Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-04-04

ward.
Edward Grayson, seventeen feet 7
cried one 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 longing glance at
the prize he could not win he left the
grounds.
"Dick Boulden, nineteen feet /"
Dick, with a little laugh of satisfac-
ton, replaced his coat and joined the
onlookers.
Harry Preston, nineteen feet three
inches !"
"Well done, Harry" shouted the
spectators. "You tried hard for the
acres and the homestead" Harry,
who was a rattle-brained sort Of a fel-
low, laughingly vowed he only jumped
for the fun of the thing. 1t was
thought, however, that he would not
have said so if he had felt sure of win
ming.
Charlie Simms, fifteen and a-half y
"Hooray for Charlie Charlie wins
cried the crowd with good-natured
sarcasm. Charlie grinned, threw off
his disappointment with slight uplitt
of his shoulders, and was soon creating
roars of laughter with his wit, which,
by the way, was far more nimble than
his legs.
There was now but one leaper left,
for several had been discouraged and
retired from the contest.
"Now for Harry Carroll = shouted
the spectators, and Harry stepped for
ward amid great applause. Carroll
was the athlete of the village and he
was so general favorite that every
one wished as well as anticipated his
success. Moreover he was a hand
some youth and it was well known
that between him and the beautiful
Annette there existed a strong mu-
tual attachment. Harry cast swift
glance at his sweetheart and at the
villagers and then with CLEAN of trl-
umph in his eye he bounded forward.
"Twenty-one feet and half. A
magnificent leapl' cried the Judge.
"Hooray for Harry Carroll. Harry
wins y
Hands, hats and handkerchiefs were
waved wildly by the delighted vii
layers, and the eyes Of the happy An
nette sparkled with joy.
Now Just before Harry had leaped,
and while every ones attention was
fixed upon him, stranger had entered
the throng unperceived. He was a
tall, gentlemanly young man in mil
itary undress frock coat, who had at
that moment arrived on horseback be-
fore the inn. He wa. just in time to
witness Carrolls great leap.
The first burst of applause over the
spectators awoke to the stranger s
presence. The mans handsome face
and easy address at once attracted the
eyes of the maidens, while his manly
and sinewy frame, in which were hap
PLY united symmetry and strength,
called forth the admiration of the
young men.
"Mayhap, sir stranger, you think
YOU can beat that, said Charlie Slmms,
remarking the manner in which the
new conner scanned the arena. "lf
you can outleap Harry Carroll you
beat the best man in the colonies.
lis it for amusement you are pur-
suing this pastime?'' inquired the
Youthful stranger, cor is there prize
for the winner
"The sweetest prize mar ever strove
for" answered one of the judges
"yonder she stands.
The stranger cast respectful glance
at the blushing maiden, and his eyes
looked admiration.
"Are the lists open to all?' he
asked
"All, young sir, replied Annette s
father, with interest, his youthful ar
dor rising as he surveyed the proper
tions of the straight-limbed young
stranger. "lf you will try you are
free to do so, Here is my daughter
look at her and decide"
With a smile the newcomer threw
off his coat, drew his sash tighter
around his waist, and stepped forward
Annette looked anxiously at Harry
who stood near with troubled brow
and angry eye, and then she cast upon
the stranger glance of piteous en-
treaty. All hearts stood still as the
young man bounded forward.
twenty-five feet and an inch !
The Judges words were received with