Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-06-02
The village Prize.

In one OF the loveliest villages Of old Vir
gina there lived. in the year I775-an ode
old man, whose daughter was declared, by
universal consent, 10 be the loveiest maiden
IN all the country round. The veteran, in
has youth, had been athletic and muscular
above all his fellows; and his breast where
he wore them. could show the adornment Of
three medals; received for his victories in
gymnastlc feais when young man. His
daughter was now eighteen, and had been
sought IN marriage by many suitors. One
brought wealth--another a fine person
another this and another that But they
were all refused by the old man, who be-
came al last byword for his obs,inacy a.
mong the young men Of the village and
neighborhood
Al length, the nineteenth birth day Of An
nette, his charming daughter, who was as
amiable and modest as she was beautiful,
arrived. The morning of that day, her ia
Their invited all the youth OF the country to
a hay-making frolic. Seventeen handsome
and industrious young men assembled
They came not only 10 make hay, but also
TO make love 10 the fair Annette. In three
hours they had filled the fathers barns with
the newly dried grass, and their own hearts
with love. Annette by her fathers com
mand, had brought the malt liquor Of her
own brewing, which she presented TO each
enamoured swain with her own fair hands
Nov my boys" said the old keeper of
the jewel they all coveted. as, leaning on
their pltchiorks, they assembled round his
door in the cool Of the evening, "Now. my
lads, you have nearly all OF you made pro-
posals for my Annette. Now you see,
don't care any Thing about money or talents,
book farming nor soldier larning; can do
as well by my gal as any man in the coun-
try. But want her TO marry man of my
own grit. Now, you know, or ought 10
know, when was youngstcr, could beat
any thing in all Virginny IN the way o'leap.
ing. got my old woman by beating the
smartest man on the Eastern Shore; and
took the oath, and sworn it, 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 be.
hind him, by the hand. "Now, the one that
Jumps the larthest on dead level shall
marry Annette this very night"
This unique address was received by the
young men with applause. And many
youth, as he bounded forward 10 the arena
Of trial, cast glance Of anticipated victory
back upon the lovely object of village chiv-
airy. The maidens left their looms and
quilting framcs--the children their noisy
sporls--lhe slaves their labors, and the old
men their arm-chars and long pipes, 10
nd tr,., h. r.
victor. All prophesied, and many wished,
hat il would be young Carroll. He was
he handsomest and best humored youth in
he country, and all knew that strong and
mutual attachment existed between him and
he fair Annette. Carroll had won the re-
outation Of being the best leaper' and in a
where such athletic achievements
we're the sine qua nom of mans clever
less, this was no ordinary honor. In |
contest like the present, he had therefore ev-
Try advantage over his fellow 'alhlete'
The arena allotted for this hymenial con-
est, was level space in front Of the village
nm. and near the centre of grass plat, re.
erved in the midst of the village, denomin-
ted the green The verdure was quite
worm off at this place by previous exercises
t similar kind, and hard surface ofsand,
more befittingly for the purpose for which il
vas to be used. supplied its place
The father Of the lovely blusbing, and
IAppy prize (for she we'll knew who would
VIM with three other patriarchal villagers,
we're the judges appointed 10 decide upon
be claims Of the several competitors. The
lst time Carroll had tried his skill in this
xercise, he cleared TO use the leaper's
hraseology) twenty one feet and one inch