The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-12-12

darllnG, exclaimed TN" young ulau el
phat'cally. and nothing shall separa
u.s. Wear this ring as pledge, and,
the worst is rraliz-d, you and I must
among the missing Immediately aft
the festivities. Will you do just as
tell you, Nettie p
Yes. Tom, she replied, in low voic
'rhen we can make arrangements #
failure when We meet, for | can
think it possible that l can fail H
spoke hurriedly. for there was not
moment to spare. Duty is imperative
he contiuu'd with smile. 'and | hav
scarcely time to reach my post, 30 good
bye, Nettie for two weeks
The appointed day dawned brigh
and clear. Promptly the young men as
sembled, each eager to wiu 20 muc
b~auty and wealth The gentry an
farmers also came to witn"ss the unusua
spectacle. The old planter, with hi
friends, tooks places on the judges plat
furm, while N.ttie, at her fathers com
mand, stood at lirtle distance, under
group of trees, with her old nurse and
few young friends.
The contest began, and had nearly
closed. when horsvman galloped up tht
road, and SEEING the crowd, fastened hi!
horse. and walked over the lawn to in
tquire what was g''ing on
He was about twenty-five. very tai
and with a military b airing remarkable
in one 80 y"ung. Such dignity of de-
portmcnt would seem, in these days, in
consistent with such pastime as jump
ing; but then it was common amuse-
m"nt, like our baae ball. tle stepped
up to Tom, and asked: Can any one
take part? should like very much to
try mv skill
'Ce:tainly; I believe tn" old planters
wh:m includes the world at large, said
Tom, curtly, as he moved off to take his
turn.
The soldier stood near black Tim. who
had been Watching the contest with
uuch interest, but who now turned his
attention TO the long limhs of the stran-
ger with a GOOD deal Of concern ex-
pressed on his old black FEATURES. Il
say, massa, and Tins eyes rolled round
i'll his anxiety in way qnire fearful to
behold. dis here youf. what you was
talkin' to, is Massa Tom, an dey is
gagged a|reaGy-de young mssus and
him. She likes him wonderful. bot
p'raps you dunno dA. our Miss Nettie
is de prize what de old man put up for
5hs RiYSS665F S6b RnfRH5d liz nfRaH45ds7t WI d." ioos
legsS No dlspect meant. massa.'
The reply TO Tins discourse was lost
in shout from the crowd, for the peo-
ples's favorit,-. young Capt Tom Lenard
had ou,stlipped all of his competitors.
But, to the surprise Of many. this mill
tary stranger claimed turn, and the old
Observation-Disclosures fabulous
record of his succ' IS across this chasm
of120 years.
A momen, of silent astonishment sue
ceeded. and then rose few shouts of
admiration. n feeling all would have
shared but for their sympathy With
| Annette. TrsmpHug nIe u ioaG-L-
leaned sadly on Toms arm; while be
| whispered hurried directions for their
flight, and was leading her reluctant
steps toward the ivy-covered t"wer that
had been arraug' d Gear the platform for
her and her successful knight.
The old planter stepped from his
slight elevation. and, putting his daugh>
ter's hand IN that Of the victor, said !:
"You hava Won the prize, sir. and. as
nv word is never broken
.Excus me, sir broke in the SOL
dier, holding the hand Of the blushing
girl, 'bu, you must allow me to inter-
rupt sou one momrnt. | tnoE part IN
the contest for the simple pleasure OF
trying my powers with others and not
as rival. | cnufeSs this solitaire j"wel
is rare prize, wonderfully rare, tor a
fathers hear, to surrender to such an
OCCASION. and as much as [ might re-
eret it und.r other circumstances, my
engagements rrnd.r it impossible Tor
me to acc"pt the hon r you s'em vii
ling to confer. |, therefore, relinqui~h
INV fiyht in favor nf him who came
next in the lit and, turning, he placed
the hand h. had hid in that OF the
surprised and happy Tom; aiding, IN a
lower tone. b,.sides. the hand aud heart
should never he divorced.
Look here. young "ficer' abruptly
interrupted tn planter, i should ot
glad to know your name and have yor
rrmain with u.s.
'rhauk y"a, SIR was the reply, 'bu
7 have already fingered here to" long
We are making military preparations tt
srnp these Iud'au d.preduti 'ns. and yet
can Jndge it is no tine for an officer t
De long absent from his pnst l am s"rr
- he forced to bid you 80 hurried
FAREWELL
He shook hands with the young cnu
ole and congratulated them upon tn
happy rrnina,Inu of the contest. and
= waving an adieu to the rest, uounte
his bnrsc and was snnn out OF sigh
, re old planter did not lung survive
aud never saw his young visitor agar
Trm aud Netle married and settle
Iown in TIE old homestead, whlc
alth and happ;n 81 turucd int" pa
, iiss. The Fr.nrh war soon cl">"
!. hut greater on began wh"n the coll
II a. ALL, ,,f Envl,p