The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-05-27

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and quilting frames-the children their moi
sy sports--the slaves their labors, and the
old men their armchairs and long pipes, to
witness and triumph in the success of the
victor. All prophesied, and many wished,
that it would be young Carroll. He was
the handsomest and best humored youth in
the country, and all knew that strong and
mutual attachment existed between him and
the fair Annette. Carroll had won the re-
putation of being the best leaper;' and in a
country, where such athletic achievements
were the 'sine qua nom of mans clever
ness, this was no ordinary honor. In con-
test like the present, he had therefore every
advantage over his fellow athleta.
The area allotted for this hymenial con-
test, was a level space in front of the village
inn, and near the centre of grass plat, re-
served in the midst of the village, dcnomin-
ated the green The verdure was quite
worn off at this place by previous exercises
of a similar kind, and hard surface of sand
more befttingly for the purpose to which it
was to be used, supplied its place.
The father of the lovely, blushing, and
withal HAPPY prize, (for she well knew who
would win) with three other patriarchal viii
layers, were the judges appointed to decide
upon the claims of the several competitors.
The last time Carroll tried his skill in this
exercise, he cleared TO use the leaper's
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 pale, intclIec-
tual 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 three
inches" well done Harry Preston,
shouted the spectators, you have tried
hard for the acres and homestead
Harry also laughed, and swore he only
jumped for the 'fun of the thing Henry
was rattle-brained fellow but never thought
of matrimony. He loved to walk and talk, &,
and 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
Hurrah for Charley! Charley'n win,
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. Charley
however made the trial of the latter's ca
pabilities and lost Others made the trial,
and only one of the leapers had yet cleared
twenty feet.
"Now," cried the villagers, 'lets Sc e
Harry Carroll. He ought to beat this;"
and every one appeared, as they called to
mind the mutual love of the last competitor
and the sweet Annette, as if they heartily
wished his 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
hette, as if to catch therefrom that spirit of
assurance 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
ofone of the judges, 'twenty-one feet and a
half. Harry Carroll forever.--Annette and
Harry Hands, caps, and handkerchiefs
waved over the heads of the spectators, and
the eyes of the delighted Annette sparkled
with joy.