Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-07-12

the leaper's phrase, twcnty-one 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 utmost. He was a pale, intellectual
student. But what had intellect TO do in
such an arena? Without look at the
maiden, he left the ground.
"Dick Boulden, nineteen feet" Dick
with laugh turned away, and replaced
his coat.
"l1arry Preston, nineteen feet three in
ches." "Weil done, Harry Preston,"
shouted the spectators, "you have tried
pretty hard for the acres and homestead"
Harry also laughed, and said he only
jumped for the fun of the thing.
"Charles Simms, fifteen feet and half"
"Hurray for Charley Charlev'll win -
cried the crowd, good humoredly.
Charley Smms was the cleverest fellow
in the world. His mother had advised
him to stay at home, and told him that if
he ever won a wife, she would fall in love
with his good temper, rather than his legs.
Charley, however, made the trial of the
latter capabilities. Many refused to enter
the list altogether. Others made the trial,
and only one had as yet cleared twenty
! feet.
"Now," said the villagers, sslet us see
Henry Carroll. He ought to beat this
and every one appeared, as they called to
mind the mutual love of the last compet-
tor and the sweet Annette, as if they hear
tily wished his success.
Henry stepped to his post with firm
tread His eye glanced with confidence
| around the villagers and rested, before he
bounded forward, upon the face of An
nette, as if TO catch therefrom that spirit
, and assurance which the occasion called
for. Returning the encouraging glance
with which she met his own, with a proud
smile upon his lip, he bounded.
"Twenty-one feet and half!' shouted
the multitude, repeating the announcement
of the judges, 'twenty-one feet and half.
Harry Carroll forever. Annette and Har-
ry." Hands, caps and handkerchieis wa
we'd over the heads of the spectators, and
the eyes of the delighted Annette sparkled
with Joy.
When Harry Carroll had moved to bis
station to strive for the prize, tall, gen
tIemanly young man in a military undress
frock coat, who mad ridden up to the inn,
diSmounteG and Joined the spectators un-
perceived, while the contest was going on,
stepping suddenly forward, with a know
ing eye, measured the space accomplished
by the last leaper. He was stranger in
the village.
His handsome face and easy address at
tracted the eyes of the village maidenS,
and his manly and sineWy frame, in which
symmetry and strength We're happily uni
ted, called forth the admiration of the
young men.
''Mayhap, sir stranger, you think you
can beat that" said one of the byStanders,
remarking, the manner in which the eye
of the stranger scanned the arena. sIf
you can leap beyond Harry Carroll, you'll
beat the best man in the colonies"
The truth of the observation was assent
ed to by general murmur.
''ls it for mere amusement you are pur-
suing this pastime," inquired the youthful
stranger, ''or is there prize to the win
ner 2"
"Annette, the lovelest and wealthiest
of our village maidens, is to be the reward
Of the VICTOR" cried one Of the Judges.
"Are the lists open to all %
GAN, young sir !" replied the father Of
Annette, with interest, his youthful ardor
rising as he surveyed the proportions Of
the straight limbed young stranger. "She
is the bride of him who outleaps Harry
Carroll. 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 your
trial"
The young officer glanced upon the
trembling maiden about to be offered OH
the altar of her fathers unconquerable mo-
nomania, with an admirng eye. The
poor girl looked at Harry, who stood near
with troubled brow and an angry eye,
and then cast upon the new competitor an
imploring look,
Placing his coat in the hands of one of
the Judges, he drew sash he wore beneath
it tighter around his waist, and taking the
appointed stand, made, apparently without
effort, the bound that was to decide the
happiness or misery OF Henry aud Annette.
"rwenty-two feet and one inch" shout
ed the Judge. The announcement was re-
peated with surprise by the spectators,
who crowded around the victor, filling the
air with congratulations not unmingled,
however, with loud murmers from those
who were more nearly interested in the
happiness of the lovers.
The old man approached, and grasped
his hand eXultngly, called him his son,
and said he felt prouder OF him than if he
were a prince. Physical activity and
strength were the old leaders true patents
of nobility.
Resuming his coat, the victor sought
with his eye the fair prize he, although
nameless and unknown, so fairly won.-
She leaned on her father, pale and dis
| tressed.
Her lover stood aloot, gloomy and NOR
tilted, admitting the superiority of the