The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-06-25

of at this place by previous exercises Of a
similar kind, and surface Of sand more
beftting for the purpose for which it was
10 be used, supplied its place.
s9 The father Of the lovely, blushing, and
withal happy prize, (for she knew who
would win,) with three other patriarchal
villagers, were the judges appointed to de.
eide upon the claims Of the several com
petitors. The last time Carroll tried his
skill in this exercise, he .scleared," !" to use
the leaper's phrase, twenty-one feet and
one inch. 8 3 M .
The signal was given, and by lot the
young men stepped into the arena.
"Edward Grayson,s seventeen feet"
cried one of the judges. The youth had
done his utmost. lie was pale intellec.
tual student. But what had intellect to do
in such an arena? Without look at the
maiden he left the ground. .rstt
'Dick Boulden nineteen feet.'' Dick
with ailsugh turned away, and replaced
his coat d fs,f - 55sli6 II. sla
"Harry Preston, nineteen feet three
inches" ''Well done, Harry Preston,"
shouted the spectators, "you have tried
pretty hard for the acres and homestead" !"
Harry also laughed, and said he had only
jumped for the fun of the thing.
"Charley Simms, fifteen feet and half"
"Hurrah for Charley! Charley'll winl"
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 would fall in love
with his good temper, rather than his legs.
Charley, however, made trial Of the lat
ter capabilities. Many refused to enter
the list altogether. Others made the trial,
and only one as yet had cleared twenty
feet. w Vi Is 'a4,,,s s3f Yhi
SHOW" said the villagers, "let's see
Henry Carroll. He ought to beat this;"
and every one appeared, as they called TO
mind the mutual love of the last competi.
tor and the sweet Annette, as if they heart.
lily wished his success. ~@N .a&
2 Henry stepped to his post with firm
tread. His eve glanced with confidence
around the villagers and rested before he
forward, upon the face Of Annette,
as If to catch theretrom that spirit and as.
surance which the occasion called for.
Returning the encouraging glance with
which she met his own, with proud smile
on his lip, he bounded forward
"Twenty-one feet and half" shouted
themultitude, repeating the announcement
Of The judges, "twenty- -one feet and a half
Harry Carroll forever. Annette ann Har.
ry." Hands, caps and handkerchief
waved over the heads OF the spectators,
and the eyes ofthe delighted Annette spark
ed with joy. aq9a 5mzs 2 afy
e When Harry Carroll had moved to his
station to strive for the prize, tall, gentle
manly young man in military undress
rock coat, who had ridden UP to the Inn,
and joined the spectators un.
while the contest was going on,
stepping suddenly forward, with know
ing eye, measured deliberately the space
accomplished by the last leaper. He was
) strangerin the village. aaF
His handsome face and easy address
the eyes of the village maidens,
and his manly and sinewy frame, in which
symmetry and strength were haply united
called forth the admiration Of the young
men.
"Mayhap, sir, stranger, you think you
,an beat that" said one oftbe bystanders,
.emarking the manner in which the eye
If the stranger scanned the arena. If you
cap beyond Harry Carroll you'll beat the
best man in the colonies"
The truth of the observation was assent
I'd to by general murmur. !
z "Is it for mere amusement you are pur-
suing this past time!" inquired the youth.
ul stranger, "or is there a prize to the win.
ner?" 5 g
"Annette, the loveliest and wealthiest
,f'our village maidens, is to be the reward
,f the VICTOR" cried one Of the judges.
care the lists open to all?" ~
,"All, young sir" replied the father Of
Annette, with interest, his youthful ardor
Using as he surveyed the proportions of
he straight limbed stranger. "She is the
,ride of him who outleaps Harry Carroll
Il you will try, you are free to do SO. But
etrme tell you Harry Carroll has no rival
n Virginia. Here is my daughter, sir,
ook at her and make your trial.
The young officer glanced upon the
maiden about to be offered on
he alter of her fathers unconquerable
with an admiring eye. The
poor girl looked at Harry, who stood near
With troubled brow and angry eye, and
hen. cast upon the new competitor an i'm
,loring look. 5
Placing his coat in the hands Of one Of
he judges, he drew sash he wore beneath
1 tighter around his waist, and taking the
appointed stand, made apparently without
effort, tho bound that was to decide the
happiness or misery Of Henry and An
lette.
twenty-five feet and one inchl" shout
ID the judge. The announcement was
,s,sstx 4 - Al 49,