American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-19

Harry" Hands, caps, and handkerchic!s wa
we'd over the heads Of the spectators, and the
eyes Of the delighted Annette sparkled with
Joy.
When Harry Carroll moved to lis station to
strive for the prize, ii tall gentcmanly young
man, in military undress trock coat who had
rode up to the inn, dismountod and joined the
spectators, unperceived, while the contest was
going OH, stepped suddenly forward, and with
a knowing eye measured deliberately the space
accomplished by tho last lcapcr. lie was
stranger in the village His handsome face
and easy address attracted the eyes of the vii
lage nlaidens, and his manly and sinowy frame,
to which symmetry and strength were happily
united, called forth the admiration Of the young
! men.
'Mayhap, sir stranger, you think you can
beat thatF said one of the bystandcrs, remark
ing the manner in which the eye Of the stran-
ger scanned the arena. IF you can leap be-
you'd Harry Carroll, you'll beat the best man in
the colonies The truth of this observation
was assentcd to by a general nurmur.
is 1t for mere amusement you are pursuing
this pastimei' inquired the youthful stranger,
scr is there prize for the winner
Annette, the loycliest and wealthiest of cur
village maidens, is to be the reward Of the VIC
tor cried one of the judges.
Are the lists open to all;'
'All, young sir replied the father of AnncI-
tie, with interest, his Youthful ardor rising as he
surveyed the proportions Of the straight lmbed
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 equal in Virginia. Here is my
daughter, sir, look at her and make your trial
The officer glanced upon the trembling maiden
n no nj of ln nit Of ICr G,t -
unc0nquerable monomania with an admiring
eye. The poor girl looked at Harry, who stood
near with a troubled brow and an angry eye,
and then cast upon the new competitor in I'M
ploring glance.
Placing his coat in the hands of one of the
Judges, he drew sash he wore beneath it tight
or round his waist, and taking the appointed
stand, made, apparently without effort, the
bound that was to decide the happiness or mise
ry of Henry and Annette,
twenty-five feet and an inch,' shouted the
judge. The announcement was repeated 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
band exultingly, called him his son, and said he
felt Prouder of him than if he wero Il prince.
Physical activity and strength were the old
leaper's true patents Of nobility.
Resuming his coat, the victor sought with
his eye the fair prize he had, although, name
less aud unknown, so fairly won. She leaned
upon her fathers arm, pale and distressed.
Her lover stood aloot, gloomy and mortified,
admiring the superiority of the stranger in an
exercise in which he Prided himself as unrival-
led while he hated him for his SUCCESS.
annette, my pretty prize said the victor,
taking her passive hand. 4 have won you
fairly Anuette's cheek became paler than
marble; she trembled like an aspen leaf and
clung closer to her father, while the dropping
eye sought the form of her lover His brow
drew dark at the strangers language.
i have won you, my pretty flower, to make
you bride-tremble not 50 yiolenlv--l mean
not myself, however proud ! ought to be- he
sad with galiahtry, to wear so fair gem next
to my heart. Perhaps, and he casting his eyes
inquiringly, while the current Of life leaped
joyiully to her brow, and murnur Of surprise
ran through the crowd, perhaps there is some
favored youth among the company who has a
higher claim to this jewel. Young SIR he
continued, turning to the surprised Henry, 'me-
thinks you were victor in the list before mel
strove not for the maiden, though one could
not we'll strive for fairer-but fiom love for
the manly sport in which | saw you engaged.
You are the victor, and as such, with the per-
mission Of this worthy assembly, you receive
from my hand the prize you have so well and
so honorably WOE
The youth sprang forward and grasped his
hand with gratitude, and the next moment An
nette was weeping for pure joy upon his Shout
ders The welkn rang with the acclamations
l n oil hta1y vii mid ho
rary excitement produced by this act, the
stranger withdrew from the crowd, mounted
his horse, and spurred him at a brisk trot
through the village.
That night Henry and Annette were mar
lied, and the health of the mysterious and no.
BILE hearted stranger was drank in Overlooking
bumpers of rustic beverage.
In process OF time, there were born unto
the married pair, SONS and daughters, and Car
roll had become Colonel Henry Carroll, of the
Revolutionary army.
One evening having just returned 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 announc-
ed the approach of Gen. Washington and
suite, informing him that he should crave his
hospitality for the night. The necessary d.
rections were given in reference to the house.
hold preparations, and Col. Carroll, ordering
his horse, rode forward to meet and escort to
his house the distinguished guest, whom he
had never yet seen, although serving in the
same widely extended army.
That evening, at the table, Annette, now
become the dignifed matronly, and still hand
some, Mrs. Carroll, could. not keep her eyes
from the face of her illustrious visitor. Every
moment or two she would steal glance at
his commanding features, and half doubtingy,
Enthusiastically, 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 affectionately if
she was ill!
Il suspect Colonel, said the General who
had been some time, with quiet, meaning