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

O"St uPoh 'ne ncW GonptIllor an lnplOE-
ing glance.
Placing his coat in the hands of one of
the judges. he drew sash he wore be-
meath it tighter around his waist, and TAX
ing the appointed stand. apparently with
out effort, made the bound that was to de-
eide tho happiness or misery Of Harry and
II Annette. lNi
Twenty-Five feet and an inchv shouted
the judges. The announcement WAS re-
peated with surprise by the spectators, who
crowded around tho victor filing the air
with congratulations, not unmingled, how
ever, with loud murmurs from those who
were more nearly interested in the happi-
ness of the lovers.
The old man approached, and grasping
his hand exultingly, called him his son,
and said he felt proudor Of him than if he
were prince. The physical activity and
strength were the old leaper's true patents
Of nobility.
Resuming his coat, the victor sought
with his eye the fair prize he had. al
though nameless and unknown, so fairly
won. She leaned upon her fathers ann,
pale and distressed. it.
Her lover stood aloef, gloomy and NOR
} tilted, admiring the superiority of the
stranger in an exercise at which he prided
himself as unrivalled, whilst he hated him
for his success.
Annette, my pretty prize, said the VIC
tor, taking her passive hand, L have won
! you fairly Annette's cheek became pal
sr than marble; she trembled like an aspen
leaf. and clung closer to her father. while
the dropping eye sought the form Of her
lover. His brow grew dark at the stran-
, gor's language.
= i have won you, my pretty flow 10
make you q bride! Trsmbls not so vio-
G lcn!ly-I mean not myself. however proud
| might be-. he added. with gallanlry,' 'te
! wear SO fair gem nOar my heart. Per
haps, and he cast his eye round inquiring-
7 ly. while the current of life leapcd joyfully
y to her brow, and murmur Of surprise ran
+ through the crowd-'perhaps there is some
favored youth amoug tho competitors who
, has higher claim to this jewel. Young
. sir, he continued, turning 10 the surpris-
). ed Harry, 'melhinks you were victor in
. the lis: before me. l stove not fer the
maiden. lhou.h one coull not strive well
fer fairer, hut from lore for the manly
: sport in which | SAW you engaged. You
= arc the victor. and with tho permission of
S this worthy assembly, receive from my
j hands the prize you have SO we'll and so
r honorably won.'
s Thsyouth sprsng forward and grasped
: his hand with gratitude. and the next mo
3 ment Annette was weeping with pure joy
o upon his shoulders. The welkin rang
o with the acclamations Of tho delighted vii
: layers, and amid the temporary excitement
produced by this set. the stranger with
s drew f,om the crowd, mounted his horse.
, and spurred at brisk trot through the vii
o lsge.
i That night Harry and Annette were
+ married. and the health Of the mysterious
and nobls-hesrted stranger was drank in
n overhowing bumpers Of the rustic bever-
e age.
J. In tho process Of time thero were born
If unto the marrying pair sons and daughters,
: and Harry Carroll had become Colonel
d Henry Carroll Of the revolutionary army.
e One evening. having just returned home
d after hard campaign, he was sitting with
his family en- the gallery of his handsome
d country house, when an advance courier
1t rode up and announced the approach oi
1t General Washington and suite, informing
l. him that he should crave his hospitality
5, for tho night. The necessary directions
Is were given in reference to the household
3 preparations, and Col. Carroll. ordering
his horse, rode forward to meet and es
A. cort to his house the distinguished guest
l. whom he had yet never seen, although
t, serving in the same widely extended
j, army.
- That evening, at the table, Annette, nov
D. become the digni6ed Mrs Carroll coult
v not keep her eyes from the face Of her il
20 lustrious visitor. Every moment or TIVE
As she would steal glance at his command
10 ing features, and half doubtingly. half-as
of suredly, shake her head and look again, I,
n be still more puzzled. Her absence o
III mind and embarrassment at length becam
L. evident to her husband, who inquired af
fectionately if she were i'll.
~ L suspect, Colonel, said the General
$, who had been some time, with quiet
Of meaning smile, observing the lady's curl
,u GUS and puzzled survey of his featurs-
at that Mrs: Carroll thinks she recognizes il
III me an old acquaintance; and he smile'
n with mysterious air as he gazed upol
both alternately.
r. The Colonel stared, and faint memor,
ul Of the past seemed to be reviewed as h
2 gazed, while the lady rose impulsivel
Of from her chair, bending eagerly forwart
of over the tea urn, with clasped hands an,
eye of intense eager inquiry, fixed full up
on him, stood for moment with her lip
Of parted as if she would speak.
he Pardon me, my dear madam-parlo
It. me, Colonel; must put an end to thi
de scene. have become, by diut of cam
ou fare and hard usage, too unwieldly TO lea
let again twenty-five feet and one inch, eve
in for so fair a bride as wot Of ..a"
ok The recognition, with the surprise, de
a light and happiness that followed, are le
he to the imagination Of the reader. ae'
he General Washington was indeed th
To- handsome young "leaper" whose myster
or Gus appearance and disappearance in IL
tn native village Of the lovers, is still trad
en- tionary. and whose claim to "a sabstanti