American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-19
T He VILLA GE IXE.
A TALE OF WASHINGTON.

In one of the Ioveliost villages of old Virgil
MIA their lived in the year Id, an old man,
whose daughter was declared, by universal con-
sent to be the loVliest maiden in all the coun-
try around. The veteran, in his youth, had
been athletic and muscular above all his fell
lows; and his breast where he always wore
them, could show the adornment Of three me-
dals, received for his victories in gymnastic
teats when young man. His daughter was
now eighteen, and had been sought in mar
rage by many sutors. One brought wellth-
another fine person-another this, another
that. But they were all refused by the old
man, who became at last by word for his OBJ
stinacy am ng the young mon of the village
and neghbolhood.
At length the nineteenth birth day of An
nette, his charming daughter, who was as ami
bic and modest as she was beautiful, arrived
The morning of that day, her father invited all
the youths OF the country to a haymaking flo
lie. Seventeen handsome and industrious
! young men assembled, They came not only
10 make hay, but also to make love to 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 brewing, which she presented to
each enamorcd swain with her own fair hands
Now, my boys, said the old keeper of the
level they all coveted, as leaning on their
pitchforks they assembled around the door in
the cool of the evening, Now, my lads, you
have nearly all of you made proposals for my
Annette. Now, you know, or ought to know,
when was youngster could beat anything
in the way o'leaping. got my old woman by
beating the smarteSt man on the Eastern shore;
| have took the oath that no one shall marry
my daughter without jumping for it. You un-
derstand me, boys. There is the green, and
here's Annette" he added, taking his daugh-
ter who stood timdly behind him, by the
hand. CHOW, the one that 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
of trial, cast glance of anticipated victory
back upon the lovely object ofviIlage chivalry
The madens left their looms and quilting
frames, the children their noisy sports, the
slaves their labors, and the Old men their arm
chairs aud long pipes, to witness and triumph
in the success of the victor. All prophesied
and wished that it would be young Carroll
He was the handsomest and best humored
youth in the country, and all knew that mu-
. tual attachment existed between him and The
fair Annette. Carroll had won the reputation
Of being the chest leaper" and in a country
where such athletic achievements were the
sine Quu non of mans Clcyerness, this was no
ordinary honor.
The Arena allotted for this hymeneal contest
was a level space in front of the village inn,
and near the centre of grass plat, reserved in
the midst of the village denominated the
4 "green." The verdure was worn off at the
4 place by previous exercises of similar kind
and hard surface of sand, more benefittng for
the purpose to which it was TO be used, sup
: piled its place.
Phe father of the lovely, blushing, and with
al happy prize, (for she well knew who would
I 'wn,) with three other patriarchal villagers,
were the Judges appointed to decide upon the
claims of the several competitors. The last
time Carol tried his skill in the exercise, he
"ceared," to 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, 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 arena? Without
look at the maiden he left the ground.
"Dick Boulder, nineteen feet" Dick with
laugh turned away, and replaced his coat.
"Harry Preston, nineteen feet and three inch
esq "Well done Harry Preston, SHOUTED the
spectators, ''you have tried hard for the acres
and homestead"
Harry also laughed, and swore he only jump
|. ed for the fan of the thing. Harry was rat
Pftle-brained fellow, but never thought of matri-
mony. He loved to walk and talk, and laugh
and romp with Annette, but sober marriage
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 a half
Hurrah for Charley Charley III VIM cried the
crowd good humoredly. Charley Simms was
the cleverest fellow in the world. His mo-
Their advised him to stay at home, and told him
if he ever won wife, she would fall in love
with his good temper rather than his legs
Charley, however, made the trial OF the iatter's
capabilities and lost Many refused to enter
the list altogether. Others made the trial, and
only one of the leapers had yet cleared twenty
feet.
"Now," cried the villagers, ''let's see Henry
Carroll. He ought to beat this" and every
one appeared, as they called TO mind the mu-
tual love of the last competitor and the sweet
Annette, as if they heartily wished his success.
Henry stepped to his post with firm tread.
His eve glanced with confidence around upon
the villagers and rested, before he bounded for
ward, upon the face of Annette, as to catch
iherefrom that spirit and assurance which the
occasion called for. Returning the encourag-
ing glance with which she met his own, with
proud smile upon his lip he bounded for
ward