Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-06-18

sent, he had, therefore, every advantage
over his fellow athletic.
The arena allotted for this hymenial
contest was level space in front OF the
village inn, and near the centre OF grass
plat, reserved in the midst Of the village,
denominated the 8 green The verdure
was quite worn off at the place by PREV.
Gus exercises of similar kind, and hard
surface of Sand, more be6ttingly for the
purpose to which it was used, supplied It's
place. ),
The father of the lovely, blushing, and
wi.hal happy prize, (for she well knew
would win,) with three other patriarchal
villagers were the judges appointed to de-
eide upon the claims Of the several compe>
,itors. The last time Carol tried his skill
in this exercise, he " cleared use the
leaper's phraseology-twenty-one feet and
one inch.
The signal was given and 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 iniellec.
tual student. But what had intellect to do
| in such an arena ? Without look at the
maiden he left the ground.
"Dick Boulder, 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 a 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 fur
of the thing. He would not have sale
so, if he was sure of winning.
"Charley Simms, fifteen feet and half
Hurrah for Charley! Charley IL win !"
cried the crowd spontaneously. Char.
ley Simms was the clcverest 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. Char
ley, however, made the trial Of the latter's
capabilities and lost. Many refused to
enter the lists altogether. Others 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 p
and every one appeared, as they called ia
mind the mutual love of the last compe.i
tor and the sweet Annette, as if they wish
ed his success.
Henry stepped to his post with firm
tread. His eye glanced with confidence
around upon the villagers and rested, be-
fore he bounded forwa yard, upon the face Of
Annette, as if to catch therefrom that spiri
and assurance which the occasion called
for. Returning the encouraging glance
with which she met his own, with a prouc
smile upon his lip, he bounded forward.
| Twenty-one feet and half" shouted
the multitude, repeating the announcement
of one of the judges, "twenty-one feet ant
half. Harry Carroll forever. Annette ano
Harry" Hands, caps, and handkerchief:
waved over the heads of the spectators, anG
the eyes of the delighted Annette sparklet
with joy.
When Henry Carroll moved to this sta
ton to strive for the prize, tall, gentle
manly young, man, in military undres:
frock coat, who had rode up to the inn,
dismounted and joined the spectators, UNI
perceived. while the contest was going on
stepped suddenly forward, and with a
knowing eye measured deliberately the
space accomplished by the last leaper. He
was a stranger in the village. His hand
some face and easy address attracted the
eyes of the village maidans, and his manly
and sinewy frame, in which symmetry and
strength were happily united. called forth
the admiration of the young men.
Mayhap, sir stranger, you think you
can beat that" said one of the bystanders,
remarking the manner in which the eye OF
the stranger scanned the arena. elf you
can leap beyond Henry Carroll, you'll
beat the best man in the colonies" The
truth of this observation was assented to
by general murmur.
s. Is 1t for mere amusement you are pur.
suing this pas,ime :" inquired the youths
full stranger, "or is there prize for the
winner!'
annette, the lovclicst and wealthiest of
our village maidens, is to be the reward of
the VICTOR" cried one Of the judges.
"Are the lists open to all ~
"AH, 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
Carroll. If you will try you are free to
do SO. But let me tell you, Harry Carroll
has no wife in Virninia Ho-o :.