The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-02-23
A FAMOUS JUMP.
How George Washington Won thu vlllav,

SNes nun tho magnificent
record OF twenty-five feot three inches
ior running broad. Young Harry.
Warrington writing homo from England
a description OF jumping match in
which no covered twon,y.one foot three
inches, thereby beating his competitor,
LORD March, goes on to say: ~ thon
told them that there was n gentleman
at homo who could beat mo by good
loot, and when thoy asked mo who II
wa was l said Colonel G. Washington, OF
Mount Nernon-as you know he can,
and hos tho only mnn in this country
or mino that can do it" So II Thack.
cray Is to BIO believed George stands tho
champion broad jumper OF his time:
indeed, up to 1889. ho could easily have
won all intercollegiate champion com.
petitions aud most OF tho nationals.
What tho agile young pater patria
might havo accomplished with spiked
shoo', cinder path, aud nice plank
"take-oh" no ono can say, but it Is not
improbable that no would now stand
not only frat in peace. first in war, and
first in tho hearts OF his countrymen,
but first on tho list OF running broad
Jumpers as we'll.
II Is rathor unfortunate that tho do
tails OF this remarkable Jump arc not to
DO found, but have discovered very
pretty littlO story which gives him a
record only two inches short OF that
given him by young Warrington.
In pretty little village in Virginia
there lived in l775 rich and eccentric
old farmer whose daughter was declared
to be the loveliest maiden in all tho
country round. Tho beautiful Annette
was eighteen years OF age, and of course
had many suitors for her hand and
heart. Some offered her wealth, somo
position. others nothing but love and
labor, but, obediens to her fathers
wishes, she encouraged none OF them.
On her nineteenth birthday tho old
man invited all tho youth OF the village
to grand haymaking frolic, and they
came, among them dozen handsome
young fellows who were known to still
retain tender regard for tho fair girl
whose natal day they had come to cello.
brate.
Tho morning passed In merry labor.
By noon the barns were filled with the
fragrant hay, and all were ready for tho
fesst Of good things that had been
spread under tho shady branches.
Now, my lads" said tho old man,
after the banquet was some time over,
I've got something to say to you.E 1t
seems that good many OF you have
been casting sleeps eyes at my An
nettc. Now. boys, l don't care any,
thing about money or talents, book
farming or soldier farming. can do as
well by my girl rs any man in tho coun-
try; but l want her to marry n man OF
my own grit. Now. perhaps you know
it, and perhaps you don't, but wher |
WAS youngster could bea. any one in
all Virginia in the way OF leaping. Look
here"
He held up, as he spoke, three hand.
some medals.
And all OF them won in fair fight"
he went on. besides which l got my old
woman by beating the smartest man on
the eastern shore. Now listen; I've
taken an oath that no man shall marry
my daughter without jumping for it.
There you have it, boys: yonder's the
green, and here's Annette. The one
who jumps the farthest on n dead level
shall marry her this very evening""
This peculiar address was received
with great applause. and moro than one
youth, as he bounded away for the are
ma OF trial, cast a glance OF anticipated
victory upon the lovely prize as abe
stood blu,hinc beside her father.
Dropping their various anusemen,s,
the entire party wcnded their way,
laughing and singing, toward the wi.
lage inn. before which spread the
green. Ia tho center OF this plot tho
ground was bare and admirably suited
10 exercises OF the sort in which they
were about to engage. Soon all was in
readiness for the contest. The signal
was given and the young competitors.
stripped OF their coats, stcpDcd forward.
Edward Grayson, seventeen feet"
cried ono Of the judges. The youth had
done his utmost, but it was clear by the
look on his face that he had little hope.
With n longing glance a. the prize he
could not win no left tho grounds.
Dick Boulden, nineteen feetw Dick,
with q little laugh OF satisfaction. re.
placedhis coat and joined tho onlookers.
Harry Preston, nineteen feet three
inchesi'
well done, Harry" shouted tho
spectators. "iou tried hard for the
acres and the homestead" Harry, who
was a rattle-braincd sort OF follow,
lauphingly vowed he only jumped for
the fun OF tho thing. 1t was thought,
however, that no would not have said
so il he had felt sure OF winning.
"Charlie Simms, fifteen feet and
halt"
"Hooray for Charlie! Charlie wins!"
cried tho crowd with good-natured
sarcasm. Charlie grinncd, threw of
his disappointment with slight upliit
OF his shoulders, and was soon creating
roars OF laughter with his wit, which,
by tho way, was far more nimblo than
his legs.
There was now but ono leapcr left, for
several had become discouraged and 70.
tired IRON the contest.
snow for Harry CarrollW shouted tho
spectators, and Harry stepped forward
amid great applause. Carroll was tho
athlete Of the village and ho was 80 gem
eral favorito that every ono wished rs
well as anticipated his success. More
ovos he was n handsome youth and it
was vol known that between him and
tho beautiful hnnettn there existed n
strong mutual attachment. Harry cast
swift gance mt his sweetheart md ut
tho villagers and then with a CLEAN OF
triumph in his oyo no bounded forward.
"Iwcnty.ono foot and half. A mag.
niicent loap!" cried tho Judge. "Iooray
for Harry Carroll. Hurry wins"
Hands, hats and hnndkorchiefs wcro
waved wildly by the delighted villagers,