The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1859-02-11

4 IN to stay at home, and told him
t a wife, she should fall in love with
o'l temper rather than his legs. Char
, >.'er, made the trial Of the la!ter's
.',,s, and lost. Many refused to en-
. =: altoghcr. Others made the trial,
/. one Of the leapers yet cleared
:. t..
~. cried the villagers, "lcl's see
rroll. lie ought to beat this"
viy one appeared, as they called to
'.:a mutual love Of the last competitor
.D :eet Annette, rs if they heartily
snccess,
stepped to his post with firm
lis eye glanced with confidence
! Don the villagers, and rested, be-
'unaed forward, upon the face Of
IS il to catch thcrefrom that spirit
- ,ncc which the occasion called
:, lrning the encouraging glance
II she met his own, with proud
t.. = his lips he bounded forward.
= y.one feet and a halls" shouted
~. ude, repeating the announcement
yes; "twenty-one feet and Il half
. Carroll forcvcr-Annetto and
'>;, caps and handkerchiefs, waved
=" esds of tho spectators, and the
lie delighted Annette sparkled with
r'n Henry Carroll moved to the sta
d rive for the prize, n tall, gentleman
49,: nan, i'll military undress frock
~, mad rode up to the inn, dismount-
u 1'nel the spectators, unperceiveo,
-. contest was going on, stepped
'n:y Onward, and with knowing eye
~" deliberately the space accomplish,
th' last leaper. lie was stranger
age. His handsome face and
a!I IS attracted the attention Of the
= dens, and bis manly and sinewy
, {. which symmetry and strength
l::I lily united, called forth the adni-
4; 'oyoung men.
n?I' >, sir, stranger, youstlink you
":,e nat = said one Of the bystanIcrs,
=, the manner in which the eyes
~, ,ger scanned the arena. "If you
a i.>:yond Henry Carroll, you'll beat
csl IN in the Colonies"
4 t. h Of the observation was asscnted
u ~ leral murmur.
: L mere amusement you arc pur-
astimea" inquired the youthful
!~;. " is thsrc a prize for the win
n..:.e, tho loveiicst and wealtlliest Of
"see maidens, is to be the reward Of
,'or," cried one Of the judges.
the list open to all ?"
j, young SIR" replied the father oI
tte, with interest, his youthful a:Lor
as he surveyed the proportions Of the
,ht-limbed stranger. "Shc is THO bride
II who can out leap Henry Carroll. Il
rill try, you are at liberty to do SO
ct me tell you Henry Carroll has nc
in Virginia. Here is my daughter
ook at her and make your trial"
e officer glanced at the trembling
en-, about to be offered upon the altar
r fathers monomania, with an admir-
We. The poor girl looked at Harry
stood near with troubled brow and
'gry eye, and then cast upon the new
'etitor an imploring glance.
acipg his coat in the hands Of one o
ldecs, he drew q sash he wore beneath
liter around his waist, and taking the
nted stand, made, without effort, the
j that was to decide the happiness or
y Of Henry aud Annette.
weniy-two feet and an inch !" shouted
,dgc, The shout was repeated with
iso by the spectators, who crowded
ID the victor, filing tho air with con.
lations, mingled, however, with loud
lurs from those who were more nearly
.sted in the happiness Of tho lovers.
e old man approached, and grasping
and exultipgls, called him son, and
he felt prouder Of him than if he were
ice. Physical activity and strength
the cid leaper's true patents Of no.
his coat, The victor sougbt
his eye the prize he had, although
less and unknown, so fairly won.-
eaned upon her fathers arm, pale and
,ssed.
sr lover stood alQof, and mortified, ad.
y the superiority Of the stranger in
h he prided himself as uurivalled, while
tied him for his success.
annette, my pretty price," said the vic
;akiug the passive hand, II have won
fairly. =
nnetts's cheek became paler than mar.
she trembled like an aspen leaf, ant
, closer to har father. while the droon