The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-05-27
BIOOMsBURG, COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA. SATURDAY. mr.


manly young man, in military undress
frock coat, who had rode up to the inn,
dismounted, and joined the spectators, un-
perceived, while the contest was going on;
stepped suddenly forward, and with know
ing eye, measured deliberately the space
accomplished by the last leaper!-He was
stranger in the village. His handsome
face and easy address attracted the eyes of
the village maidens, and his manly and sim
ewy frame, in which symmetry and strength
were happily united, called forth the admi-
ration of the young men.
'Mayhap, sir, stranger, you think you can
beat that said one of the bystanders, re-
marking the manner iu which the eye of
the stranger scanned the arena. If you
can leap beyond Harry Carroll, you'll beat
the best man in the colonies" The truth
of the observation was assented to by ge-
neral murmur.
sis it for mere amusemeni you are pursu-
ing this pass-time," inquired the youthful
stranger, "or is there prize for the win
ner 20
"Annette, the loveliest and wealthiest of
our village maidens, is to be the reward of
the VICTOR" cried one of the judges.
"Are the lists open to all :"
CAL young sir" replied the father of
Annette, with interest, his youthful ardour
rising, as he surveyed the proportions of the
straight-limbed young stranger. "She is
the bride of him who out-leaps Harry Car
roll. If you will try you are free to do so.
But let me tell you, Harry Carroll has no
rival in all Virginia. Here is my daughter,
sir, look at her, and make your trial."
The young officer glanced at the tremb-
ling maiden, about to be offered on the altar
of her fathers unconquerable monomania,
with an admiring eye. The poor girl look
ed at Harry, who stood near, with trOub-
led brow and angry eye, and then cast upon
the new competitor an imploring glance.
Placing his coat in the hands of one of
the judges, he drew sash he wore beneath
it tighter around his waist, and taking the
appointed stand, made, apparently without
effort, the bound that was to decide the hap
piness or misery of Henry and Annette.
"Twenty-two feet and one inch," shout
ed the judge. The announcement was re-
peated with surprise by the spectators, who
crowded around the victor, filling the air
with congratulations, not unmingled, how
ever, with loud murmurs from those who
were more nearly interested in the happi-
ness of the lovers.
The old man approached, and grasping
his hand exultingly, called him his son, and
said he felt prouder of him than if he were
a prince. Physical activity and strength
were the old leaper's true patents of nobil-
ity.
Resuming his coat, the victor sought
with his eye the fair prize he had, altho'
nameless and unknown, so fairly won.-
She leaned upon her fathers arm, pale and
distressed. -
Her lover stood aloOf, gloomy and NOR
titled, admiring the superiority of the stran-
ger in an exercise in which he prided him
self as unrivalled, while he hated him for
his success.
annette, my pretty prize said the vic
tor, taking her passive hand, Il have won
you fairly Annette's cheek became paler
than marble: she trembled like an aspen
leaf, and clung closer to her father, while
the dropping eye sought the form of her low
er. His brow grew dark at the strangers
language.
Il have won you, my pretty flower, to
make you a bride!-tremble not so violent
ly-I mean not myself, however proud |
might be- he added with gallantry, 'to wear
so fair gem next my heart.-Perhaps,
and he cast his eyes round him enquiringly,
while the current of life leaped joyfully to
her brow, and murmur of surprise ran
through the crowd,-'perhaps there is some