Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1896-02-22

three inches for running broad.
Young Henry Warrington, writing
home from England description of
jumping match in which he covered
twenty-one feet three inches, thereby
beating his competitor, Lord March,
goes on to say: 81 then told them that
there was q gentleman at home who
could beat me by good foot, and when
they asked lue who it was said Col. G.
Washington, of Mount Vernon-as you
know he can, and he's the only man in
this country or mine that can do it,"
So if Thackeray is to be believed George
stands the champion broad jumper of
his time; indeed, up to 1889, he could
easily have won all intercollegiate
champion competitions and most of the
nationals. What the agile young pater
patria might have accomplished with
piked shoes, cinder path, and q nice
plank take off" no one can say, but it
is not improbable that he would now
stand not only first In peace, first in
war, and first in the hearts of his coun-
trymen, but first on the list of run
ming broad jumpers as well.
1t Is rather unfortunate that the de-
tails of this remarkable jump are not
to be found but I have discovered
very pretty little story which gives him
record only two inches short of
that given him by young Warrington.
In pretty little village in Virginia
there lived IN 1775 a rich and eccentric
old farmer whose daughter was de-
clared to be the loveliest maiden in all
the country round. The beautiful
Annette was 10 years of age, and of
course had many suitors for her hand
and heart. Some offered her wealth,
some position, Others nothing but love
and labor, but, obedient to her fathers
wishes, she encouraged none of them.
On her 10Th birthday the old man
invited all the youth of the village to
grand haymal1ing frolic, and they
came, among them dozen handsome
young fellows who were known to still
retain tender regard for the fair girl
whose natal day they had come to cele-
brate.
The morning passed in merry labor.
BY noon the barns were flied with the
fragrant hay, and all were ready for
the feast of good things that had been
spread under the shady branches.
"Now, nv lads" said the old man,
after the banquet was some time over,
1--WE got something to say to you. 1t
seems that good many of you have
been casting Sleeps eyes at my An
nette. Now, boys, don't care anything
about money or talents, book farming or
soldier farming. l can do as well by
my girl as any man in the country; but
want her to marry man of my own
grit. Now perhaps you know it, and
perhaps you don't, but when was
youngster l could beat anyone 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; yon-
dcr's the green, and here's Annette.
The~one who jumps farthest on dead
level shall marry her this very even
ing"
This peculiar address was received
with great applause, and more than one
youth, as he bounded away for the
arena of trial, cast glance of antici-
pated victory upon the lovely prize as
she stood blushing beside her father.
Dropping their various amusements,
the entire party wendell their way,
laughing and singing, toward the vii
lage inn, before which spread the green.
In the center Of this plot the ground
was bare and admirably suited to ex-
erclses of the sort in which they were
about to engage. Soon all was in readi-
ness for the contest. The signal was
given and the young competitors,
stripped of their coats, stepped for
ward.
Edward Grayson, II feet!" cried one
of the judges. The youth had done his
utmost, but it was clear by the look
vi MP luce thht Hc Hdu llttic nope.
With a longing glance at the prize he
could not win he left the grounds.
"Dick Boulder, 10 feetl" Dick, with
little laugh of satisfaction, replaced
his coat and joined the onlookers.
Harry Preston, 10 feet inchesl"
well done, Harry shouted the
spectators. "You tried hard for the
acres and the homestead Harry, who
wus u rattle-brained sort of fellow,
laugniugly 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 winning.
Charlie Simms, i5H feetl"
''Hooray for Charlie Charlie wins!"
cried The crowd, with good-natured sar-
cosm Charlie grinned, threw of his
disappointment with a slight uplift Of
his shoulders, and was soon creating
ionrs Of Ian, liter with his wit, which,