The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-07-02

Is The Inst open to
"AI, young. -2.14S replied tie father OF
Aonettr ~ft1 interest, his youthful ardor lsing
as h surveyed he proportions ot The straigbl
tialbej young stranger. sShe IS The bride of
MN who ouJIeaps Henry Carroll # you ny
Try, gou are free to DO 50. But. let me tell you
!lrnrg carroll has no equal in Virginia, Here
Is my daughter, sir book at her, aud make
yonr trial"
Tie officer glanced upon the trembling
maiden about 10 be offered upon the altar Of
her fathers monomaDia with an admir- ing eye.
The poor girl looked at Harry, who stood near
WITH troubled brow and an angry eye, and
then cast upon the new competitor an impIoripg
glance.
Placing his coat in the bands Of one Of the
Judges, he drew a sash he wore beneath it tight
er round his waist, and taking the appointed
stand, made, apparently without effort, the
bound that was TO decide the happiness or
misery oil Henry and Annette.
"Tweoiy-two feet and an inch :" shouted
the Judge. The shout was repeated with sur
prise by The Spectators, who crowded around
the victor, filling the air with congratulations,
not unnnglet, however, with loud murmnrs
from those who were more nearly interested in
the happiness OF the lovers.
The old man approached, and graspng his
aaad exuliingly, called him son, ana said bel
felt proudcr Of him than il he were prince,
Physical activity and strength were The ola
Ieaper's true patents Of mobility
Rrsaming his coat, the victor sought with
his eye The prize be had, although namel,ss and
unknown, SO fairly won. She leaned upon her
fathers arm, pale and distressed.
Her lover stood aIoof, gloomy and mortified,
admiring the superiority Of The stranger IN an
exercise in which he Prided himself as un-
giyaI}ed, while he hated him for his success.
.sAnnette, my pretty prize, said the victor,
taking her passive hand, . have wen you fair
~
Anaeflr's cheek became paler than marolc
she tgeobed- like az aspen leai, and clopg clo-
ser 10 her father, while The dropping eyesougbt
lhe i57n Of her lover. His brow g.a9 dark
at tae Strangers ianguage.
u have won you, my pretty flower. to make
YOU bride. Trem5e not 50 eiolsnlly-I
mean no, myself, however proud ought. 70 be,
be added, with gaIIantry, ''to wear 50 fair
" .-'' ..,;;a.I.. ',; -. @,. ~ I rr
Lcaped ioyiuiIy 70 her brow, aud a murmug Of
surprise ran through the crowd, 'perhaps there
is some favored youth an59r the crowd who
has h-hcr dam 70 this level. YOUNG SIR
he continued, turning to the surprised Henry
"me thinks you were The victor On ,hc list be-
fore me- stroye not for the maiden, thoush
onp could not well strive FOR iailrr-blt from
love Tor ih" manly spor, IN which / saw you
. engaged. You are the victor, and, IS such,
with The permission Of this worthy assembly,
yoa receive irom H@ aaad- the Pr'ze you have
50 well and honora5Iy won"
The youth sprang forward and gfasPed his
hand with gratitude, aud The next moment
Annette was weeping loF pnFe Joy upon his
shoulder The "eIAH rang Wlih tie accIama-
tons Of the Delighted villagers, and AMID the
temporary excitement produced 5y th's act the
stranger "iihdre" from the crowd, mounted
"is horse, ani spuFfeo am al brisk lrot through
the village
Ihat 0igIH Henry aud AInet!e were married
and the h'aIih OF the mysterious and noble
hearted stranger vas drank in oyerlowng bum
prrs Of rustic beverage.
IN process oil lime. there were born unto the
mrrrcd pair sons and daughters. and Henry