Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-07-12
4 Select Gnlc.
THE VILLAGE PRIZE.

In one OF the lovelicst villages of old
Virginia, there lived, in the year IL, an
odd old man, whose daughter was declared,
by universal consent, to be the lovcliest
maid in all the country round. The vet
eran, in his youth, had been athletic and
muscular above all his fellows; and his
breast where he always wore them, could
show the adornmpnt of three medals, re-
ceived for his victories in gymnastic teats
when a young man. His daughter was
now eighteen and had been sought in mar
riage by many suitors. One brought
wealth---another military talents-another
this and another that But they were all
refused by the old man, who became at
last bye-word for his obStinacy among
the young men of the village and neighbor-
hood. At length the nineteenth birthday
Of the fair Annette, his charming daugh-
ter, who was as amiable and modest as she
that day, the father invited all the young
men of the country to a hay-making irolic.
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. Annette, by her fathers com
mand, had brought 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 of
the jewel they all coveted, as leaning on
their pitchforlts they all assembled round
his door, in 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 anything about
money, talents, nor book-learning can
do as well by my gal as any man in the
country. But | want her 10 marry man
of my own Gift.
Now, you know, or ought to know,
when | was youngster, | could beat any
thing in old Virginia in the way of leaping.
| got my old woman by beating the smart
est man on the eastern shore, and / have
vowed that no man shall marry my daugh-
ter without jumping for it. You under
stand 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 furthcst on a dead level, shall marry
Annette this very night"
The unique address was received by the
young men with applause. And many
youth, as he bounded forward to the arena
of trial, cast glance of anticipated victory
back upon the lovely object of village
chivalry. The maidenS left their looms
and quilting frames, the children their moi
sy sports, the slaves their labors, and the
old men their arm chairs and long pipes,
to witness the triumph and success 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
and mutual attachment existed between
him and the fair Annette.
Carroll 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 contest like the pre-
sent he had, therefore, every advantage
over his fellow comrades.
The arena allotted for this hymenial con-
test, was a level space in front OF the viii
lage inn, and near the centre OF grass
platt, reserved in the village, denominated
''the green" The verdure was quite worn
off at this place by previous exercises of a
similar kind, and surface of sand more
beftting for the purpose for which it was
to be used, supplied its place.
The father of the lovely, blushing, and
withal happy prize, (tor she knew who
would win,) with three other patriarchal
villagers, were the judges appointed to de-
eide upon the claims of the several CON-
Ipetltors. The last time Carroll tried his