The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1896-02-27


cast swift glance at his sweetheart and
at the villagers, and then, with gleam
Of triumph in his eye, he bounded for
ward.
'Twenty-one feet and half. A mag
nifcent leap!' cried the judge. "Horray
for Harry CarrollW
Hands, hats and handkerchiefs were
waved wildly by the delighted villagers,
and the eyes Of the happy Annette spar
kled with joy.
Now, Just before Harry had leaped a
stranger had entered the throng unper-
ceived. He was a tall, gentlemanly
young man in a military undress frock
coat, who had at that moment arrived
on horseback before the inn. He was
Just in time to witness Carroll's great
leap.
The mans handsome face and easy
address at once attracted the eyes Of the
maidens, while his manly and sinewy
frame, in which were happily united
symmetry and strength, called forth the
admiration of the young men.
"Mayhap, sir stranger, you think you
can beat that, said Charlie Simms, re-
marking the manner in which the new
conner scanned the arena. "f you can
outleap Harry Carroll, you beat the best
man in the colonies" "
is it for amusement you are pursu-
ing this pastime?" inquired the youth
full stranger, 'or is there prize for the
winner?'
1.-THE sweetest prize man ever strove
for" answered the judges. "Yonder
she stands. "
The stranger cast a respectful glance
at the blushiDg maiden, and his eyes
looked admiration.
care the lists open to all?" he asked.
"All, young SIR" replied Annette's S
father with interest. IF you will try,
you are free to do so. Here is my daugh-
ter, sir; look at her and decide"
With a smile the newcomer threw off
his coat, drew his sash tighter around
his waist and stepped forward. All
hearts stood still as the young man
bounded forward.
twenty-five feet and an inch I" The
judges words were received with muir
murs of surprise and wonder. Not with
out a feeling of pity for poor Harry, all
crowded round the new victor, offering
him their congratulations. Resuming
his coat, the stranger sought with his eye
the fair prize he had, although name
less and unknown, so fairly won. She
leaned upon her fathers arm, pale and
distressed.
Poor Harry Carroll stood aloof, gloomy
and mortified, admiring the stranger for
his ability, but hating him for his sue,
cess
Annette, my pretty prize" said the
victor, taking her passive hand, 81 have
won you fairly, but 1 think there is O
favored youth among the competitors
who has higher claim than mine.
Young SIR" he continued, turning tc
the surprised Harry, "methinks you
were the victor in the lists before me-
and as such, with the permission of this
worthy assembly, you receive from my
hand the prize you have SO we'll an6
honorably won."
The youth sprang forward and grasp
ed the strangers hand with gratitude
and the next moment Annette was weep
ing from pure joy upon his breast. The
place rang with the acclamations of the
delighted people, and amid the excite
ment the newcomer withdrew, remount
ing his horse, and rode briskly out o.
the village.
That night Harry and Annette wert
married. Several years later Harry Car
roll became Colonel Harry Carroll. Ont
evening the colonel was sitting on tn,
piazza Of his handsome country house
when courier rode up and announced
the approach Of General Washington anC
suit, who would crave the colonel's hos
pitality for the night
That evening at the table Annette
now the dignifed, matronly and still
handsome Mrs. Carroll, could not keel
her eyes from the face of her illustriou
visitor. II suspect, colonel" said tn,
general, "that Mrs Carroll thinks sh,
recognizes in me an old acquaintance
but have become, by dint of camp far,
and hard usage, too unwieldy to leal
again 22 feet / inch, even for so fair
bride as one wot of. "
George Washington was indeed tn
handsome young athlete whose mysteri
ous appearance and disappearance in tn
native village of the lovers is still tradi
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