The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-05-10

tot iub VI tulu1. tluffN
was rattlebrained fellow, but never though,
of matrimouy. Hc loved to walk and talk
and laugh and ramp with Annette, but So
ber marriage never came into his head.
lie only jumped for the fun of the thing
He would have said so, if he was sure of
winning.
/ "Charley Simms, fifteen feet and half
Hurrah for Charley Charley'l win y
cried the crowd od-humorediy. Charley
Slmms was the cleverest fellow in the
world. His mother had advised him to stay
at home, and told hin if he ever won wife,
she would tall in love with his good temper
rather than his legs. Charley however
made the trial of the ia,ter's capabilities and
lost. Many refused to enter the lists alto
gether. OILERS made the trial, and only
one of the leapers had yet cleared twenty
feet.
"Now," cried the villagers, let's see
Henry Carroll. He ought to beat this
and every one appeared, as they called ~
mind the mutual love of the hast competitor
and the sweet Annette, as if they heartily
wished his success.
Henry stepped to his post with firm
tread.-lis eye glanced with confidence
around upon the villagers and rested, before
he bounded forward, upon the face Annette
as if to each therefrom that spirit aud as
suraDce which the occasion called for.
Returning the encouraging glance with
which she met his own, with proud smile
upon his lip, he bounded forward.
"Twenty-one feet and half" shouted
the multitude, repeating the announcement
of one of the judges, "wenty-one feet and
a half Harry Carroll forcver-Anneite
and Harry" Hands, caps, and handker-
chiefs waved over the heads of the specta-
tors, and the eyes of the delighted Annette
sparkIed with joy.
When Harry Carroll moved to his sta
ton to strive for The prize, tall, gentleman
ly man in military undress frock cont,
who had rode up to the inn, dismounted,
and joined the spcctatlon unperceiyed, step
ped suddenly forward, and with knowing
eye, measured deliberately the space ac-
complished by the last leaper. lie was a
stranger in the village. His handsome face
and easy address attracted the eyes of the
village maideus, and his manly and sinewy
frame, in which symmetry and strength
were happily united, called forth the ad-
miration of the young men.
Mayhap, sir stranger, you think you
can beat that" said one of the bystuuders,
remarkng the manner in which the eve Of
the stranger scanned the area. elf you
can leap beyond Harry Carroll, you'll beat
the best man in the colonies" The truth
Of this observation was assented TO by gen.
eral murmur.
Is it for mere amusement you are pur-
suing this pnslime 7" inquired the youth
ful stranger, or is there prize for the win
ner ~
"Annette, the loyeliest and wealtbiest Of
our village naidens, is 10 be the reward Of
the VICTOR" cried one of the Judges.
care the lists oren to a!ll"
GAN, young sir :" replied the father of
Annette, with interest, his youthful ardor
rising as he surveyed the proportions of the
straight limbed young stranger. " She is
the bride of him who outleaps Henry Car
roll; if you will try you are free to do so.
But let me tell you, Harry Carroll has no
wife in Verginla. Here is my daughter,
sir, look at her aud make your trial"
The young officer glanced upon the trem-
bling maiden about to be offered on the al
tar oe her fathers unconquerable monoma-
MIA, with an admiring eye. The poor girl
looked ct Harry who stood near with
troubled brow and angry eye, and then cast
upon the new competitor an lmploring
glance.
Placing his coat in the hands of one of
the judges, he drew a sash he wore beneath
i'll, Il Al.
appointed stand, made, apparently without
effort, the bound that was to decide the hap
piness or misery of Henry and Annette.
Twenty two feet one inch ~ shouted
the Judge. The announcement was repeat
ed 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 mau approached, and grasping
his hand exuliingly, called him his son. and
said he felt prouder of him than if he were
n prince. activity and strength
were the old Ieaper's true patents of nobility.
ResupIng his coat, the visor sought with
his eye the fair prize lie had, although
nameIess and unknown, so fairly won. She
leaned upon her fathers arm, pale and dis
tressed.
Her lover stood aloof gloomy and morti-
fed, ,admlrIng the superiority Of the stranger
in an exercise in which he prided himself
as unrivalled, while he hated him for his
success.
Annette, my pretty prize, said the victor,
taking her passive band-I have won you
fairly" AnEette's cheek became'paler tha1
marble; she trembIed like an aspen leaf,
and clung closer to her father, while her
dropping eye sought the form of her lover
His brow grew dark at the strangers Ian
nuaoe