time Carroll tried his skill
IN this exercise, he cleared TO use the leap
er's Phraseology, t'senty one feet aud one
inch.
The signal was given, and by lot the
young men stepped into tho arena.
Edward Grayson, seventeen feet!' cried
one of the Judges. The youth had done
his utmost. He was pale, intellectual
student. But what had intellect TO do in
such an Arena? Without a look at the mai
den, he left the ground.
'Dick Budcn, nineteen feein Dick,
with laugh, turned away, and replaced his
coat.
'llarry Preston, nineteen feet and three
inchesn 'Wei done, Harry Preston,' shout
ed the spectators, 'you you have tried hard
for the acres and the homestead
Harry also laughed, and swore he only
Jumped for the fun Of the thing. Henry
was ratile-brained fellow, but never thought
of matrimony. He loved to walk and talk,
laugh and romp with Annette, but sober
marriage never came into his head. He
only jumped for the fun of the thing. He
would not have said SO, if he was sure of
winning.
Charley Simms, fifteen feet and half
i II for fh-,r IL II. I
the crowd good humoredly. Charley Simms
was the cleverest fellow in the world. His
mother had advised him to stay at home, and
told him If he ever won d wife she would
fall in love with his good temper rather
than his legs. Charley, however, mndc
the trial of the latter's capabilities, and lost.
Many refused to enter the list altogether
| Oilers made the trial, and none Of the leap
ers had yet cleared twenty feet.
Now cried the villagers, 'let us see
Henry Carroll He ought to beat this !;
and every one appeared, as they called to
mind the mutual love Of the last competitor
!. and tire s~oot .Anaosso, "a IL they heartily
wished him success.
| Henry stepped to his post with firm
tread. His eye glanced with confidence
around upon the villagers, and rested, before
he bounded forward, upon the face of An
nette, as if TO catch therefrOin that spirit and
assurance which the occasion called for.
Returning the encouraging glance with
which she met his own, with proud smile
upon his lip, be founded forward.
'Twenty-onc feet and halfr shouted
the multitude, repeating the announcement
of one of the Judges, twenty one feet and
half Harry Carroll foreyer! Annette
and Harryr Hands, caps, and handker-
chiefs waved over the heads Of the specta-
tors, and the eyes Of the delighted Annette
sparkled with joy.
When Harry Carroll moved to his station
to strive for the prize, tall, gentlemanly
yonng man in military undress frocL coat,
who had rode up to the inn, dismolnted and
joined the spectators, unperceived, while
the contest was going on, stepped suddenly
forward, and with knowing eye, measured
deliberately the space accomplished by the |
last leaper. lie was stranger in the vii |
lage. His handsome face and easy address |
attracted the eyes Of the village maidens,
and his manly and sinewy frame, 10 which
symmetry and strength We're happily unit;
ed, called forth the admiration Of the young
men,
'Mayhap, sir stranger, you think you can |
beat that SAX one of the bystanders, re-
marking the manner in which the eve OIL
the stranger scanned the area. iIf you can
beat Harry Carroll, You'll beat the best
man in the coianies.' The truth Of this OBJ
scryation was assentcdto by general muir
muir.
is it for mere amusement YOU are pur-
suing this pastiinef inquired the Youthful
siranger,'or is there prize for4lle winnegg
Annette, the loveliest and wealthiest Of
our village maidens, is he the reward Of
the victor cried one Of The llges.
Are the lists open to all?'
sAlI young SIR Y cried the father Of An
netie, with interest, bis youthful ardor ris-
ing as he surveyed the proportions of the
straight limlncd young stranger. she is
tho bride Of him who ontIeaps Henry Car
roll If yoa viii Try, you are free 10 do So.
Bat let me tell you. Harry Carroll has M
wife ia Virginia. Here is my daughter, sir,
look at her, and mike your trial.
The young officer glanced upon the trem-
bling maiden abaatto be offered on the al
tar Of her fathers unconquerable monorha-
MIA with an admiring eye The poor girl
looked at Harry who stood near With a
troubled brow and angry eye, and then cast
upon the new competitor a most impIoring
| glance.
Placing bis coat in tho hands Of one of
the Judges, lie drew a sash he wore beneath
it, tighter around bis waist, and taking the
/ appointed stand, made, apparently without
effort, the bound that was to decide the hap
i piness o. misery Of Henry and Annette
rfaven tv.tlro feet nra fnchr shouted fha
iuuEU. He ufiituunt culenIf Vas 20 u14lfu
With surl,rize hv 49, Whotratd