Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-06-29

eide the happiness or misery OF Henry
and Annette.
Twenty-Five feet one inch p shouted
the Judge. The announcement was re-
peated with surprise by the spectators,
who crowded around the victor, filling the
air with congratulations, not unmingled,
however, with loud murmurs from those
who were more nearly interested in the
happiness Of the lovers.
The old man approached and grasping
his hand exultingy, called him his son
and said he felt prouder of him thanif he
were a prince. Physical activity and
strength were the old leaper's true patents
of nobility.
Resuming his coat, the victor sought
with his eye on the fair prize he had, al
though nameless and unknown, SO fairly
won. She leaned upon her fathers arm,
pale and distressed.
Her lover stood aloof, gloomy and
mortified, admiring the superiority of the
stranger in an exercise in which he pri-
ded himself as unrivalled, while he hated
him for his success.
'Annetta, my pretty prize said the
victor taking her passing hand--I have
won you fairly Annetto's cheek be-
came paler than marble; she trembled
like an aspen leaf, and clung closer to
Ter father, while her dropping eyes soft
the form of her lover. His brow grew
dark at the strangers language.
Il have won you my pretty flower, to
make you bride !-trenlble not so vio-
lently mean not myself however proud
might be- he added gallantly, 'to wear
so fair gem next my heart. Perhaps
and he cast his eyes round enquiringly,
while the current of life leaped joyfully
to her brow, and u murmur Of surprise
ran through the crowd perhaps there
is some favored youth among the compct-
itors, who has higher claim to this jew
ell. Young SIR he continued, turning to
his surprised Henry, 'methinks you were
victor in the list before me. | strove not
for the maiden, though one could not well
strive for fairer-but from love for the
manly sport in which saw you engaged.
You are the victor, and as such with the
permission of this worthy assembly, re-
ceive from my hand the prize you have
honorably won.'
The youth sprang forward and grasped
his hand with gratitude: and the next mo-
ment Annette was weeping from pure joy
upon his shoulders. The welkin rung
with the acclamations of the delighted vii
layers, an amid the temporary excite
ment produced by this act, the stranger
withdrew from the crowd, mounted his
horse, and spurred at brisk trot through
the village.
THAT night Harry and Annette were
married, and the health of the mysterious
and noble stranger, was drunk and in over
flowing bumpers of rustic beverage.
In the process of time, there were born
unto the married parsons and daughters,
and Harry Carroll became Col. Henry
Carroll of the Revolutionary army.
One evening, ,havingju returned home
after hard campaign, he was sitting
with his family on the gallery of his hand
Some country house, whom an advance
courier rode up and announced the ap-
proach of Gen. Washington and suit, in
forming that he should crave his hospital
ty for the night. The necessary direc-
tons were given in reference to the house,
hold preparations, and Col. Carol order
ing his horse, rode forward to meet and
esco,t 10 his house the distinguished guest,
whom he had never seen, although serv-
ing in the same widely extended army.
THAT evening at the table, now become
the dgnifed matronly and still handsome
| Mrs. Carroll could not keep her eyes
from the, face of her i!lustrious visitor.
Every moment or two she would steal
glance at his commanding features, and
half doubtingly, half assuredly, shake her
head ani look again, to be still more puz-
zled, her absence Of mind and embarrass-
ment at length became evident to her hus-
band who enquired effectlonatcly If she
was ill!
Il suspect Colonel said the General,
who had been some time with quiet
meaning smile, observing the lady's Curl
Gus and puzzled survey Of his features
sthat Mrs. Carroll thinks she recognizes
in me an old acquaintance.'-And she
smiled with mysterious air, as ne gazed
upon both alternately.
The Colonel started and faint memo
rv Of the past, seemed to be revived, as
he gazed, while the lady rose impulsively
from her chair, and bending eagerly for
ward over her tea urn, with claspcd hands
and an eye of intense, eager enquiry,
fixed full upon him, stood for monient
with her lips parted as if she would
speak.