Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-02-26
THE VILLAGE PRIZE.

In one Of the loyeliest villages in old Virgin.
ia, there lived in the year 10. an old man
whose daughter was declared by universal con.
sent, to be the loyeliest maiden in all the coun-
try around. 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. re-
ceived for his victories in gymnastic fcats when
Young man. His daughter was now eighteen
and had been sought in marriage bv many suit.
ors. One brought wealth-another fine person
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 neghborhood
At length the nineteenth birth day of An
nettc. his charming daughter, who was as amia-
bic and modest as She was beautiful arrived
The morning of that day, her father invited all
the youth of the country TO hav,naking frolic
Seventeen 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 fathers
barns with the newly dried grass, and their own
hearts with love. Annette, by her fathers COM
Brewing, Ihch'ght Presented rs eacfFchahlout.
ed swain with her own fair hands.
Now my boys, said the old keeper of the
jewel they so much coveted. as leaning on the
iron pitchiorks they all assembled. 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 mon
ey 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 man
of my own grit Now, YOU know or ought to
know, when was youngster could beat
anything in all Virginia in the way of leaping.
got the old woman by beating the smartest
man ON the Eastern Shore, and have took the
oath, and sworn il. that no man shall marry my
daughter without jumping for her. 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 tartheSt on dead level,
shall marry Annette this very night.
This unique address was received by the
young men with applause. And many a youth
of trial cast glance of anticipated victory back
upon the object of chvalry. The maidens left
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 vic
tor. All prophesied and wished that it would
be young Carroll. lie was the handsomest and
best humored youth in the country, and all .new
that strong mutual attachment existed between
him and the fair Annette. Carroll had won the
reputation of being the hest leaper; ! and in a
country where such athletic achievements were
the 'sina qua nom of mans cleverness, this was
no ordinary henor
The arena allotted for this hymenial contest
was level place in the front of the village inn,
and near the centre of grass plat reserved in
the midst Of the village, dcnominated the
green The verdurc was quite worn off at
this place. by previous exercises of similar
-.,..l 1 l..Ea
ting for which it was to be used, supplied its
place.
The father of the lovely, blushng and withal
happy prize, for she well knew who would win, J
with three other patriarchial villagers, were the
judges appointed to decide upon the claims of
the several competitors The last time Carroll
tried his skill in the exercise, he cleared, 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 has
intellect to do in such an arenaP Without a
look at the maiden he left the ground
Dick Doulden, nineteen feet. Dick, with a
laugh, turned away and replaced his coat,
Harry Preston, nineteen feet and three inch
NH' WI NphN' ii"il lSSNbh NilSu liiV slCN-
tators, you have tried hard for the acres and
homestead. Harry also laughed, and swore he
only jumped for the fun of the thing. Harry
was a rattle-brained fellow, but never thought
of matrimony. He loved to walk and talk with
Annette, but sober marriage never entered his
head. He only jumped for the fun of the thing
lie would not have said so if he were sure Of
winning.
Charley Simms, fifteen feet and half. Hur-
rah for Charley! Charley'll win cried the
crowd good humoredly. Charley was the clev-
crest fellow in the world. His mother advised
him to stay at home, and told him if he even
won wife she would fall in love with his good
temper rather than his legs. Charley however
made the trial of the latter's capabilities and
lost. Many refused to enter the lists altogeth,
er. Others made the trial and only one of the
leapers 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 mutual love of the last com.
petitor and the sweet Annette, as if they hear.
tily wished his success.
Henry stepped to his post with firm tread
81, Al, 4