The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-06-14


the spectators, "you have ltried hard for the
acres and homestead"
Harry also, laughed, and swore he only jump
ed for the fun of the thing. Harry was rat
tle-brained fellow, but never thought of matri-
mony. He loved to walk 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 ifhe was
sure of winning.
"Charly Simms, fifteen feet and half
THurrah for Charley! Charleyn VIM
cried the crowd good humoredly. Charley
Simms was the cleverest fellow in the world.
His mother advised MIN to, stay at home, and
told him if he ever won wife, she would fall
in love with his good temper, rather than his
legs. Charley, 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 ofthe leapers had yet clear
ed twenty feet.
"Now," cried the villagers, "lets see Henry
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 An
nette, 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 for
ward, upon the face of Annette, as if to catch
therefrom that spirit and assurance which the
occasion called for. Returning the encourag.
ing glance which she met his own with proud
smile upon his lip, he bounded forward.
"Twenty-one feet and halfp shouted the
multitude, repeating the announcement of one
of the judges, "twenty.one feet and half
Harry Carroll forever Annette and Harry
Hands, caps and handkerchiefs waved over the
heads of the spectators, and the eyes of the de-
lighted Annette sparkled with joy.
When Henry Carroll moved to his station to
strive forthe prize tall gentlemanly young man,
in military undress frock coat, who had rode
up to the inn, dismounted and joined the spec.
tators, unperceived, while the contest was 60
ing on, stepped suddenly forward and with
knowing eye measured deliberately the space
accomplished by the last leaper His hand
some face and easy address attracted the eyes
of the villagemaidens, 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, remar-
king the manner in which the eye of the stran-
ger scanned the arena. "If you can leap be-
yond Harry Carroll, you'll beat the best man i'll
the colonies" The truth of this observation
was assented to by general murmur.
els it for mere amusement you are pursuing
this pastime!" inquired the youthful stranger,
" or is there prize for the winner!"
tl,., l,yol;oof opd ,voo lfhiacf nf Our
village maidens, is to be the reward OF the VIC
tor cried one of the judges.
els the list open to alg"
cali young SIR" replied the father of An
nette with interest, his youthful ardor rising as
he surveyed the proportions of the straight
limbed young stranger. She is the bride of him
who outeaps Henr; Carroll. If you will try
YOU are free to do -n. But let me tell you,
Harry Carroll has 40 wife in Virginia. Here is
my daughter sir look at her and make your tri-
all"
The officer glanced upon the trembling mai.
den about to be offered on the altar of her ia
theirs unconqucrable monomania with an ad-
miring eye. The poor girl looked at Harry,
who stood near with troubled brow and an
cry eye, and she cast upon the competitor an
implorng g lance.
Placing his coat in the hands of one Of the
judges, he drew sash he wore beneath it tight
er around his waist and taking the appointed
stand, made apparently without effort the bound
that was to decide the happiness or misery of
Harry and Annette.
"Twenty two feet and an inch1 p shouted the
Judge The announcement was repeated with
surprise by the spectators, who crowded a.
round the victor, filling the air with congratu-
lations not unminged however, with loud muir
murs from those who were more nearly inter-
ested in the happiness ofthe lovers.
The old man approached, and grasping his
hand exultingly called him his son and said he
felt prouder Of him than if he were prince.
Physical activity and strength were the old
leaper's true patterns of nobility.
Resumng his coat, the victor sought with
his eye the fair prize he had, although 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 prided himself as unrivall.
ed, while he hated him for his success.
"Annette, my pretty prize" said the victor,
taking her passive hand. I" have won you fair
ly" Annette's cheek became paler than mar.
| ble she trembled like an asDen leaf, and clung