The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-10-07
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Village Prize.
A TALE OF WASHINGTON.

ia ,here lived in the year 10, and old maj
whose daughter was declared, by universe
=. consent, 10 be the lovlest maiden in all tn
country round. The veteran in his you'll
hadxbeen athletic and muscular above all hi
fellows and his breast, where he always wor
them. could show the adornment of tire
medals. received for his victories in gymnas
tic feats when young man. His daughie
was now eighteen, and had been sought il
marriage by many suitors. One brough
wealth-another fine person-another this
and and another that. But they were all re
fused by the old man, who became at last
hy-word fer his obstinacy among the young
men of the village and neighhorhood.
At length the nineteenth birthday of An
nette, his charming daughter, who was al
amable and modest as she was beautiful, ar
rived. The morning of that day, her 1a,he
invited all the youth of the country 10 hay
making frolic. Seventeen handsome and in
justrious young menassembled. They CANT
not only TO make hay but also 10 make low,
TO the fair Annette. In !hree hours they haC
filed the fathers barns with the newly drict
grass, and their own hearts with love. An
nette, by her fathers command, had brough
the malt liquor of her own brewing, which
she presented to each enamored swain with
her own fair hands.
Now, my boys said the old keeper the
Jewell they all coveted, as leaning on their
pitchforks they assembled round the door in
The cool of The evening, "Now, my lads, you
have nearly all ofyou made proposals for my
Annette. Now, you see, don't care any
thing about money or talents. book farming
nor soldier farming. l can do rs well by my
gal as any man in the country. But want
her TO marry man of my own grit. Now,
you know, or ought 10 know, when was a
youngster | could beat any thing in all Fir-
ginny in the way O. leaping. got my old
woman by beating the smartest man on the
Eastern Shore, and have look the oath and
sworn il, that no man shall marry my daugh-
ter without jumping for it. You understand
me, boys There's the green, and here's An
nette," he added, taking his daughter, who
stood timidy behind him, by the hand
Nov 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 10 The a.
rena OF trial, cast glance of anticipated vic
tory back uron the lovely object OF village
chivary. The maidens left their looms and
quilting frames, the children their noisy sports.
the slaves their labo., and the old men their
arm-chaIs and long pipes, 10 witness and
triumph in the success of the victor. All
prophesied and many wished ihatit would be
| younr Carroll. He was the handsomest and
hest humored youth in the country. and all
knew that a strong mutual attachment exis-
ted between him and the fair Annette. Car
roll had won the reputation of being the ''best
leaper," and in a country where such athletic
achievements were the sine qua non of
mans cleverness, this was no ordinary honor
In a contest like the present he had, there
fore, every advantage over his fellow dthie G.
The arena allotted for This hymenial cor
test was level space in front OF the village
inn. and near the centre ola grass Plat r,'ser-
we'd in the midst OF the village. GelominaIed
the gre H." The verdure was quite worn
off Fat this place by previousexercises ola sim
liar kind, and hard surface of sand more
bcfiting for the purpose 10 which it was to be
used. supplied IFS place.
The father OF the lovely, blushing, and
withal happy prize, (ior she well knew who
would VIM with three other patriarchal vii
layers, were the Judges appointed 10 decide
upon the claims OF the several competitors
The last time Carroll tried his skill in this
exercise, he "cleared," 10 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, sesenteen feet, cried
one of the Judges. The youth had done his
utmost. He was pale, intellectual student.
But what had intellect 10 do in such an are
MAJ Without look at the maiden he left
O"Dick Boulder, nneteenieetw Dick with
a laugh turned away, and replaced his coat.
"Harry Preston, nineteen feet and three.
inches. "-"Well done Harry Preston" shout
tedi:he spectators "you have tried hard for
the acres and homesteadn
Harry also laughed, and swore he only
jumped for the fun OF The thing. Harry was
rattle-brain fellow, but never thought of
matrimony. He loved to walk and talk, and
laugh and romp with Annette, but sober mar
rage never came into his head He only
jumped for the fun of the thing. He would
not have said so, if he was sure of winning.
"Charley Simms, fifteen feet and half
Hurrah for Charley! Charley'll win ~ cried
the crowd good-humoredly Charley SImms
was the cleverest fellow in the world. His
mother advised him 10 stay at home. and told
Dim II he ever won wife, she should fall in
love with his good temper, rather than his
legs. Charley however, made the trial of
the iatters capabilities and lost. Many refu-
sed to enter the lists altogether. Others made
the trial, and only one Of the leapers had YET
cleared twenty feet
"Now," cried the villagers, "let's see Hen
ry Carroll. He ought to beat this :" and ev-
cry one appeared, as they called 10 mind the
mutual love Of the last competitor and the
sweet Annette, as il they heartily wished his
success.
Henry stepped to his post with firm tread.
His eye glanced with confidence around up
on the villagers and rested, before he ooun-
ded forward. upon the face of Annette, as if |
to catch therefrOm that spirit and assurance
which the occasion called for. Returning |
tne encouraging glance with whicb.she met
nus ewn, with proud smile upon his lip, he
bounded forward.
Iwenty-one feet and Lalfr' shouted the
multitude, repeating the announcement of one
11 .he Judges, 'twenty-one feet and a half
larry Carroll forever. Annette and Harry
- caps, and handkerchiefs waved over
me neads Of the spectators, and the ewes Of
Inc delighied Annette sparkled with ioy.
Wnen Henry Carroll moved to his Station
In