The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-05-10
SELECTED TALES.
THE VILLAGE PRIZE.

THE VILLAGE PRIZE.
In one of the loveliest villages of old Vir-
ginia there lived, in the year I75-, an odd
old man, whose daughter was declared by
universal consent to he the loveliest maiden
in all 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 adorn-
ment of three medals, received for his VIC
tories in gymnastc ieats when young man.
HIS daughter was now eighteen, and had
been sought in marriage by many suitors.
One brought wealth-anotber, fine per-
son-another, this-and another that. But
they were all refused by the old man, who
became at last byeword for hIs obstinacy
among the young men of the village and
neighborhood.
At length the nineteenth birthday Of
Annette, his charming daughter, who was
as umlable and modest as she was beaut-
ful, arrived. The morning of that dav, her
father invited all the youth of the country
to haymaking frolic. Seventeen hand
some and industrious young men assembled.
They came no; only to make hay, but also
to make love TO the fair Annette. in three
hours they had filled the fathers barns with
the new y-dried grass, and their own hearts
with love. Annette, by the fathers com
mand, had brought the malt liquor of her
own bre wing, which she presented to each
enamoured swain with her own hands.
"Now, my boys" said the old keeper of
the jewel they all coveted, as leaning on
their pitchtorks they assembled round his
door i'll the cool of the evening" Now,
my lads, you have nearly all of you made
proposals for my Annette. Now, you see,
| don't care any thing about money or tai
ents, bonh-larning nor oldier-arning-I
can do as well by my gal as any man in the
country. Bat | want her to marry man
Of my,own grit. Now, you know, or ought
to know, when | was youngster, could
beat any thing in all virg nUy, IN the way
of leaplng. got my old woman by beat
ing The smartCst man Oh tho Eastern Shore
aud have took the cath and sworn it, that
no man shall marry my daughter without
jumping for II. 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" Nov,
the cue who jumps the furthest 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 gaily forward to the
arena of trial, cast a glance of anticipated
victory back upon the lovely object Of vii
lage chlvalry. The maidens left their looms
and quilting frames, the children their noisy
sports, the slaves their labors, and the old
men their arm-chars and long pipes, to
witness and triumph in the success of the
victor. All prophesied and many wished
that 1t would be young Carroll. He was
the handsomest and best humored youth in
the country; and all knew that a strong
and mutual attachment existed between
him and the fair Annette. Carol had won
the reputation of being the "best leaper,"
and i'll a country where such athletic achve-
men;s were the Sine qua non of mans clev-
e.ness, this was no ordinary honor. In
contest like the present, he had therefore
every advantage over his fellow athlete.
The arena allotted this hymenial contest
was a level space in front of the village inn,
aud near the centre of grass plat, rescry-
ed IN the midst of the village, denomlnated
the green The verdure was quite worn
OIL at this place by previous exercises of a
similar kind, and hard surface of sand
more betting for the purpose to which i,
was to be used, supplied its place.
The father of the lovely, blushing, aud
withal HAPPY prize (for 4hc well knew who
would VIM with three other pa,riarchai Vi
layers were the judges appointed to decide
upon the claims of the several competitors.
The last time Carroll tried his skill in thi.
exefcise, he cleared to use the leaper's
phraseology, twenty-one feet and one inch.
The signal wa given and by lot the
young men stepped into the arena.
Edward Gravson, seventeen feet cried
one of the Judges. The youth had done
his utmost He was pale, intellectual,
student. But what had intellect to do in
such an arenal Without a look at ,ne
maiden he left the ground
Dick Bouden nineteen feet Dick
with laugh turned away, aud replaced his
coat.
Harry Preston nineteen fee; and three
inches Well done, Harry Prestop,
shouted the spectators, you have tried hard