Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-01-23

marry my dau ghter without jumping for it. -
You understand me boys. There's the green.
and here's Annette he added, taking his
daughter, who stood timidly behind him, by the
hand, now the one that jumps the furtherest
on dead level shall marry Annette this
very night a-s
This unique address was received by the
young men with applause. And many a youth
as he bounded gaily forward to the arena of tr-
al, cast glance of anticipated victory back up
on the lovely object of village chivalry. The
maidens left their looms and quilting frames.
the children their noisy sports, the slaves their
labors, and the old men their arm-chairs and
long pipes, to witness and triumph in the sue
cess of the victor. All prophesied and manv
wished that it would be young Carroll. He
was the handsomest and best humered youth in
the county, and all knew that strong and mu.
tual attachment existed between him and the
fair Annette. Carroll had won the reputation
of being the best leaper, and in a county where
such athletic achievements were the SINE QUA
NON of a mans cleverness, this was no ordinary
honor In contest like the present, he had
therefore, every advantage over his fellow
athlete.
The arena allotted for this hymenial contest,
was level place in front of the village inn.
and near the centre of grass plat, reserved in
hn mi Sf nf th.,, ll,rx 4 I
The verdure was quite worn off at this place
by previous exercises of similar kind, and a
hard surface Of sand more befttingly for the
purpose 10 which it was to be used, supplied its
place.
The father of the lovely, blushing, and hap
py prize, (fcr she well knew who would win. !
with three other pairiarchal villagers were the
Judges appointed to decide upon the claims OF
the several competitors. The last time Carroll
tried his skill in this exercise, he cleared, to
use the leaper's phraseology-twenty-o feet
and one inch
The signal was given, and by lot the young
men stepped into the arena.
Edward Grayson, seventeen feet, cried one
Of the judges. The youth had done his Mt
most. He was pale, intellectual student
But what had intellect 10 do in such an arena
Without a look at the maiden be left the
ground.
Dick Bonlden, nineteen feet Dick with a
laugh turned away, and replaced his coat.
Harry Preston, nineteen feet and three inch
es.' Well done Harry Preston shouted the
spectators, you have tried hard for the acres
and homestead
Harry also laughed, and swore he only Jump
ed for the sport of the thing. Harry was a
raitle-braned fellow, but never thought of mat
rimonv. He loved to walk and talk, 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, if he
was sure of winning.
Charles Simms, fifteen feet and half
l1urrah for Charley Charley'll win = cried
the crowd good-humoredy. Charley Simms
was the cleverest fellow in the world. His
mother had advised him 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 tc
enter The lists altogether, others made the trial
and only one of the leapers had as yet cleared
twenty feet.
Now cried the villagers, let's see Henry
Carroll. He ought 10 beat this, and every one
appeared, as they called to mind the muiua
love of the last competitor and the swce
Annette, as though they heartily wished hi
success.
Henry stepped to his post with firm tread
His eye glanced with confidence around upol
the villagers and rested, before he bounded for
ward, upon the face of Annette, as if to ca,cl
theretrom that spirit and assurance which tn
occasion called for. Returning the enconrag
ing glance with which she met his own, with
proud smile upon his lip, he bounded for
ward.
'Twenty-one feet and half shouted tn
multitude, repeating the announcement of on
of the Judges, 'twenty-one feet and a half
Harry Carroll forever. Annette ard Harry. :
Hands, caps and handkerchiefs waved over tn
heads of the spectators, and the eyes of tn
delighted Annette sparkled with Joy.
When Harry Carroll moved to his station t
] Str far hn oil ~,
man in military undress trock-coat who ha
ridden up to the inn, dismounted and joined III
spectators, unperceved, while the contest wa
going on, stepped suddenly forward, and with
knowing eye, measured deliberately the spac
accomplished by the last leaper. He was
stranger in the village. His handsome fac
and easy address attracted the eyes of the Vi
lage maidens, and his manly and sinewy fran
in which symmetry and strength were happil
united, called forth the admiration of the youn
men.
Mayhap, sir, stranger, you think you ca
beat that said one of the bystanders, remark
ing the manner in which the eye of the strar
ger scanned the area. If you can leap bt
yond Harry Carroll, you'll beat the best ma
in the colonies The truth of this oil
servaiion was assented to by general mu
mur.
Is it for mere amusement you are pursuin
this pastime I inquired the youthful strange
or is there prize for the winner!"
Annette, the loveiest and wealthiest Of OF
village maidens, is to be the reward of the VII