Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-05-05
THEFVILLAGE PRIZE.

TALE OF WASHINGTON AND HIS TINES.
In one of the loyciest villages of old Vir-
gnia there lived in the year 10, an old man.
whose daughter was declared, by universal
consent, to be the lovelicst maiden in all the
country round. The veteran, in his youth.
had been athletic 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 gymnas-
lie feats when young man. His daughter
was now eighteen, and had been sought in
marriage by many suitors. One brought
wealth-arother a fine person-another this,
another that Bnt they were all refused by
the old man, who became at last a by-word for
his obstnacy, among the young men of the
village and ncighborhood.
At length the nineteenth birth day of An
netie, his charming daughter, who was as ami
able and modest she was beautiful, arrived.
The morning Of that day, her father invited
ali the youth of the country to a haymaking
frolic. 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 enamored swain with her own fair hands.
s.NOw, my boys" said the old keeper of the
Jewel they all coveted, as leaning on their
pitcbforks they all assembled round the door
in the cool Of the evening, ssnow, my lads, you
have nearly all of you made proposals for my
Annette. Now, you sec, L don't care any
thing about mOn:y or talents, bOok-larning
nor solder-larning. 1 can do as well by my
gal as any man in the country. But ! want
her to marry man of my own grit. Now:
Sou know, or ought TO know, when | was a
Soungstcr, | could beat anything in all Vir-
3inny in the way of lcaping. | got my old
woman by beating the smartcst man on the
Eastern Shore, and have took the oath and
sworn it, that no man shall marry my daughter
without jumping for it. You understand me,
boys. There's the green, and here S Annette, :"
le added, taking his daughter, who stood tim
idly behind him, by the hand. Snow, the
that jumps the farthest on ssdcad 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
hack upon the lovely object of village 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 witness and triumph
in the success of the victor. All prophesied
and wished that it would be young Carroll.
He the handsomest and best-humored
youth in the country, and all knew that a
strong mutual attachment existed between
him and the fair Annette. Carroll had won
the reputation of being the ssbest leaper,' and
in country where such athletic achievements
were the sine qua of mans cleyerneSS,
this was no ordinary honor.
The arena allotted for this hymeneal contest
was level space in front of the vilage-inn,
and nearthe centre of grass plat, reserved
in the midst of the village, denominated the
.sgreen.' The verdure was quite off at this
place by previous exercises of similar kind
and hard surface of sand, more befitiing for
which it was to be used, supplied its place.
The father of the lovely. blushing, and with
al happy prize, (for she we'll 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 Carroll tried his skill in this exercise, he
ssclearcd,' to use the leaper's praseology,
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 a pale, intellectual student.
Bnt what had intellect to do in such an arena
Without look at the maiden, he left the
ground.
s.Dick Boulden, nineteen fcetp' Dick, with
laugh, turned away, and replaced his coat.
ssHarry Preston, nineteen feet and three
inches. Well done, Harry Preston l' shouted
the spectators, sEyou have tired hard lot the
acres and homestead"
Harry also laughed, and swore he only jump
ed for the fun of the thing. Harry was rat
tle-brain fellow, but never thought OF matrl
mony. He loved to walk and talk, ana iaugr
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 were sure of winning.
s'Charley Simms, fifteen feet and haii
Hurra for Charley Charley'll win ~ cried the
crowd, good -humoredly. Charley Simms wa
the cleverest fellow in the world. His mother
advised him to stay at home, and told him
he ever won wife, she would fall in love witt
his good temper rather than his legs. Char
ley, however, made the trial of the latter
capabilities and lost. Many refused to ente
the list altogether. Others made the trial
and only one of the leapers had yet cleared
twenty feet.
ssNow,;' cried the villagers, let's see Henr,
Carroll. He ought to beat this,'' and ever,
one appeared, as they called to mind the mu
tual love of The last competitor and the swee
Annette, as heartily wished his success