Litchfield enquirer., 1837-06-22
THR VILLAGE PRIZE.

In one of the lOveliest villages of old Virginia there lived, in the year I775- an odd and old man, whose daughter was declared, by universal consent, to be the loveliest maiden inuall the country round. The veteran in his youth, had been athletic and muscular above all his fellows and his breast, where he always wore them, could show the adornment of three medals, received for his victories in gymnastic feats when young man. His daughter was now eighteen, and had been sought in mar riage by many suitors. One brought wealth-ano.ber a fine person-another this, and another that. But they were all refused by the old man, who became at last by-word for his obstinacy among the young men of the village and neighborhood. At length the nineteenth birth-day of Annette, his charming daughter, who was as aMiable and modest as she was beautiful, arrived. The merning of that day, her father invited all the youth of the country to a hay-making frolic. Seventeen hand- some and industrious young men assem- bled. They came not only to make hay, but also to make love to the fair Annette. In three hours they had filled ;he father's barns with the newly dried grass, and their own hearts with love. Annette, by her fathers command, had brought the malt li- quor of her own brewing, which she pre- sented to each enamoured swain with her own fair hands.
 Now my boys," said the old keeper of the jewel they all coveted, as. leaning on their pitch-forks, they assembled round his door in the cool of the evening"" Now my lads, you have nearly all of you made proposals for my Annette. Now you see, I don't care any thing about money or tal- ents, book larning nor soldier farming; ! can do as well by my gal as any man in the country. But want her to marry man ofmy own grit. Now, you know, or ought to know, when was youngster, I could beat any thing in all Virginny in the way O leaping. got my old woman by beat ing the smartest man on the Eastern Shore; and have took the oath, and swornit, that no man shall marry my daughter without jumping for it. You understand me, boys. There's the green, and here's Annette" he added, taking his daughter, who stood timidly behind him, by the hand. "Now, the one that jumps the furtherest on a dead level, shall marry Annette this'very night"
 This unique address was received by the young men with applause. And many a youth, as he bounded gaily forward to the arena of trial, cast a glance of anticipated victory back upon the lovely object of vil- lage chivally. The maidens left their looms and quilting frames-the children their noisy sports-,he slaves their labors, and the old men their arm-chairs and long pipes, to witness aud triumph in the suc- cess of the victor. All prophcsied, and many wished, that it would be young Car roll. He was the handsomest and best hu. mored youth in the country, and all knew that a strong and mutual attachment existed between him and the fair Annette. Car roll had won the repusation of being the best leaper;' and in country where such athletic achievements were the sine qua non' of mans cleverness, this was no or- dinary honor. In contest like the pres ent, he had therefore every advantage over his fellow 'athlete.'
 The arena allotted for this hymenial contest, was level space in front of the village inn, and near the centre of grass plat reserved in the midst of the village, denomina,ed the 'green.' The verdure was quite worn off at this place by the previous exercises of similar kind, and hard sur- face of sand be6uingly for the purpose to which it was to be used, supplied its place.
 The father of the lovely, blnshing, and withal HAPPY prize, (for she well knew who would win) with three other patriarch- al villagers, were the judges appointed to decide upon the claims of the several com- petitions. The last time Carroll tried his skill in this exercise, he cleared Uo use the leaper's phraseology) twenty-one feet and one inch.
 The signal was given. and by lot the young men stepped into the arena.
 Edward Grayson, seventeen feet cri- ed one of the judges. The youth had done hIs utmost. He was pale, intellect ual student. But what had intellect to do in such an arena1 Withou, look at the maiden he left the ground.
 Dick Boulden, nineteen feet.' Dick, with laugh, turned away, and replaced his coat.
 Harry Preston. nineteen feet and three inches Well done Harry Preston,' shouted the spectators, tyou have tried hard for the acres and home-stead.'
 Harry also laughed, and swore he only jumped for the fun of the thing Henry was a rattle-brained fellow, but never thought of ma,rimony. He loved to walk and talk, and laugh and romp with Annette, but sober marriage never came into his head. He only jumped for the fun of the thiug.' He would not have said so if he was sure ofwinning.
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