The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1865-10-04
A Village Prize.

lived in the year l75- an old man, whose daughter
was declared by universal consent to be the oveHest
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 gymnastic feats when young man.
His daughter was eighteen, and had been sought
in marriage by many suitors One brought wealth,
another fine person, another this and another that
But they were all refused by the old man, who became
at last byword for his obstinacy, among the young
men of the village and neighborhood.
At length the nineteenth birthday of Annette ar
rived. The morning of that day. her father invited
all the youth of the country to hay-making frolc.-
Seventeen handsome and Industrious young men as
sembled. They came not only to make hay, but also
to make love the fair Annette. In three hours they
had filled the fathers barns with the newy ydred grass
4 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 enamoured
swain, with her own fair hands.
sNow, my boys said the old keeper Of the ewelthey
all coveted leaning their pitchforks they all
sembed around the door in the cool of the evening;
'now my lads, you have nearly all of you made pro-
posals for Annette. Now you see, don't care any
/ thing about money or talent nor book larning, nor
soldier-larning. | can do as well by my gal as any
! man in the country. But want her to marry man
of nv own grit Now, you know, ought to know,
when was youngster, could beat anything in all
Virginia in the way of leaping. got my old woman
by beating the smartest man the eastern shore and
took the oath and swore it, that shall marry
my daughter without jumping for it, You understand
me, BOYS. There's the green, and here's Annette" :"
he added taking his daughter, who stood tmidly be-
hind him by the hand. Now the one that jumps the
fartheres on dead 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 back upon the lovely object of
village chivalry The madens left their looms and
quitting frames, the children their noisy sports, the
slaves their labors and the old men their 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 was The handsomest and besthumored
youth in the country and all know that strong mu-
tual attachment existed between him and the fair An
nette Carroll had the reputation of being the best
eaper and in a country where such athletic achieve
ments were the sine qua non OF q mans cleverness,
this was no ordinary honor.
The arena allotted for this hymenal contest, was q
level space in front of the village inn, and the
centre Of grass plot, reserved in the midst OF the
village denominated the green The Verdure was
quite off at this place by the previous exercise of a
similar kind and hard surface of sand more betting
for which it was to be used, supplied its place.
The father Of the lovely, blushing, and wthal hap
py prize, (for she well knew who would win,) with
three other patrarchal villagers, the judges ap
pointed to decide upon the claims of the several com
petors The last time Carroll tried his skill IN TINS
exercise, he 'cleared" to use leapers phraseooSy
twenty-one feet and one inch
The signal was given and by lot the young meI
, sepDed into the arena.
edward Ctrayson, seventeen feet cried one of the
;udres The youth had done his utmost He was
Iae intellectual STUDENT but what had intellect to dc
hi such an arena? Without look at the maIden III
( left Tie ground
"Die Daulden, nineteen feet !" Dick, with {
laugh turlel away and replaced his coat.
''Hatrg Preston, nineteen feet and three inches-
Wei doae, larry Preston p shouted spectators, ''yo'
have tel very hard for the acres and homestead
Harry also laughed, and swore he only jumped TO
tha gan sc tbe thing. Harry was a little rattle brai
fellow but never thought of matrmony. He love
ID walk and taIk, and jump with Annette; but sobe
marrying never entered his head. He only jumped 70
Tile fun oG 5hc thing. He would not have said so II
were sure Of winning.
ley t36la ii VIM cried the crowd gooa numo
edY Charley Simms the cleverest fellow in th
world. His mother advised him to stay at home, an
told him if he wife, she would fall in lov
D with his good temper rather than his legs Charlie
however made the trial of the laters capabilities, an
lost Many refused to enter the list altogether. on
ers made trial and only one of the leapers had "
s. cleared twenty feet.
snow" cried the villagers, ''lets see Henry Ca
roll He ought to beat this, ," and every one appeared
as they called to mind the mutual love of the la
competitor and the sweet Annette, as if they hearth
wished his success.
oy Henry stepped to his post with firm tread. II
eve glanced with confidence around upon the village
and rested upon the face Of Annette before he boundt
forward.
e'Twentyone feet and a half" shouted the null
It, tude repeating the announcement OF one OF Judge
''twenty-one feet and half Henry Carroll toreve
st Annette and Henry?" Hands, caps, and handke
chiefs waved the heads of the spectators, and Il
. eyes of the delighted Annette sparkled with joy.
When Henry Carroll moved to his station to str
for the prize tall gentlemanly young man, in mi
tary undress frock coat, who had rode up the in
dismounted and joined the spectators, unperceive
while the contest was going on stepped suddenly tc
Is ward and with knowing eye measured deliberate
of the space accomplished by the last eaper. He was
IN stranger in the village His handsome tace and ca
in address attracted the eyes of the village madens, al
his manly and sinewy Frame to which symmetry al
k strength happily united called forth the admin
it ton of the young men.
~ ~ ssMayhap sir stranger, you think you can be
that?n said one of the by-standers remarkng the ma
ner in which the eye of the stranger scanned the are1
m. eIf YOU can leap beyond Henry Carroll you'll be
81 the best man in the colonies" The truth Of this
servation was assented to by a general murmur.
1c 9f ''Is it for mere amusement you pursuing
Of pasme" inquired the youthful stranger cor is the
,rv a prize for the winner?"
cs- "Annctte the loyeles and wealthest of our villa
ad madens to be the reward of the victor cried one
ms the judges.
'tIs the list open to all ?"
m eAll Young sir p replied the father of Annet
with interest bis youthful ardor rising he survey
~ the proportions of the sraght-lmbed young strang
90 ''she is the bride of him who oueaps Henry Carrc
90 If you will try you free to do SO. But let me
90 you, Henry Carroll has no equal in Virginia. Here
90 my daughter sir look at her. and make your trial
The officer glanced upon the trembling maid'
about to be offered the altar of her fathers MOI
mania, with an admiring eye. The poor girl look
at Henry, vino stood near with a troubled brow and
angry eye, and then cast upon the new competitor
, imporing glance.
'et Placing his coat in the hands of one of the udg
he drew a sash be wore beneath it, tighter round
waist and taking the appointed stand, made, apE
renty without effort, the bound that was to decide
happiness or misery of Henry and Annette.
oer 'Twenty-two feet and inch !" shouted the jud
The shout repeated with surprise by the spec
tors, who crowded around the victor, filing the