Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-07-26

| SS"' "uhitiihs TUE superiority oil
the stranger in an exercise in which he
pnded himself as unrivalled, while he
hated him for his success.
" Annette, my pretty prize" said
the victor taking her passive hand, I"
have won you fairly" Annette's cheek
became paler than marble she trem.
bled like an aspen leaf, and chung clio.
ser to her father, while the dropping
eye sought the form of her lover. His
brow grew dark ut the strangers Ian.
guage.
have won, you my pretty flower,
to make you bride l--tremble not so
VIOLENTLY mean not myself, however
proud | might be-" he added gallan,ly,
to wear SO bright gem next my heart.
Perhaps" and he cast bis eye around
lnquiringly, while the current of life
leaped ioyfully to her brow, and muir.
muir of applause ran through the crowd
-" perhaps there is some favored one
among the competitors, who has a
higher claim to this jewel. Young SIR"
he continued, turning to the surprised
Henry, methinks you were the victor
in the lists before me. strove not
for the maiden, though one could not
well strive for fairer-but for the
manly sport in which saw you enga.
ged. You are the victor, and as such,
with the permission of this assem-.
bly,, receive from my hand the prize
you have so fairly IL honorably won."
The youth sprang forward and gras-
ped his hand with gratitude, and the
next moment Annette was weeping for
JOY upon his shoulders. The welkin
rung with the acclamations of the de.
lighted villagers, and amid the tempo.
rary excitement produced by this act,
the stranger withdrew from the crowd,
mounted his horse, and spurred at
brisk trot through the village.
That night, Henry and Annette we're
married, and the health of the my steri-
Gus and noble hearted stranger was
drunk in overflowlng bumpers OF rus.
tic beverage
In the process of time, there was
born unto the married pair, sons and
daughters, and Harry Carroll became
Colonel Carroll of the Revolutionary
army.
One evening, having just returned
home after a hard campaign, he was
sitting with his family on the gallery
of his handsome country house, when
an advance courier rode up and an
nounced the advance of Gen. Wash
ington and suite, informing him that
he should crave his hospitality for the
night. The necessary directions were
given in reference to his household pre-
para,ions, and Col. Carroll, ordering
his horse, rode forward to meet and es.
cor: to his house, the distinguished
guest, whom he had never yet seen,
although serving in the same wide ex.
tended army.
That evening, Annette, now become
the dignified, matronly, but still hand.
some Mrs Carroll, could not keep her
eyes from the face Of the ilIustrious vi.
sitor. Every moment or two she
would steal a glance at his command
ing features, and, halls assuredly, shake
her head and look again, to be still
more puzzled. Her absence of mind
and embarrassment at length became
evident to her husband, who inquired
afiectionately if she was i'll.
:" suspect, Colonel" said the Cen
eral, who had been some time, with a
quiet meaning mood, observing the la
dy's curious and puzzled sruvey of his
features" that Mrs. Carroll thinks
she recognizes in me an old acquaint.
ance." And he smiled with mystic.
rious air, as he gazed upon both alter
nately.
The Colonel stared, and faint me-
mory Of the past seemed to revive, as
he gazed, while the lady rose impul'
sively from her chair, and bending ca
gerIy forward over the tea urn, with
clasped hands and an eve of intense
eager inquiry, fixed full upon him,
stood for moment with her lips part.
ed, as if she would speak.
"Pardon me, my dear madam-par
don me Colonel, | must put pn end tc
this scene. ! have become, by dint o
camp. fare and hard usage, unfit to LEAF
again twenty-five feet one inch, ever
for so fair a bride as one wot Of"
The recognition, with the surprise
delight, and happiness that followed
are left to the imagination ofthe reader
Gen. Washington was indeed thu
handsome young leaper" whose mys
FERROUS appearance and disappearance,
in the native village Of the lovers, j
still traditionary--and whose claim t
substantial body of bona fde fes
and blood was stou,ly contested by III
village story tellers, until the happ
; deuouement which took place at tn
hospta bic mansion of Col. Carroll.