The Jasper weekly courier., 1878-07-19

A moment Of silent astonishmcnt sue
ceeded, and then rose few shouts Of
admiration, feeling all would have
shared, but for their sympathy with
Annette. Trembling like leaf,
she leaned sadly on Toms arm.
while he, whispering hurried
directions for their fight, was leading
her reluctant steps towards the ivy
covered tower, that had been arranged
near the platform for her and her sue
cessful knight.
The old planter stepped from his
slight elevation. and placing his daugh-
ter's hand in that Of the victor, said,
q You have won the prize, sir, and AS
nv word is never broken
ssExcuse me, sir" broke in the sol
der, holding the hand Of the blushing
girl, - but you must allow me To inter-
rupt you one moment. took part In
this contest for the simple pleasure Of
trying my powers with others, and not
as rival. confess this solit are jewel
Is rare prize, wonderfully rare, for
fathers heart to surrender to such an
occasion, and much as might regret it,
under other circumstances, my engage
ments render it impossible for me to
accept the honor you seem willing to
confer. l, therefore, relinquish my
right in favor Of him who came next
me in the list" and turning, he
placed the hand he held in that Of
the surprised and happy Tom;
adding, in a lower tone, ssbeside, the
hand and the heart should never be di-
vorced."
"Look here, young officer, /" abruptly
interrupted the planter, al should be
glad to know your name and have you
remain with u.s."
"Thank you. sir,' was the reply,
but have already fingered here too
long. We are making military prepar-
ations to stop these Indian depredations,
and you can judge it is no time for an
officer to be long absent from his post.
l am sorry to be forced to bid you so
hurried a farewell"
He shook hands with the young cou-
pie, and congratulated them upon the
happy termination of tie contest, and,
waving an adieu to the rest, mounted
his horse, and was soon out of sight.
The old planter Gid not long survive,
and never saw his young visitor again.
Tom and Nettie married and settled
down in the old homestead, which
wealth and happiness turned into par
adise. The French war was soon closed,
but greater one began, when the col
onies threw of the CALLING yoke Of Eng
land. From this struggle rose the
fame of George Washington, Com
mander-in-Chief of the American
Armies, until il not only filed all Europe,
but rose higher still to be " First in the
hearts Of his countrymen."
After liberty was gained for three
millions of people, Washington sought
the retirement Of home. On Christmas
Eve, 1888, he once more reached Mt.
Vernon, after an absence of eight years
! and half, during which time he had
! stopped there only twice-on his way u
Yorktown and back
The September following his return
he began AN equestrian tour beyond the
, Alleghenies, where he held some prop
erty, and, going near the plantation
where twenty-six years before he had
participated in jumping-match, hs
, called.
Two young girls were sitting on the
! piazza, and rose to meet him as he as.
cended the steps. "Do Captain and
+ Mrs. Lenard still reside here?" he asked
( Yes, sir" answered the younger
D 81 will call mammal" while the elder
I pointing to an easy chair Of willow
1 said, "Won't you take q seat, sir; it i
} cooler out here than inside" blushinf
: all the while under his scrutinizini
gaze Just as her mother had done year
before.
! as your name NcttiePr he asked.
"Yes, SIR
{" Named for your mother, ! sup
+ pose" The astonished girl had M
8 time to reply, for Tom and Nettie 0
8 olden time appeared through the archie,
. doorway and the stranger rose to gree
them.
Q "will you take in an old friend an,
wayfarer TO dine with you to-day?
y is pleasanter being with friends than q
p an inn."
! with pleasure, /" they replied, in tn
n old Southern style of true hospitality
He noticed, however, their look of pei
b plexity, and said, g will not tax you
o memory too far, for 26 years brin
/ heavy changes, still you can't forget on
Il last meeting. DO you remember
It young Colonel, Captain, whose pre-
q sumption enabled him to outstrip 70
n in jumping match, years ago, an
l who yielded his right to the prize you .
= much covetedp'
! "Indeed I do,'' exclaimed Captai
4" Lenard, springing up and grasping b
o hand once more, {" / know had see
you somewh,e, General va nam
D, Tom had unwittingly given hil
II from the first" but coul
Il not recall the occasion. We are indee
2 glad to see you, and give you war;
z welcome TO our table,