The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-11-28
spectators, and the eyes Of the delighted
Annette sparkled with JOY. J.. ii. as.

Annette sparkieu wiz IVY -, "A.
When Harry Carroll moved TO MS sra
ton to strive for the prize TALL gehue
manly Young man in military u"''us'
coat. who had rode up to the inh' us
mounted and joined the spectators unPe'
ceived. While the contest was going 0"
he stepped suddenly forward, ana WIN
Lnoxinc eve measured deliberately me
amaze ACCOMPLISHED by the last leaper. ne
was a stranger in the village. His hand
some face and easy addrass attracted 'ne
owes of the village maidens, and his man
~ and siuewv frame, in which symmetry
and strength we're happily uniteu' ca''eu
.orth the admiration of the young men.
"Mayhap, sir stranger, you mink you
90, boat that" said one of the bystander,
remarkinr the manner in which The eye oil
The stranrer scanned the arena. III you
con lean be,ond Harry Carroll you'll beat
tb. hest man in the colonies. lac run
of this observation was assented 10 ny
general murmur. mr..
as it for mere amusement you are pur,
suing this pastimel" inquired the youthiul
stranger" or is there prize Tor tue
winnerT" .,.s
"She il the bride of him who outleaps
Harry Carroll. If YOU will try you are
free 70 do so. But let me tell you, Harry
Carroll has no wife in Virginia. Here Is
nv daughter, sir. Look at her and make
your trial" u
The Young officer glanced upon the
trembling maiden about TO be ohered on
the alter of her fathers incompetence
monomania with an admirlng eye. Inc
moor girl looked at Harry, who stood near
with a troubled brow and an angry eye
md then cast upon the. competitor all
imploring glance. M
Placing his coat in the hands of the
Judges. be drew sash he wore beneatn IL
| tighter around his waist, and, taxing the
amounted stand, be made, apparently
with out effort, the bound that was to de-
eide the happiness or misery OF Harry ana
| Annette.
"Twenty-two feet and an inch shouted
the Judge. The announcement was re-
heated with surprise by the spectators
Who Gro sded around the victor, hliing the
air with congratulations, not unm'hg'eo'
however. with loud murmers from those
who were more nearly interested IN the
happiness of the lovers.
The old man approached, and, grasping
his hand cxutingly. called HIM bis som
and said he felt prouder OF him than IT he
were Prince. The physical activity and
strength we're the old leaper's true patents
of nobility.
Resuming his coat, the victor 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.
Her lover stood aloof, gloomy and
mortified, admiring the superiority OF the
stranger in an exercise in which he prlded
himself as unriyaled, while he hated him
for his success.
annette, my pretty prize" said the
victor, taking her passive hand, Il nave
won YOU fairly" Annette's cheek became
naIer than marble. She trembled like an
aspen leaf and clung closer to her father,
while the dropping eye sought the form OF
her lover. His brow grew dark al the
strangers language.
81 have won you, my pretty Hover 10
make YOU a bridei-tremble not 50
vinlently-I mean not myself, however
nroud might be, :" he added with gallantry,
ito wear so fair gem next my hear''
perhaps." and he cast his eyes round III
onirinplv. while the current OF life Ieaped
| ioytuHv to her brow and murmur oil sur
mise ran through the crOwd-''perhaps
there is some favored youth among the
competitors who has higher claim 10
this level. Young sir" he continued,
turning to the surprised Harry, "methinks
YOU were victor in the list before me-
strove not for the maiden, though one
could not strive well for fairer, but from
love for the manly sport in which sa"
Won engaged. You are the victor, ana as
such, with the permission OF TINS worthy
assembly, receive from my hand the prize
you have so we'll and so hOuOrably won
Tie youth sprang forward and grasped
his hand with gratitude, aud the next
moment Annette was weeping from pure
ioy upon his shoulders. The welkIn rang
with the acclamation Of the delighted
villagers, and, amid the temporary excite
ment produced by the act, the stranger
withdrew from the crowd, mounted MS
horse and spurred at brisk trot through
the village.
That night Harry and Annette were
married and the health Of the mysterious
and noblehearted stranger was drank II
oeer-howing bumpers OF rustic beverage
In process of time there were born unto
the married pair sons and daughters, ant
Harry Carroll became Colonel henri
Carroll in the revolutionary army.
One evening, having just returned home
after hard campaign, he was sitting viii
his family on the gallery OF his handsome
country house, when an advance cOurie
rode up an announced the approach o
General Washington and suite, informing
him that be should crave his hosplialit.
for the night. The necessary direction
were given in reference TO the household
preparations, aud Colonel Carroll, order
, ing his horse, rode forward TO meet an'
escort to his house the distinguished CUES
, whom he had yet never seen, although
serving in the same widely extended army
That evening, at the table, Annette
, now become the digniiied. maiionly, AM
still handsome Mrs. Carroll, could no
keep her eyes from the face OF her Illus
: trous visitor. Every moment or two sh
would steal glance at his commanding
features, and hall doubtingly, halt assur
edly, shade her head aud look again, to b
still more puzzled. Her absence "a MINI
l and embarrassment at length becam
: evident to her husband, who inquired at
fectionately ii she were ILL.,
81 suspect, Colonel" said the General
who had been some time, with a quie
meaning smile, observing the lazy
curious and puzzled survey OF his feature
+ -"that Mrs. Carroll thinks she recognize
in me an old acquaintance" And h
smiled with a mysterious air, as he gaze
upon both alternately.
+ The Colonel stared, aud faint memor