American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1856-01-03

between him and The lair Aunette. Car
roll had won the reputation OF being the
"best leaper," and in country where
such athletic achievements were the sine
qua non of a mans cleverness. this was no
ordinary honor. In a contest like the pres.
en-: he had therefore, every advantage over
his fellow athle.
The arena allotted for this hymenial con-
test was level space in front Of the vii
lage inn, and near the centre Of grass
plat. reserved in the midst Of the village,
denominated the "Green." The verdure
was quite worn off at this place by prev-
Gus exercises of similar kind, and hard
surface of sand, more beftting the pur-
pose for which it was 10 be used, supplied
its place.
The father Of the lovely, blushing. and
withal, happy prize, (for she we'll knew
who would VIM with three other patri-
archal villagers, were the judges appointed
to decide upon the claims Of the several
competitors. The last time Carroll tried
his skill in the exercise, he cleared to
use the leaper's phraseology, twenty feet
and one inch.
| hS HlNoHI Auu uJ Nv huo
young men stepped into the arena.
Edward Grayson, seventeen feet" sri-
ed one ofths judges. The youth had done
his utmost. He was pale. intellectual
student. But what had intellect to do in
such an arena? Withouta look at the ma
den, he left the ground.
"Dick Boulden, nineteen feet" Dick,
with laugh, turned away and replaced his
coat.
Harry Preston. nineteen feet and three
inches" We'll done, Harry Preston!'
shouted the spectators, you have tried
hard for the acres aud b3mas,ead.'
Harry also laughed, AMI swore he only
jumped for The fun Of the thing. Harry
was ttle-bsained fellow. but hs never
thought of matrmony. He loved 10 walk
and talk and luigi AMI romp with Annette.
but sober mariias never entered his head.
Ie only jumpe for the fun of the thing.
He would not hare said 80 il he WAS sure
Of winning.
Charley Simms. fifteen feet and half
'IIurrah for Charley! Charley'll win!'
cried the crowd. good humoredly. Char
ley Simms was one of the cloverest fellows
in the world. His mother had advised
him to stay at home. and told him. he ever
won wife, she would fall in love with his
) good temper rather than his legs. Char
l'y. however, made the trial OF The latter's
capabilities, and lost Many refused to
enter the list altogether; others made the
trial, and only one Of the leapers had clear
ed twenty feet.
Now cried the anxious villagers. lets
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.
, Henry stepped to his post with firm
: tread His eye glanced with confidence
5 around upon the villagers. and rested, be-
, fore he bounded forward. upon the face o.
Annette, as if to catch therefrom that spir'
7 it and assurance 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 half shouted
the multitude, repeating the announcement
of ons of the judges;-'twenty -ons fee
t and half! Harry Carroll forsver!-An
: ne.te and Harry forever!' Hands, caps
F.. and handkerehsfs waved over the hsad'
r of the spectators, and the eyes of the de
7 lighted Annette sparkled with Joy.
: When Harry Carroll moved to his sta
: 'ion to start for the prize. tall, gentleman
Z, ly young man. in amlitary undress coat
1 who had road up TO the inn, dismounted
S an joined the spectators unperceiyed.-
4 While the contest was going on, he step
Y pad suddenly up forward, and with know
0 ing eye. measured deliberately the spac'
Q accomplished by the last leaper. lie wa
r a stranger in the village. His handsom
face and easy address attracted the eyes 0
r the village maidens.a and his manly and sin
n envy frame. in which symmetry & strength
e were happily united, called forth the ad
Y miration ofthc young men.
5 'Mayhap. sir stranger, you think yo'
t can beat that?' said one Of the by ISLANDERS
!, remarking the manner in which the eye O
n the stranger scanned tho arena. III yo
Q can leap beyond Harry Carroll, you'll bea
# the best man in the colonies The trut
It Of this observation was assented by gen
1 eral murmur.
v is it for mere amusement you are pur
J. suins4his rastime?' inquired tho youthful
Q stranger, 'or is there prize for the winner?
h Annette. the loveliest and wealthiest Z
y our village maidens. is to bo tho reward G
: the victor, said one of tho judges.
Q Are the lists open to alp
: AN, young SIR replied the father Q
J. Annette, his youthful ardor rising as Ii
o surveyed the proportions Of the straight
: limmed young stranger. She is the brid
of he who outleaps Harry Carroll. lfyo
c will try, you are free to do SO. But, l.
a me tell you, Harry Carroll has no wife
c Virginia. Here is my daughter, sir; loo
d at her and make your trial.
g The young officer glanced upon th
r trembling maiden about to be offered on th
n altar of her fathers unconquerable mono
!, mania, with an admiring eye, The poe
q girl looked at Harry, who stood near wit
!. a troubled brow and angry eve, and the