Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-05-18

twenty one feet and a hnlfn shouted The
multitude, repeating the announcement Of
one Of tho Judges, twenty one feet and u
half. Hairy Carroll forever. Annette aud
Harry. Hands, caps, and handkerchiefs
waved over The heads Of the spectators, and
with joy.
When Harry Carroll moved 10 his station
10 strive icr the prize, tall sen,iemanIy
young man in a military undressed frock-
coat, who had rode up to the int, dismouni-
ell and joined the spectators, unperceived,
while the contest was going on, stepped sud-
denly forward, and with Il knowing eye,
measured deliberately the space accomplish.
ed by tie last leaper. He was stranger in
the village. His handsome face and easy
addi ess attracted the eyes oi the village maid
ems, and his manly aud sinewy frame, in
which symmetry and strength were happily
united, called forth the admiration uf the
young mon.
'Mayhap. sir stranger. you think you cnn
beat that said one Of the bystanders, re-
marking iha manner in which, the eye of the
stranger scanned the arena. I'll you can leup
beyond Harry Carroll. you'll bea; the best
man la the Colonies The truth Of this obser-
walton was assahted to by general mur.nur.
Is II Tor mere amusement you are pursu-
ing this pastime 2 inquired The youthful
stranger, or is there prize for the winner?
Annette, the ioveliest and wealthiest OF
our village maidens, ia To be the reward oi
the sictor, cried one OF the judges.
Are the lists open 10 all =
'All, y0ung sir ! replied the father Of An
Rette, with interest, his youthful aiduut ris-
ing as he surveyed the proportions of the
straight Iimbed young stranger. She 10
the bride Of him who out-leaps Henry Car
roll. ffyou will try you are free 10 do SO.
But LET me tell you, Harry Carroll has no
wife iii Virginia. Here is my daughter, sir,
look at her and make your trial
The young officer glanced upon the trem-
bling maiden about lU be offered On the al
tar OF her fathers uncopquerabie monomania
with an admiring eye. The poor girl look,
ed at Harry, who stood near with u troubled
brow and angry eye. and then cast upon the
new competitor an impioring glance.
Placing his coat in the hands OF one of The
judges, he drew a sash he wore beneath il
fighter around his waist, and taking tho APP
pointed stand, made, apparently without eff
tort, the bound that was 10 decide the happi-
ness OF misery of Henry aud Annette
twenty Two feet one inch y shouted the
judge. The announcement was repeated
Will surprise by the spectators, who crowd
ed around The victor, filling the air with
congratulations, not unn,ingled, however,
with Loud murmurs from those who were
more nearly interested in the happiness Of
The lovers.
The old nan approached, and graspIng ms
hand eXuliinSiy, called him his shn, and said
he felt prouder Of him than il he were d
prince. Physical activity and strength were
the old leaper's true patents OF nobility.
Resuming his Coat, the victor sought with
has eye The fair prize he had, although name
less and unknown, SO fairly won. She lean
ed upon her fathers arm, pale and distressed.
der lover siood aioof, goamy and inorti-
fed, admiring the super iurity OF the stranger
III AN exercise in which he pritled himself as
unrivalled, while he hated him for bis sue
cess.
Annette, my pretty prize said the VIC
tor, taking her passive babd-'I have won
you fairly Anaeie's cheek became paler
than mar bile she trembled like an aspen
leaf, snd cluEg closer 10 her father, while
the dropping eye sough! the iorni oi her low
er. His brow grew dark al the strangers
language.
have won you, my pretty flower, TO
make you u bride :-tremble not So violent
ly-i mean mol myself, however proud
might Gc,' he added with gaildntry, 30 wear
50 fair gem next my heart. Perhaps &
he cast his eyes round inquiringiy, while
the current Of lite leaped JOY fully TO her
brow, and murmur Of surprise ran throus Ii
the crowd perhaps there is some favored
youth among the competitors, who has u
higher claim to this jewell Young, sir he
continued, turning 10 the surprised Henry,
'meihiDks you were victor III the iisls before
mel strove not for the maiJen, though one
could not well strive for iairer-bul from
love for the manly sport in which | saw you
engaged. You ase the victor, aud as such,
with the permission Ot this worilty asssu,hIv
receive from my hand tho prize you have go
we'll and honorsbly won.'
The youth sprung forward and grasped his
hand with gratitude, snd the next moment
Annette was weeping from pure joy upon his
shoulders. The welkin rung with The &C.
carnations OF The deiig bted villagers, and a
mid the temporary excitement produced by
this act, the stranger withdrew from the
crowd. mounted his horse, aid spurred st a
brisk tIol through the village
That night Henry and Annette were mar
ried, and the health Of the mysterious and
noble hearted stranger, Was drunk in over
Sowing bumpers Of rustic beverage.
JD process OF time, there were born unto
The married pair sons and daughters, ard
Harry Carroll had become Colonel Henry
Carroll, OF The Revolutionary Army
One evening, having just returned home
alter a hard Campaign, he was sitting with
MS family on the gallery of his handsome
country house, when an advanced courier
rode up aud announced the approach Of Gen.
Washington add suite, informing that he
should crave his hospitality for the night
The necessary directions we're given 10 re-
ference 10 the household preparations, and
Col. Carroll ordered his horse, g. rode forward
to meet aud escort TO his house the distia-
rrff1 cke ri ,r,t. 4. 4. 4