Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-05-18
MISCELLANY.
THE VILLAGE PRIZE.

ginia there, lived, IN the year u.s., an old
man, whose daughter was declared, by unl-
versal consent, To be the lovelisst maiden in
all the country round. The veteran, in his
youth, had been athletic and muscular above
all his fellows u,id his breast, where he al
ways wore ihcui, could s!fow the adornment
of three medals, received for his victories in
gymnastic feats ~ hen a young man. His
daughter was now eighteen, and hal been
sought in marriage by many suitors. One
brought wealth--auother, fine persona
mother, this, aud another that. But they
we're all refused by the old man, who became
AT least "A by word lar his obstinacy aiming
the young inen OF the village aud neighbour
hood.
Al length the hincteehih birth day of An
ne,te, his charming daughter, who was as
amiablo and modest AZ she was beautiful, ar
rived. The morning of that day, her father
invited all the yonih Of the country to u hay.
making frolic. Ssyenleen handsome and in
dusiricus young msn assembled. They
came not only To make hay, bu, also to make
luvo 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 command, had
brought the malt liquor OF her own brew Ing
which she presented to each enamored swain
with her own fair hands.
Now my boys, said the aid keeper Vi the
jewel they all coveted, as leaning On their
piich>io.ks they assembled round the door in
the cool Of the evening, Now my lads, you
have nearly all of you made proposals Tor
my Annette. Now, you see, don't care a
ny thing about monsy or talents, book iarn-
ing, nor soldier laruing-i can do as we'll 10y
my Gal az any man in the country. Du.
want her To marty man OF my own grit.
Now, you know, or Oughttu know, when /
was youngster, ] could beat any thing in
Ill Virginny in The way o'leaping | got
my cid woman by heating the SINAI test man
on The Eastern Shore, and ! have took the
oath and sworn it, that no man shall marry
my daughter without jumping for il. You
understand me boys. There's the green, s.
here's Annetle,' he added, taking his daugh-
ter, who stood tiulidly behind h:,n, by the
hand. Now the one thai Jump The iurthest
on dead level shall marry Annette this
very minute
JLi.s unique address was received by the
young men with applause, And many u
youth us he bounded gaily forward 10 the u
rena OF trial, Casta glance Of anticipated vic
tory back upon the lovely object OF village
chivalry. The nnidens left their looms s.
quilting frames, the children their noisy
spots, tho slaves their labors, and the old men
their arm chairs and long pipes, TO witness
and triumph In the success q. the victor. All
prnphesied and many wisbed that IL IS ould be
young Carroll. He was The hapdsonaesl and
best humored youth in tue country, and all
knew that strong aud mutual attachment
existed between him and the fair Annette
Carroll had web the reputation of being The
best leaper, aud IN a country where such
athletic achievements were the SINE QUA
NON OF u mans cleyerness, this was no ordi-
uary honor. la a contest like the present he
had, therefore, every advantage over his fell
low dtHiefa.
The arena allotted for this hymeneal con-
iost, was u levrl spice in front of the village
inn, and near the centre Of grass plat, re-
served ia the midst oi the village, denomina-
led the green The yerdure was quite
worn OF ai this place by previous exercises
Of a similar kind. aud hard surface of sand
more beii,ingly for the purpose to which ii
was TO be used, supplied ds place.
The father vi the lovely, blushing, and
withal happy prize, for she well knew who
would win) with three Dlher puiriarchal Villa
gers were Che Judges appcinted 10 decide upon
the claims OF the several competitors. The last
time Ca:Iail tried his skill in this exercise,
te cleared 10 use the leaper's phraseology
twenty one lee; snd One ioeh.
The signal was given, aud by lot The young
men stepped into The arena.
one OF the Judges. The youth had done his
utmost. lie was pale, intellectua! student.
But what bad inieiiec. 10 do in such an are
ma: Without look at the maiden he left
the ground.
'Dick Bouitlen, nineteen feet Dick with
| laugh turned away, and replaced his coat.
Henry Preston, nineteen feet and three
| inches" We'll done Harry Preston, shou-
TED the spectators. you have tried hard tJr
the acres and homestead
Harry also laughed, and swore he only
jumped for the iun Of the thing. Henry was
raiile.brained fellow, but never thou hi Of
matrimony. He loved 10 wnlk and talk and
laugh and romr with Annette, but sober
| marriage never came into his head. He only
jumped for the fun Of the thing. He woult!
| not have said 80, il be was sure vi winning.
Charley Simms, fifteen feet and half.
Hurrah for Charley Charlie VII win = cried
The crowd goOdhumoredly. Charley SimfnS
was the cicyerest fellow IN the world. His
mother had advised him 10 stay at home, &
told him IL he ever won a wife, she would TALL
IN love with his good temper, rather than his
! legs. Charley however made the trial of the
ialter's capabilities and lost. Many refused
TO ester the lists altogether. Others made
the trial, and only one OF the leape,s bad We,
cleared twenty feet.
| Now, cried the villagers, let's gee Hen.
ry Carroll lie ought to beat this , and g.
very one appeared, as they called 10 mind
the mutual love Of the last cOmpetitoE and
The sweet Annette, az if they heartily wish.
ed his success.
Henry stepped 10 his pest with firm
Tread. His eye glanced with confidence a.
| round upon the villagers and rested, before