Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-06-18
THE VII PRIZE.
BY PROF. J. 2. lNeRAHAm.

In one Of the loveliest villages of old
Virginia, there lived in the year U.s., an
old man, whose daughter was declared, by
universal consent, to be the ioveliest mai
cen in all the country round. The vete.
ran. in his youth, had been athletic and
muscular above 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 eigh-
teen, and had been sought in marriage by
many suitors. One brought weaIth-ano-
ther fine person another this, and ano.
Their 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 birthday Of
Annette, his charming and beautiful daugh-
Ter, who was as amiable and modest as She
was beautiful, arrived. The morning of
that day, her father invited all the youth
OF the country TO hay. making frolic. Sc
venteen handsome and Industrious Young
men assembled. They came not only to
make hay, but also 10 make love TO the
fair Annette. In three hours they had FL
led the fathers barn with the newly dried
grass, and their own hearts with love.
Annette, by her fathers command. had
brought the malt liquor of her brewing,
which she presented to each enamored
swain with her own fair hands.
"Now, nay boys" said the old keeper
nj 3oo fbas J..
their pitchforks they assembled round the
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 anything about money or tai.
ents, book larning or soldier larning-I can
do as we'll 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, could
beat anything 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 sworn it, ,ha.
no man Shall marry my daughter without
jumping for it. You understand me, boys.
There's the green, and here's Annette" he
0uuOus s@AuS lao UouSHtCIs VIII StOOU tIIu-
idly behind him, by the hand. "Now
the one that jumps the farthest 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 glance Of anticipated
victory back upon the lovely object OWL
lage chivalry. The maidens left their
looms and quilting frames, the children
their noisy sports, the slaves their labors,
and the old men their arm.chairs and long
pipes, to witpess and triumph in the sue
cess Of the victor. All prophesieG and
many wished that itwould be young Car
roll. He was the handsomest ahd best
humored youth in the country, and all
knew that strong mutual attachment ex>
listed between him and the fair Annette.
Carroll had won the reputation of being
the best leaper," and in country where
such athletic achievements were the sine
qua non Of a mans cleverness, this was no
ordinary honor. In contes, like the pre-