The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-01-05
THE PRIZE LEAP.
kAell.tnst.


 M ny years ago there lived in one oi the onelIest villages of Old Virginia 4 m4o.,n whose uncommon beauty at- IT.. ed to her scores of admirers The father of the fair girl Tn hls early youth was distinguished for his athletic feats. !i- sofe upon his breast three medals wi. ! were the p.cdges ol h,s victorious ,i |. etements. flis daughter VAS now 4 o.ashing Hebe of IS years, besieged san overs but the parental obedience M h her father demanded led her 10 ie'eT all to hls choice S,ill. she had her p7 aaf favorte in Harry Carroll who waa ,Ee most accomplished and intelec- tD4 young man n aii the country. But the old father 0. the maiden possessed of a perfect monomania upon the subject ot lea2laa, suggested the following singular mo6e ot selecting husband for his daasn tfom her numerous proposals, N lie invited .tli the tie, llted sailors wifo had avowed themselves lovers of 4 u,be! to meet d, hls house, and made ;1 them this announcement oung Wcn sad he, you have solicited my gHtld each oi you to become your bride She b comedy and pure. She vii ptave a> taIr Il gem as she appelrs. l have IT aey Ia give Ter, but you see l don, are 4bou, money, nor talents, nor book knowledge, nor military renown, but want her to marry Il man ot skill and strength. ! obtained the mother ot my oh.ld 3y jumping for her, \ party otmy oNn age WAS assembled and my ii,hrr.in- .lt .txoSed that the one who could leap the t.,tthest should bc the winne. of ,nc puEe. NJ, old woman, lads. Was worth the effort. was the sue ,eseful man. and my daughter shall be ob,alned m ,hls manner. Here Is the green swari and there IS Amabel the one that lamps the luithest on the dead level shall wlu the prle.''
 Amabel clung closely to her father and looked upon her array oi lovers with no unmeanng glance. Still hel eyes rested on one more lovingly than the rest. and that was Harry Carroll
 A crowd of spectators were prescn, ,o witness the ieats. The loom and the quitting frame were deserted, the child ren Jeff their sports, the old men iorsook iher pipes and gray hatred. spcctacled old danes forgot their spinning wheels in the excitement of the hour. The NNHdC ioi NtUlCSl MAS Il level space in front of the village mn, directly in sight oi Amabel's home. Exercises of a similar kind were tnen much in vogue m the Old Domiaion and the green was often used for such sports. The father of Amabei now came forward with hls blushipg daughter, attended by those patTiarChal judges who were ,o de- termine by actual measurement the pre- else length of each leap
 The signal was now given and each young man in turn took his place Tn the arena.
 ohm Watkins craes a by-s,ander appointed to announce theu names : " ohm Watkins, fifteen feet two inches"
 Watkins retired, somewhat mortified d, his i'll success.
 Edward Ke,son. eighteen feet one inch"
 The merry shouts of applause here commenced. Many prophesled Edward had won the prize, Amahel. however looked pale and dissatisfied
 ames Haynes, nineteen teei pre- cisely."
 Huzzls rent the air. Everybody loved ames. Everybody but Amabel.
 " Richard Rush, twenty feet two and one-half inches"
 Dick replaced his coat very eoolly. as if not aware of the shouts which made the air resound with acclama,ions of joy.
 " Henry re,tes, nineteen feet. But he cared not io win the prize. Amabel stood unmoved. Two other young men refused to leap for he prize, and Harry Carroll was the last upon the roll He marched into the arena with firm step
 "Harry Carroll, twenty-three feet one inch" was announced, and he took the prize.
 Amabel rushed into the arms of her devoted lover. 10 whom, of all others, she gave the special preference. Congratu- lations were exchanged" the hand somest couple ia old Virginia was passed around" the best match in the country" cries the multitude when suddenly young man of most prepo;- sessing appearance presented himself as candidate tor the pr,ze. He had ust alighted at the village inn, and hearing the shouts of victory came forward and inquired of Amabels father if the ground was still open for competition. The old man having leisurely surveyed the strangers features, and looking at Ama- bel, who was resting in Harrys fond em- brace, now looked wildly and wonder ingly on the scene. Harry wore a troubled countenance, for he saw the