The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-06-14
4 Selected Gale.
THE VILLAGE PRIZE
A TALE OF WASHINGTON.


In one of the lovelest villages Of old Virginia
there lived in the year '75--, an old man, whose
daughter was declared, by universal consent,
to be the lovliest maiden in all the country
round. The veteran in his youth had been ath-
letic and muscular above all 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 eighteen, and had been
sought in marriage by many suitors One
brought wealth fine person another
this, another 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 daughter, who was as anliable
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.
Seventeen handsome and industrious young
men assembled. They came not only to 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 brew.
ing, which she presented to each enamored
swain with her own hands.
"Now, my boys" said the old keeper ofthe
jewel they all coveted, as leaning Oh their pitch.
forks they assembled round the doorin the cool
fthe eveniug-"Now, my lads you have lcar-
" all of you made proposals for my Annette.
Now, you see, don't care anything about
money or talents; book learning nor soldier
learning--I can do as 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 to know, when war a yOungster could
beat anything in all Virginny in the way of
leaping. got my old woman by beating the
smartest man on the Eastern Shore, and have
took the oath and sworn it, that no man shall
marry my daughter without jumping forit. 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
"Now the one that jumps, the furthest on a
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 ofvillage chivalry. The
maidens lett their looms aud the quilting frames,
the children their noisy sports, the slaves their
labors, and the old men their arm-chairs and
long pipes, to witness and triumph in the sue
cess of the victor. All prophesied and many
wished that it would be young Carroll. He
was the handsomest and best humored youth
in the country and all knew that strong mu.
tual attachment existed between him and the
fair Annette. Carroll had won the reputation
ofbeing the best leaper, and in country where
| such athletic achievements whre the sine qua
none of mau's cleverness; this was no ordinary
honor. In contest like the present he had
therefore every advantage over his fellow ath-
LEILA.
The arena allotted for this hymeuial contest
was level space in front of grass plat, re-
served in the midst of the village, denominated
the green The verdure was quite worn off at
this place by previous exercises of similar
kind, and hard surface of sand, more BETTING
for the purpose to which it was to be used, sup
piled its place.
The father of the lovely, blushing and withal
happy prize, (for she well knew who would
win,) with three other patriarchal villagers were
the Judges appointed to decide upon the claims
of the several competitors The last time Car.
roll tried his skill in sexcrcise, he Cleared,
to nse the leapers phraseology twenty.onc 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
Withouta look at the maiden he left the ground.
8, Dick Boulden, nineteen feet, Dick with a
laugh turned away and replaced his coat.