The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1876-03-10
.SLYTf-S" JUMPS.


the fire that was soon to burst into flame
was smoldering in the hearts of two-thirds
of the inhabitants of Lower Milford. In
no portion of Connecticut were there purer
patriots or braver men. Reuben Salton
had been born in Lower Milford. He bad
grown up among its stony meadows aud its
simple ways. lie loved his country, his
town, and his comely sweetheart, Anne.
He was young yet, but he was tall and
strong. l should also say he loved his
mother. Thus it was in March, 1775.
On the ninth Of the month, Reuben Sal
ton had made the assertion, before a large
portion of his neighbnrs at town meeting,
that he could jump fsom the lower step of
Marvin's tavern to the town pump in sixty
six jumps. When the bold statement be-
came generally known, the townspeople
shook their heads. Only one man and two
women in all Lower Milford believed that
he could do it. The man was Daniel Het-
comb, Reubcn's old friend and school fei-
low The women were Anna and Reuben's
mother That night the matter was talked
over in every home in the town, and at an
informal meeting of the selectmen at the
house of Ephraim Thomas, where the gov
ernor was on visit, it was determined,
that as Reuben had made public boast of
his ability, he should give public proof of
it, and court day, which.fell on the fourth
Wednesday of the month, was appointed
for the trial.
They were anxious days for Lower Mil
ford, those days Of waiting. AS we have
seen, fully oIte-third of the inhabitants OF
the town were lukewarm patriots, or open
adherents Of King George. To these, the
failure of Reuben would be goodly pleas
ure To the rest of the townspeopie it
would be sad discontinue, especially as
the news had spread to Upper Milford,
and West Milford, and even to East Mil
ford.
The subject was thoroughly discussed in
every quarter the ground was measured.
and many jumper tried his agility. Hour
by hou. the feeling grew stronger that six
ty-six jnmps would not be enough. But
Anne and Daniel and Reuhcn's mother
never lost faith. And in the early morn
inc and late at night, Reuben practiced his
jumps ir his back yard.
Tt was the day for the jumps. The town
was full of people. During the morning
the court room was crowded but the good
folks cared not for the two men who were
tried, and were only impatient that the
trials should be hurried through, so that
Reuben,s trial--a much more important
ono TO them-should commence. The
nrisoners we're found guilty in short time;
no one wished to waste precious time
upon them. The ordinary legal business
was hurried through and every one hasten
ed away to an early dinner, SO as to be in
time for the jumps, which were to be made
in the afternoon.
During that morning Reuben did not
leave his house. Over and over, until near
to the dinner hour, he practised his jumps
in the back yard. About eleven O'Clock
his mother called him in to dress. She
had roned his finest shirt, and had oeauti-
fully pressed the cambric ruffles. Around
his neck she tied a new handkerchief OF
silk. and his Sunday breeches brushed by
her hands, showed not speck OF oust.
She fastened upon him the suspenders his
5evoted Anne had embroidered for him,
and smoothed and frightened the white hose
that covered his vigorous legs. Then she
said. with little tremble in her voice:
.Rueben, think you are ready"
Reuben ate no dinner, he merely drank
a mug of ale and took few bites OF bread
and cheese, and then his friend Daniel
came and said
sReuben, they are waiting on you.
Anne had come TO walk with Mother
Snlton, and in few minutes the four had
| left the house together. Reuben and
| Daniel walked in front, Reuben without
coat. with his new suspenders sparkling in
| the sun. The two women followed close
behind. When they reached Marvin g