The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-08-20

advantage over his fellow athlete.
The arena allotted for this hymenial
contest was level space in front of the
village inn, and near the centre of a
grass plat, reserved in the midst of the
village, denominated the "green." The
verdure was quito worn off at this place
by previous exercises of similar kind,
and hard surface of sand, more be-
fttingly for the purpose to which it was
to be used, supplied its place.
The father of the lovely, blushing,
and withal happy prize, (for she well
knew who would win,) with three other
patriarchal villagers were the judges ap-
pointed to decide upon the claims of the
several competitors The last time Car
roll tried his skill in this exercise, he
cleared" to use the leaper's phrase
| ology-twenty-on 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 pale, intel
lectual student But what had intellect
TO do in snch an arena? Without look
at the maiden he left the ground.
Dick Boulder, nineteen feet" Dick
with laugh turned away, and replaced
his coat.
" Harry Preston, nineteen feet and
three inches" Well done, Harry
Preston" shouted the spectators, "you
have tried hard for the acres and home
stead"
Harry also laughed, and swore he only
jumped for the fun of the thing. Henry
was rattle Drained fellow, but never
thought Of matrimony. He loved to
walk and talk, and laugh aud romp with
Annette, but sober marriage never came
into his head, He only Jumped for the
fun Of the thing. lie would not have
said so, if he was sure of winning.
Charley Simms, fifteen feet and
half. Hurrah for Charley Charley'll
win !" cried the crowd good humoredly.
| Charley Simms was the cleverest fellow
in the world. lis mother had advised
him to stay at home, aud told him if he
ever gon wife, she would fall in love
with bis good temper, rather that lis
legs. Charley, however, made the trial
Of the latter's capabilities and lost
Many refused to euter the lists sltogeth-
er. Others made the trial, and only one
of the lcnpcrs had yet cleared twenty
feet.
"Now," cried the villagers, "let's
see Henry Carroll. lie ought to beat
thisi" and every one appeared, as they
called to mind the mutual love Of the
last competitor aud the sweet Annette,
as if they heartily wished his success.
Henry STEP ped to his post with a firm
tread. His eye glanced with confidence
around upon the villagers and rested, be-
fore he bounded forward, upon the face
of Annette, as if to catch therefrom
that spirit and assurance which the oc-
casion called for. Returning the en-
couragiug glance with which she met his
own, with proud smile upon his lip, he
bounded forward.
"TweDty one feet and half !'' shout
ed the multitude, repeating the all
nouncmeut of one of the judges, Given
ty one feet aud a half Harry Carroll
forever. Annette and Harry" Hands,
caps, and handkerchiefs waved over the
heads of the spectators, and the eyes of
the delighted Annette sparkled with
joy.
When Henry Carroll moved to his
station to strive for the prize, a tall,
gentlemanly young man, in military
| undress frock coat, who had rode up to
the inn, dismounted and joined the spec
tators, unperceiyed, while the contest
was going on, stepped suddenly forward,
and with knowing eye measured de-
liberately the space accomplished by the
last leaper. He was a stranger in the
| village. His handsome face and easy
address attracted the eyes of the village
maidens, and his manly and sinewy
| frame, in which symmetry and strength
were happily united, called forth the ad-
miration of the young men.
"Mayhap, sir stranger, you think you
can beat that" said one of the bystan-
ders remarking the manner in which the
eye of the stranger scanned the arena.
"If you can beat Harry Carroll, you'll
beat the best man in the colonies" The
truth of this observation was assented
to by a general murmur.
I" Is it for mere amusement you are
pursuing this pastime :? " inquired the
youthful stranger. " or is there a prize
for the winner?"
Annette, the ioveliest and wealth
lest of our village maidens, is to be the
reward of the VICTOR" cried one of the
judges.
care the lists open to all ?"
All, young sir" replied the father
of Annettee, with interest, his youthful
ardor rising as he surveyed the proper
> tions of the strait limbed young strang
er. She is the bride of him who out
} leaps Henry Carroll. If you will try
, you are free to do so. But let me tel