Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-29

| lHe Liutudi ioFc Vi the CoIupetiIor ana lne
sweet Annette, as if they heartily 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 Annette,
as if to catch therefrcm that spirit and as
surance which the occasion called for
Returning the encouraging glance with
which she met his own, with proud smile
upon his lip, he bounded forward.
Twenty one feet and a half" shouted
the multitude. repeating the announcement
Of the judges, "twenty-one feet and a half
Henry Carroll forever. Annette and Har-
ry." Hands, caps, and handkerchiefs
waved over the heads of the spectators, and
the eyes of the delighted Annette sparkled
with joy.
When Henry Carroll movedto his sta
ton to strive for the prize tall gentleman
y looking young man in military undress
frock coat, who had ridden up to the inn,
dismounted and joined the spectators, un-
perceived, while the contest was going on,
he stepped suddenly forward, with a
"knowing eye" measured deliberately the
space accomplished by the last leaper.
He was stranger in the village His
handsome face and easy address attracted
the eyes of the village maidens, and lis
manly and sinewy frame, in which syme-
try and strength were happily united, call
ed forth an 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 eyes of
the stranger scanned the arena. "If you
leap beyond Henry Carroll, you'll beat
the best man in the colonies" The truth
Of this observation was assented to by a
general murmur.
as it for mere amusement you are pur-
suing this pastime!" inquired the youthful
stranger, "or is there prize to the win
nerl"
"Annette, the lovelicst and wealthiest
of our village maidens is to be the re-
ward of the VICTOR" cried one of the judges.
care the lists open to alll"
"All, young sr!'' replied the father of
Annette, with interest, his youthful ardor
rising as he surveyed the proportions of
the straight lmbed young stranger "She
is the bride of him who outleaps Henry
Carroll. Ifyou viii try you are free to
do so. But let me tell you, Harry Carroll
has no rivalin 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 on
the alter of her fathers unconquerable mo-
nomania, with an admiring eye The poor
girl looked at Harry, who stood near with
"A troubled brow and anangry eyc,and then
cast upon the new competitor an imploring
look.
Phcing his coatn the ehands 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 and An
nette.
twenty-five feet and one inch!" shout
ed the judge. The announcement was
repeated with surprise by the spectators
who crowded around the victor, filling the
air with congratulations not unmingled,
however, with loud murmurs from those
who were mere interested in the happiness
ofthe lovers.
The old man approached, and grasping
his hand exultingly called him his son, and
said he felt prouder of him than ifhe were
prince. Physical activity and strength
were the old leapers true parents of nobil-
ity.
Resuming his coat, the victor sought
with his eyes the fair prize he had, al
though nameless and unknown, so fairly
won. She leaned on her father, pale and
distressed.
Her lover stood aloof gloomy and NOR
titled, admitting the superiority of the stran-
ger in an exercise which he prided himself
as unrivalled, while he hated him for his
success.
"Annette, my pretty prize, +" said the VIC
tor taking her passive hand-"I have won
you fairly" Annette's cheek became paler
than marble; she trembled like an aspen
leaf, clung closer to her father, while the
dropping eye sought the form of her lover.
His brow grew dark at the strangers Ian
guage.
81 have won you, my pretty flower, to
make you bride!-tremble not SO vio-
lently-I mean not for myself, however
proud l might be-" he added with gallantry,
''to wear so fair gem next to my heart
Perhaps" and he cast his eye around in
quiringly, while the current Of life leaped
joyiully to her brow, and murmur of
surprise ran through the crowd-"perhaps
RI ,r., sa,oo f,,,raJ ,-o,,.l, - Il -
competitors, who has higher claim to this
jewel. Young sir," he continued, turning
to the surprised Henry, "methinks you
were victor in the list before me. / strove
not for the maiden. though one could not
well strive for fairer; but from the love
for manly sport in which saw you engag-
ed You are the victor, and as such, with
permission of this worthy assembly, receive
from my hand the prize you have SO well
and hcnorably won"
The youth sprang ior-Taid and grasped
his hand with gratitude; and the next mo-
ment Annette was weeping for pure joy
upon his shoulders. The welkin wlung
with the acclamation Of the delighted vii
layers, and amid the temporary excitement
Prouuceu oy tnis dct, tue stranger WlthdreW
| from the crowd, mounted his horse, and
spurred at a brisk trot through the vii
lage.
That night Henry and Annette were
married, and the health of the mysterious
and noble-hearted stranger, was drunk in
overhowing bumpers of rustic beverage.
One evening, having just returned home
after hard campaign, he was sitting with
his family on the gallery of his handsome
country house. when an advance courier
rode up and announced the approach of
General Washington and suite, informing
him that he should crave his hospitality
for the night. The necessary directions