Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-07-02

er's phraseology, twenty-one feet and one
inch. The signal was given, and by lot tht
young men stepped into the arena
edward Grayson, seventeen feet " crlet
one of the Judges. The youth had done hi
utmost. He was pale, intellectual stu
dent. But what had intellectto to DO in sucf
an arena? Without look at the maiden
he left the ground.
"Dick Boulden, nineteen feet" Dick
with laugh, turned away and replaced hi;
coat
Harry Preston, nineteen feet and three
inches" "Well done, Harry Preston J!
shouted the spectators "you have trieo
hard for the acres and homestead" Harry
also laughed and said that he only jumped
for the fun of the thing. Harry was rat
tle-brained fellow, but never thought OF mat.
rimony. He loved to talk, and walk, and
romp with Annette, but sober marriage nev-
er came into his head. He only jumped
for the fun of the thing. He would not have
said so if he had been sure of winning.
"Charley Simms, fifteen feet and halt !!
"Hurrah for Charley Charley'll win =
cried the crowd, good humoredly. Charley
Simms was the cleverest fellow in the world
His mother had advised him to stay at home,
and told him that if he ever won wife, she
should fall in love with his good temper
rather than his legs; Charley, however
made the trial of the latters 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
Harry 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 Annette, as if they heartily wished
him success. Harry stepped to his post
with firm tread His eye glanced with
confidence around upon the villagers, ano
rested, before he bounded forward, upon the
face of Annette as if to catch therefrom
that spirit of assurance which the occasion
calledfor. Returning the encouraging glance
with which she met his own, with proud
smile upon his lip he bounded forward
s.Twenty-one feet and half! Henry Car
roll forever Annette and Harry" Hats,
CAPS, and handkerchiefs, waved over the
heads of the spectators, and the eyes of the
delighted Annette sparkled with JOY:
When Henry Carroll moved to his sta
ton to strive for the prize, tall, gentle
manly, Young man, in military undress
frock coat, who had rode up to the inn, dis
mounted, and joined the spectators upper
ceived while the contest was going on, step
ped suddenly forward, and with knowing
eve deliberately measured the space accom-
plished by the last leaper. He was stran,
ger in the village. His handsome face and
easy address attracted the eyes OF the VII
lage madens, and his manly and slnewy
frame, in which symmetry and strength
were happily united, called forth the adml-
ration of the young men.
"Mavhap, sir stranger, you think you can
beat that" said one of the bystanders, re-
marking the manner in which the eye of the
stranger scanned the arena. "lt you can
leap beyond Henry Carroll, you'll beat the
first man in the colonies" The truth OF
this observation was assented to by gen.
eral murmur.
"Is it for amusement you are pursuing
this pastime?' inquired the youthful stran-
ger; cor is there prize for the winner"
"Annette, the loveliest and wealthlest OF
our village maidens, is to be the reward OF
the victor" said one the judges.
care the lists open for all p
"All, young sir" replied the father of
Annette, with interest, his youthful ardor
rising as he surveyed the proportions of the
straig ght-lmbed young stranger. "She is
the bride of him who outleaps Harry, Car
roll. If you will try you are free to DO so;
but let me tell you, Harry Carroll has no
rival in Virginia. Here is my daughter,
sir, look at her and make trial" The Of
ficer glanced upon the trembling maiden
about to be offered on the altar OF her tath-
er's unconquerable monomania, with an ad-
miring look. The poor girl looked at Har-
ry. who stood near with troubled brow,
and then cast upon the new competitor an
imploring glance.
Placing his coat in the hands of one ofthe
Judges he drew sash he wore beneath 1t
tighter round his waist, and taking the ap-
pointed stand, made, apparently without
any effort the bound that was to decide the
happiness Or misery Of Harry and Annette;
"Twenty-two feet and an inch y shouted
the Judge. The announcement was repeat
ed with surprise by the spectators, who
crowded around the victor, filling the air
with congratulations, not unmingled, how
ever. with loud muImurs from those who
were more nearly interested III rne raso &c
the 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 patents Of nobility.
Resuming his coat, the victor sought with
his eyes 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 morti-
fed, adminng the superiority Of the stran-
ger in an exercise in which he prided him.
self as unrivalled, while he hated him for
his success.
"Annette, my pretty prize, said the VIC
tor, taking her passive hand, 81 have won
you fairly" Annette's cheek became paler
than marble, she trembled like an aspen
leaf, and clung closer to her father, while
her dropping eyes sought the form of her
lover. His brow grew dark at the stran-
gers language. 81 have won you, my pref
ty flower, to make you bride-tremble not
so Violently mean not myself, however
proud l might be-" he added with gallantry,
''to wear so fair gem next my heart. Per-
haps," and he cast his eyes inquiringly,