The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-01-08

il earning, exclaimed the young man, en-
4 phatically, "and nothing shall separate
us. Wear the ring as q pledge, and, if
4 the worst is realized, you and must be
!. among the missing Immediately after the
festivities. Will you do just as I tell you,
i NettiaF' # vi s4
. Yes, Tom,'' she replied, in q low tone.
aThen we can make arrangements for
/ q failure when we meet, for CANT think
/ it possible that can fall He spoke
4 hurrIedly, for there was not a moment to
4 spare. DUTY is imperative he contin-
ued, with smile, 'sand / have scarcely
4 time to reach my post, 80 goodbye, Net
4 tie, for two weeks"
4 The appointed day dawned bright and
clear. Promptly the young men assem-
/ bled, each eager TO WIN SO much beauty
1 and wealth. The gentry and farmers al
4 SO came to witness the unusual spectacle
4 The old planter, with his friends, took
| places on the judges platform, while
/ Nettie, at her fathers command, stood at
| q little distance, under a group of trees,
| with her old nurse and a few young
friends. The contest began, and had
nearly closed, when a horseman galloped
up the road, and seeing the crowd, fast
ened his horse, and walked over the lawn
/ to inquire what was going on.
| He was about twenty-five very tall
and with q military bearing remarkable
in one SO young. Such dignity of de-
pertinent would seem, in these days, in
consistent with such pastime as Jump
ing, but then It was common amuse-
ment, ike our baseball. He stepped up
to Tom, and asked: "Can any one take
part? should like very much to try my
skill"
"Certainly; ! believe the old planter
wEim included the world at large said
Tom, CURLY, as he moved of to take his
| turn IL s.e. ........ r. ..
The soldier stood near black Elm, who
had been watching the contest with much
interest, but who now turned his atten-
ton to the long limbs Of the stranger
with a good deal of concern expressed on
his old black features. Il say, massa,"
| and Tins eyes rolled round in his ankle
~ in q way quite fearful to behold, " dis
yer youf, what you was talkin' to, is Mas
81 Tom, an dey is gagged already--de
young missus and him. She likes him
wonderful, but p'raps you donno dat our
Miss Nettie is dc prize what de old nan
put up for de biggest jumper. Ks awful
'fraid you'll jump dc fardest wild dem
long legs. No dlspect meant, ,nassa.'
The reply to Tins discourse WAS lost
in shout from the crowd, for the peo-
pies fagorite--young Capt. Tom Lenard
had outstripped all Of his competitors.
But, to the surprise of many, this Null
tary stranger claimed o turn, and the old
Standardization bears fabulous
100 years, .g.u
a moment Of silent establishment sue
eeeded, and then arose few shouts OF
admiration, feeling oil would have
shared but for their sympathy with An
nette. Trembling like q leaf, she leaned
sadly on Toms arm. while he whispered
hurried directions for their flight, and
was leading her reluctant steps towards
the ivy covered tower, that had been ar
ranged near the platform for her and her
successful knight. Al .-s. . ..,.v. r..
The old planter, stepping from his
slight elevation, and, putting his daugh-
ter's hand in that Of the victor, said:
"You have won the prize, sir, and, as my
WORD is never broken"-= s." H.. J..
"EXcuse nae, sir" broke in the soIdier,
holding the hand Of the blushing girl,
"but you must allow me to interrupt you
one moment. ! took part in this contest
for the simple pleasure OF trying nv
powers with others, and not as rival. I
confess this solitaire 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 engagements rem er it
impossible for me to accept the honor
you seem willing TO confer. !, therefore,
relinquish my right in favor Of hin who
came next me in the hsI," and turning,
be placed the hand he held in that of the
surprised and happy Tom; adding, in
lower tone, "besides, the hand and heart
should never be divorced" .4..s 4
look here, young officer abruptly
interrupted the planter, II should be glad
to know your name and have you remain
with u.s." .....- ..@ #sa.5. .,..a@S y. s
THANK you, sir" was the reply, s,but I
have already fingered here toolong. We
are making military preparations to stop
these Indian depredations, and you can
Judge it is no time for an officer to be
long absent from his post. am sorry
to be forced to bid you so hurried fare
we'll" a .4N.t nES
He shook HANDS with the young couple
and congratulated them upon the happy
termination or the contest, and, waving
an adieu to the rest, mounted his horse
and was sooD, out OF sight. The old
planter did not long survives and never
saw his young visitor again.
Tom and Nettie married and settled
down in the old homestead, which wealth
and happiness turned into a paradise.
The French war was soon closed, but
greater one began when the colonies
threw off the yoke OF, England From
this struggle rose the fame Of George
Washington, commander-in-chiet of the
American armies, until it not only filled
all Europe, but rose higher still to be
s'first in the hearts CT his countrymen'
After liberty was gained for 100000
people, Washington sought the retire
nent OF home. On Christmas eve. 1883,
he once more reached Mount Vernon,
after an abserce of eight years and a half,
during which time he had stopped there
only twice--on his way to Yorktown and
Ia ly y H.