The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-06-12

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"Charley Simms, fifteen fee, and half
I"Hurrah for Charley! Charley III win |!
cried the crowd good humoredly. Charlie,
Smms was the cleysres. fellow 10 tn,
world. His mother had advised hin to sta,
at home, and told him If be ever won /
wife, she would fall ia love with bis goot
temper, rather. than bis legs. Charlie,
however madc trial Of the lstter's capa bill
ties and lost. Many refused to enter ibe
list altogether. Others made the trial, ane
lonly one had as yet cleared twenty feet.
SNOW" cried the villagers. "lets set
Henry Carol. He ought 10 beat this, ;
and every one appeared, a. they called t
mind the mutual love ofthe last competitol
and the sweet Annette, as if they. hssrtil,
wished bis a0ccess. .s,.
Henry stepped to bis post with firn
tread. His eye glanced with confidence
around upon the villagers and rested, be
fore be bounded forward, upon the face O
Annette, No if 10 catch iherefrom that spir.
Fit md assurance which tho occasion called
Cor. Returning the encouraging glance
with which she met bis own, with proud
smile upon his lip, he bounded forward.
"Twentx.one feet and balf!''' shouted
The multitude. repeating the announcemenI
4 one Of the judges, "twen.v-one feet and
!, half. Harry Carol forever. Annette
md Harry" Hands. csps and hsndker.
chiefs waved over the heads of the specta
tors. and the EYES ofihe delighted Annette
.sparkled with ioy.,
When Harry Carol moved to his sta.
tion 10 strive for the prize, tall gentle
manly young man in military undress
frock-coat who had ridden up TO the inn,
dismounied and Joined the spectators, IN
perceived, while the contest was going on,
stepped suddenly forward and with sknow.
ing eye measured deliberately the space
accomplished by the last leaper. He was
a stranger IN the vilnge. His handsome
and easy address attracted the eyes q the
village maidens, and his maryland sinewy
frame, in which symmetry and strength
we're happily united, called forth the admi
ration Of the young men.
"Ma, hap, sir stranger, YOU think you
can beat thH," said one Of the bystanders,
remarking the manner in which the eye Of
the stranger scanned the arena. "f you
can leap beyond Harry Carol, you'il beat
,he beat man in the Colonies" The truth
of this observation WIS nssented to by q
general Tnurmur r ta
sis il for mere amusement you are pur.
suing this pss,ime!" inquired the youthful
stranger, Cor is there prize to the win
ner?" 8 set
"Annette, the loveliest and wealthiest ol
our village maidens, is to be the reward Of
the VICTOR" cried one Of the judges.
'Arc the lists open to all?' ~
Gan. young sir!" replied the father oi
Annette, with interest, his youthful ardoi
arising as he surveyed the proportions oi
the straight limbed young stranger. "She
is the bride of him who out-leaps Henry
Carol. lf you will try, you are free to do
so. But let mo tell you, Harry Cnrrol has
no rival in Virginia. Here 10 my daughter,
sir: look at her, aud make your trial."
The young officer glanced upon the
trembling maiden about to be offered on
the altar Of her fathers unconquersble mo-
namnnia, with an admiriog eye. The poor
girl looked at Harry, who stood near with
troubled brow and angry eye, end then
cast upon the new competitor an implornp
look.
Placing his coat in the hands Of one Of
the Judges, he drew sash he wore beneath
il tighter around his waist, and taking the
appoir,ed stand, m,de, apparently withon,
effort, the bound that was TO decide the
happiness or misery Of Henry and An
neite.
"Twentv.two feet and one inch!'' shout,
ed the Judge. The announcement was re
p;eated with surprise by the spectators. WIZ
crowded around the victor, filling the ar
with congratulations, not unmingled how
ever, with loud murmurs from those who
we're more nearly interested in the happi
ness of the lovers.
The cid man approached, and grasp'ns
his hand exnl,inplv called him bis son, and
sid he felt pronder Of him thrn if he were
a prince. PHYSICAL sctivits and strength
we're The old leaper''s true patents ot no.
hiiiiv.
Resuming his coat, the victor songhi
with his eve the fair prize he had. although
name|ess and unknown, so fairly won
She lea ned On her father pale and distress
cd.
Her lover stood aloof, gloomy md morii
fed, admiring the superiority ofthe stran
ger In an exercise in which he prided him
aeIf an unrivalled, while he hated him tor
his success.
"Annette, my pretty prize" said tn
victor, taking her passive hand-"l have
won you fairly" Annette's cheek became
paler than msrble; she trembled like an
aspen leaf chung closer to her father, while
the dropping eye sought the form Of her
lover Ills brow grew dark at the stran
gers language.
81 have won you, my pretty Hover, to
mike YOU bride !--tremble not so violent.
ly-l mean not for myself, however proud
I might be-" he added with gallsntry, "ft
wear so fair gem next my heart. Per
hsps," and he cnst his eyes around inqui'
Eringly, while the current Of life leaped JOY
fully to her brow, and murmur Of surprise
ran through the crowd-"perhaps there i
I. A4 X ~ 49,