Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1850-06-05

ouS tASAAs
81 The signal was given, and BY lot ths
3young men Stepped into the arana.
5 Edward son, seventeen feel, criet
zone o the Judges. The youth had done
4his utmost He was a pale intellectual
Sstudent, But what had intellect to do ii
Ssuch an arena? Without lookat the
Smaiden he left the ground.
"Diek Boulder, nineteen feet" Dick
with a laugh turned away, and replaced
ahis coat.
q "Harry Preston, nineteen feet and three
Einches." "Well done, Harry Preston,''
Shouted the spectators, "you have triee
Ahard for the acres and homestead"
4 Harry also laughed, and swore he only
Bumped for the fun of the thing. Harry
4was rattle Drained fellow, but never
Thought of matrimony. Heloved to walk
$and talk, and romp with Annette, but SO.
aber marriage never came into his head
$He only jumped for the fun of the thing,
aHe would not have said so, if heWas
$sure of winning.
Z. Charley Simms, fifteen feet and half
Hurah for Charley! Charle5ql VIM
&cried the crowd good-humoredly. Char.
2ley Simms was the cleyerest fellow in the
$world. His mother had advised him to
Sstay at home, and told him if he everwon
wife, she would fallin love with his good
gtemper, rather than his legs. Charley,
showever, made the trial Of the latteTsca-
capabilities and lost. Many refused to enter
: the lists altogether. Others made the
ztrial, and only one of the leapers had yet
acleared twenty feet.
"Now," cried the villagers, "lefsrsee
Henry Carroll. He ought to beat this )"
and every one appeared, as they called to
mind the mutual love of the last competi.
Stor and the sweet Annette, as if they hear
5tily wished his success.
Henry stepped to his post with a firm
stread. His eye glanced with confidence
around upon the villagers and rested, be:
fore he bounded forward, upon the face
: of Annette, as if to catch therefrom that
spirit. and assurance which the occasion
1calIed for. Returning fhe encouraging
glance Wifth.wlHch she met his own, with
IA proud smile upon his lip, he bounded
forward.
Twenty:one feet and-a halfp shouted
Ethe multitude, repeating the announce
ment Of one of the judges, "twenty-one
fleet aud half. Harry Carroll forever.
annette and Harry" Hands, caps, and
handkerchiefs waived over the heads of
THE spectators, and the eyes of the delight
I ed Annette sparkled with Joy.
When Henry Carroll moved to his sta
ation to strive for the prize, tall, gentle.
manly young man, in military undress
efrock coat, who had rode up to the inn,
Adismounted, and joined the spectators, un-
3perceived, while the contest was going
ION, stepped suddenly forward, and with a
knowing eye measured deliberately the
sspace accomplished by the last leaper.--
HE was stranger in the village. His
Handsome face and easy address attracted
Sthe eyes of the village maidens, and his
manly and sinewy frame, in which sym
smetry and strength were happily united,
acalled forth the admiration of the young
smen. >.
Mayhap, sir, stranger, you think You
gcan beat that" said one Of the bystand-
Sers, remarking the manner in which the
sstranger scanned the arena. off you can
Heap beyond Harry Carroll, you'll beat the
abest man in the colonies" The truth of
sthis observation was assented to by a gene.
! aral murmur.
a Isit for mere amusement you are pur.
asuing this pastime9" inquired the youthful
SSstranger, or is there prize for the win.
Sner z"
" Annette, the lovliast and wealthiesl
aof our village maidens, is to be the reward
&of the VICTOR" cried one of the judges. s
care the lists open to all?"
g All young, sirw replied the father OF
j Annette, with interest; his youthful ardoi
arising as he surveyed the proportions of
Sthe straight lilnbed young stranger. "She
Sis the bride Of him who outleaps Henry
aCarrou. If you will try you are free te
ado so. Bullet me tell you, Harry Carroll
Shas no wife in Virginia. Here is my
sdaughter, sir, look at her and make you
atrial." The officer glanced upon the
maiden about to be offered or
1.-THE altar of her fathers unconquerable
monomania with an admiring eye. Tht
apoor girl looked at Harry, who stood neal
with a troubled brow and angry eye, ane
Sthen cast upon the neg competitor al
glance. I
4 Placing his coat in the hands of one o.
8the judges, he drew a sash he wore be
Hneathit tighter around his waist, and ia
fixing the appointed stand, made, apparentl.
8without effort, the bound that was to de
scide the happiness or misery of Harr,
Sand Annette,
4 "Twenty.two feet and an inch!'
8shouted the Judge. The announcement
Twas repeated with surprise by the spec
Stators, who, crowded around the victor
&G1ing the with congratulations, not un
8iningled, however, with loud murmur
sfrom those who were more nearly inter
D. ~