Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-08-19

that no man shall marry my daughter
without jumping forit. You understand
me, boys" "There's the green and
here's Annette" he added, taking his
daughter, who stood timidly behind him
by the hand. "Now, the one that jumps
the furthest on dead level shall marry
Annette this very night" ,-e -
This unique address was received by
the young men with applause. And ma.
ny a youth, as he bounded gaily forward
to the arena of trial, cast a glance of an.
ticipated victory back upon the lovely
object Of village chivalry. The maidens
left their looms and quilting frames
the children their noisy sports-the
slaves their labours, and the old men
their arm chairs and long pipes, to wit
ness and triumph in the success of the
victor. All prophesied, and many wish
ed, that it would be young Carroll. He
was the handsomest and best humored
youth in the country, and all knew that
q strong and mutual attachment existed
between him and the fair Annette,
Carroll had won the reputation of be-
ing the, best leaper; and in country,
where such athletic achievements were
the sine qua nom Of mans cleverness,
this was no ordinary honor. In a con-
test like the present, he had therefore ev-
cry advantage over his fellow athletic
The arena allotted for this hymenial con-
test, was level space in front Of the vii
age inn, and near the centre of a gra IS
plat, reserved in the midst of the village,
denominated the green The verdure
was quite worn off at this place by pre-
vious exercise of similar kind, and a
hard surface of sand more beftting for
the purpose to which it was to be used,
supplied its place.
The father Of the lovely, blushing, and
withal HAPPY prize Qor she we'll knew
who would win) with three other patri-
archal villagers, were the Judges ap-
pointed to decide upon the claims of the
several competitors.
The last time Carroll tried his skill
in this exercise he cleared to use the
leapers phraseology) twenty-one feet
and one inch.
The signal was given, and by lot the
young men stepped into the arena.
Edward Grayson, seventeen feet"
cried one Of the judges. The youth had
done his utmost. He was a pale intel
lectual student. But what had intellect
to do in such an arena ? Without look
at the maiden he left the ground.
"Dick Boulden, nineteen feet" Dick
with laugh turned away and replaced
his coat.
"Harry Preston, nineteen feet and 8
inches" "Well done, Harry Preston,
shouted the spectators you have tried
hard for the acres and homestead
Harry also laughed and swore he on
ly jumped for the fun of the thing. Hen
ry was rattle Drained fellow, but new
er thought of matrimony. He loved to
walk and talk, and laugh and romp with
Annetta, 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 a
half Hurrah for Charley! Charley'll
win p cried 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 a wife, she would fall in love
with his good temper, rather than his
legs. Charles however made trial Of
the latter capabilities and lost. Others
made the trial, and only one of the leap
ers had yet cleared twenty feet.
"Now," cried the villagers, "lets see
Harry Carroll. He ought to beat this )"
and every one appeared, as they called
to mind the mutual love ofthe last com
petitor and the sweet Annette, as ifthey
heartily wished him success. 31
Henry stepped to his post with firm
read. His eyes glanced with conf
1ence around upon the villagers, and
.ested before he bounded forward, upon
he face of Annetta, as if to catch there
rom that spirit Of assurance which the
occasion called for.-Returning the en-
;ouraging glance with which she met
lis own, with a proud smile upon his lip,
he bounded forward.
"Twenty-one feet and a halfp shouted
he multitude repeating the announce
nent Of one O. the judges, twenty-one
eet and half. Harry Carol forever.
annette and Harry" Hands, caps, hand
,erchiefs waved over the heads of the
pectators, and the eyes of the delighted
Annette sparkled with joy.
When Harry Carroll moved to his