Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-05-05

forward. upon the face of Annette, as if to
catch therefrom that spirit and assurance
which the occasion called for. Returning the
encouraging glance with which she met his
own. with proud smile upon his lip, he boun-
ded forward.
ssTwcnty-one feet and a half, - shouted the
multitude, repeating the announcement of one
of the judges, sstwenty- one feet and half
Harry Carroll forever! Annette and Harry 20
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, tall ,gentlemanly young
man, in a military undress frock-coat, who had
rode up to the inn, dsmounted and Joined the
spectators, unperceived, while the contest was
going on, stepped suddenly forward, and with
q knowing eve measured deliberately 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, to which symmetry and strength were
happily united, called forth the admiration Of
the young men.
s'Mayhap, sir stranger, you think you can
beat that 2" said one of the bystandcrs, remar
ing the manner IN which the eye of the stran-
ger scanned the arena. s'It you can leap be-
yond Henry Carroll, you'll beat the best man
in the colonies.'' The truth of this observa-
tion was assentcd to 10y general murmur.
sIs it for mere amusement you are pursuing
this pastime ?'' inquired the youthful stranger,
ssor is there a prize for the winner ?''
ssAnnette, the loveliest and wealthiest of
our village maidens is to be the reward of the
victor,' cried one of the judges.
sis the list open to all 20
"All. young sir ~ replied the father of An
nette, with interest, his youthful ardor rising
as he surveyed the proportions of the straight
limbed young stranger. ssShe is the bride of
him who out leaps Henry Carroll. Ifyou will
try YOU are free to do so. But, let me tell
you, Henry Carroll has no equal in Virginia.
Here is my daughter, sir, look at her, and
make your trial.
The officer glanced upon the trembling mai
den about to be offered the alter of her
fathers monomania with an admiring eye.
The poor girl looked at Harry, who stood near
with stroubled brow and an angry eye, and
then cast upon the new campetitor an implor-
ing glance.
Placing his coat in the hands of one of the
judges, he drew sash he wore beneath it tigh-
ter round his waist, and taking the appointed
stand. made, apparently without effort, the
bound that was to decide the happiness or mis-
cry of Henry and Annette.
ssTwenty-two feet and inch ~ shouted
the Judge. The shout was repeated with sur
prise by the spectators, who crowded around
the victor, filing the air with congratulations,
not unmingled however, with loud murmurS
lIOlil tHOSS WIZ NCiC ihbStSS'NN Az
the happiness of the lovers.
The old man approached, and grasping his
hand exultingly, called him his son, and said
he felt prouder of him than if he were,a prince.
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, although name
less and unknown, so fairly won. She leaned
upon her fathers arm, pale and distressed.
Her lover stood aloof, gloomy and mortifi
ed, admring the superiority of the stranger
in an exercise in which he prded himself
unrivalled, while he hated him for his sue
cess.
ssAnnette, my pretty price, said the victor,
taking her passive hand, 81 have won You
fairly.''
Annettes cheek became paler than marble; ;
she trembIed like an aspen leaf, and clung clo-
ser to her father, while the dropping eye sought
the form of her lover. His brow grew dark at
the strangers language.
ssI have won you, my pretty flower, to make
you bride-tremble not VIOLENTLY mean
not myself, however proud l ought to be- ad-
ded he, with gallantry, ssto wear so falr a gem
next to my heart. Perhaps" and he cast his
eyes inquiringly, while the current OF LIE leap
ed ioyfully to her brow, and murmur OF sur
prise ran through the crowd, ssperhaps there
is some favored youth among the crowd who
has a higher claim to this jewel. Young sir"
| he continued, turning TO the surprised Henry !;
| ssme thinks YOU were the victor In the list be-
| fore mel strove not for the maiden, though
| one could not well strive for fairer-but
/ from love for the manly sport in which saw
| you engaged. You are the victor, and as such,
| with the permission of this worthy assembly
| you receive from my hand the prize you have
| so we'll and honorably won.
The youth sprang forward and grasped his
! hand with gratitude, and the next moment
Annette was weeping for pure joy upon his
| shoulder. The welkn rung with the acclama-
! tions of the delighted villagers, and amid the
| temporary excitement produced by TINS act'
| the stranger withdrew from the crowd, noun
ted his horse, and spurred him at brisk trot
| through the village.
That night Henry and Annette were married,
| and the health of the mysterious and noble
hearted stranger was drank in overflowing
| bumpers of rustic beverage.
| In process OF time, there were born unto the
married pair sons and daughters, and Henry
Carroll had become Col. Henry Carroll of the
| Revolutionary army.
One evening, having just returned home al
| ter hard campaign, he was sitting with has
family on the gallery of his handsome country
house, when an advance courier rode up ana
announced the approach of Gen. washington
| and suit, informing him that he should crave
his hospitality for the night. The necessary
directions were given in reference to the house
| hold preparations, and Col. Carroll, ordering
his horse, rode forward to meet and escort IL
his house the distinguished guest, whom he
had never yet seen, although serving in the
same widely-extended army.
| That evening, at the table. Annette, now
become the dignified, matronly, and still hand
some Mrs. Carroll, could not keep her eyes
from the face of her illustrious visitor. Every
moment or two she would steal glance at his
commanding features, and half-doubtingly
half assuredly, shake her head and look again