Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-03-11
THE VILLAGE PRIZE.

In one of the Ioveliest villages in old .
Virginia. there lived in the year 176-, f.
an old man, whose daughter was declar :
ed, by universal consent, to be the love o
liest maiden in all the country around =
The veteran, in his youth, had been r
athletic and muscular above all his fell
lows; 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-anether' a fine per-
son-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 neighborhood.
At length the nineteenth birth day of
Annette, his charming daughter, who was
as amiable and modest as she was beau
tiful, arrived. The morning of that day,
her father invited all the youth Of the
country to a haymaking frolic. Seven
teen handsome and industrious young
men assembled. They came not only to
make hay, but also to make love to fair
Annette.
In three hours they had filed the fa-
theirs barns with 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.
Now my boys said the old keeper Of
the jewel they so much coveted, as lean
ing on the iron pitchforks, they all assem-
bled, in the cool of the evening; now,
my lads, you have nearly all Of you made
proposals for my Annette. Now, you
see, 1 don't care anything about money or
talents, book learning, nor soldier learn
ing. can do as well by my gal as any
man in the country. But want her to
marry a man of my own grit. Now,
you know or ought to know, when l was
youngster, could beat anything in all
Virginia in the way Of leaping. l got
the old woman by beating the smartest
man on the Eastern Shore, and have
took the oath,and sworn to it,that no mar
shall marry my daughter without jump
ing for her. 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 farthest on
dead level shall marry Annette thi
very night.
This unique address was received b.
the young men with applause. An
many a youth of trial cast a glance c
anticipated victory back upon the sui
ject Of chivalry. The maidens LETT thei
looms and quilting frames. the childre
their noisy sports, the slaves their labor
and the old men their arm chairs an
long pipes, to witness and triumph in th
success of the victor. All prophesie
and wished that it would be young Ca
roll. He was the handsomest ard be
humored youth in the country, and a
knew that strong mutual attachment e:
listed between him and the fair Annett
Carol had won the reputation of beir
the best leaper : and in a COUNT
where such athletic achievements we
the sina quo non of mans clevernea
this was no ordinary honor.
The arena allotted for this hymeni
contest was a level place in the front
the village inn, and near the centre of
grass plat reserved in the midst of t
village, denominated the green T
verdure was quite worn off at this pla
by previous exercises Of a similar kir
and hard surface of sand, more beftti
for which it was to be used, supplied
place.
The father of the lovely, blushing a
withal happy prize, (for she well kn
who would win,) with three other pat
archial villagers, were the judges appoi
ed to decide upon the claims of the s.
eral competitors. The last time Carr
tried his skill in the exercise, he Gle
ed to use the leaper's phraseology, tw
ty-one feet and one inch.
The signal was given, and by lot
young men stepped into the arena.
Edward Grayson, seventeen feet, CT
one of the judges. The youth had done
utmost; he was pale, intellectual 5
dent, but what has intellect to do in 81
an arena? Without a look at the mai
he left the ground
Dick Doulden, nineteen feet. D
with a laugh, turned away and repla
his coat.