The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-03-09

Harry Preston, nineteen feet three
inches! p
"Well done, Harry" shouted the
spectators. you tried hard for the
acres and the homestead"
Charlie Simms, fifteen and one half
feetl'
He turned away crestfallen. 1t was
clear he had no chance to win the fair
prize. Then came Henry Carroll
handsome, athletic and confident. He
cast a swift glance at his sweetheart
and at the villagers, and then, with a
| CLEAN of triumph in his eye, he boun-
ded forward.
Twenty, one feet and a half. A
magnificent leap!' cried the judge.
"HUrray for Harry CARROLL"
Hands, hats and handkerchiefs were
waved wildly by the delighted villa
gers, and the eyes of the happy An
nette spark!ed with joy.
Now, just before Harry had leaped a
stranger had entered the throng un-
perceived. He vas a tall, g~entlemanly
young man in G. military undressed
frock coat, who had at that moment
arrived on horseback before the inn.
He was just in time to witness Car
rolls great leap.
The mans handsome, free 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,
remarking the manner in which the
newcomer scanned the arena. IF
you can outleap Harry Carroll, you
beat the best man in the colonies"
us it for amusement you are pur-
suing this p~astirne9" inquired the
youthful stranger, "or is there a prize
for the winner7"
1.-The sweetest prize man ever strove
for" answered the judges. "Yonder
she stands"
The stranger cast a respectful glance
at the blushing maiden, and his eyes
looked admiration.
"Are the lists open to all9" he asked.
"All, young sir" replied Annette's
father with interest. IF you will try
you are free to do go. Here is my
daughter, sir look at her and decide"
With q smile the ewcomer threw
off his coat, drew his sash tighter
around his waist and stepped forward.
Ali hearts stood still as the young man
bounded forward.
Twenty two feet and an inchI" The
judges words were received with muir
murs of surprise and wonder. Not
without a feeling of pity for poor
Harry, all crowded round the new vic
tor, offering him their congratulations.
R9suming his coat, the stranger sought
with his eye the fair prize he had,
although nameless and unknown, so
fairly won. she leaned upon her
fathers arm pale and distressed.
Poor Harry Carroll stood eloof, ad-
miring the stranger for his ability, but
hating him for his success.
Annette, my pretty prize" said the
victor, taking her passive hand, II
have won you fairly, but l think there
is a favored youth among the competi-
tors who has a higher claim than mine.
Young SIR" he continued, turning to
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 well
and h%onorably won."
The youth sprang forward and
grasped the strangers hand with graft
tuda, and the next moment Annette
was weeping from pure joy upon his
breast. The place rang with the accla
nations of the delighted people, and
amid the excitement the newcomer
withdrew, ~remounting his horse, and
rode briskly out of the village.
That night Harry and Annette were
married. Several years later Harry
Carroll became Colonel Harry Carroll.
One evening the colonel was sitting on
the piazza Of his handsome country
house, when a courier rode up and an
nounced the approach Of General
Washington and suit, who would crave
the ~colonel's hospitality for the night.
That evening at the table Annette,
now the dignifed, matronly and still
handsome Mrs. Carroll, could not keep
her eyes from the face of her iliustrious
visitor. II suspect, colonel" said the
general, that Mrs. Carroll thinks she