Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-10-26
The Market for. Selling Young WO.
men I'M Hungary. a9

u Ne uWaFACt nOE Sel1luK XOunR w
men I'M Hungary. aa.
Every year, at the feast of st. Peter which
comes off in the latter days Of June, the peasant
ry of this district, (Biha) NEE. together at cer
tain place, for the purpose of general fair This
fair has very peculiar interest for the young men
and the young madens, for it is there, that, whilst
purchasing household utensils, and family neces-
saries, they choose for themselves partners, and
conclude marriages. The parents bring their mar
riageable daughters, with each one her little dow
er accompanying her, loaded up in small cart.
This dover s of course, proportiohate to the low
ly condition Of these NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. sheep,
sometimes few hogs, or even chickens. These
girls are attired in their best, or what pieces of
gold or silver they may possess, are strung upon
string and neatly attached to the braids of their
hair. {. I aQt9a s4f ~ e.4s.i,f
Thus fitted out, every girl who desires to inda
husband betakes herselfto the fair. She quits the
house Of her father, perhaps forever, and bids her
mother adieu, quite ignorant of what roof is to
shelter her, or what fate awaits her at her Jour-
ney's end As to her fortune, it is in little cart
that attends her. The object of her journey is
never mistaken no body wonders at it, nor is there
occasion for public officer to make record ofthe
deed. On the other hand, the youths who wish to
procure themselves wives, hasten to the fair ar
rayed in their very best skin garments their chest
contains. These savage looking chaps, who would
be quite enough to make our young ladies run and
hide themselves, proceed with good deal of in
teres and zest to inspect the fair mountain lasses
that brought thither by their fathers and their
uncles, casting many side glances and wist full
looks towards the captivating merchandise. He
gives his fancy free rein, and when he finds one
that seems to claim his preference, he at once ad-
dresses the parents, asks what they have given her.
and asks what price they have set upon the 6 lot'
50 exposed for sale-at the same time stating his
own property and standing. If the parents ask
90 much, these gallant boys" make their own OF
er, which, fit does not suit the other to agree to,
he fond lover passes to seek some one else.
We may suppose that the prudent young men
always keep . top-eye" open to the correspon-
lence of loveliness upon one hand, and the size
# the dover upon the other. AT last he finds one
or whom he is willing to give the price, and loud
tapping of the hands together, announce TO the
'ystanders that the bargain is complete. What a
'low this must be for some lazy rival who is halt
ng and considering whether She will Suit him,
nd whether she is as lovely and accomplished
n household matters as some of the others
However, the deed is done and the bargain is
and forthwith the young girl (poor
hing y proceeds also to clasp the hand of her fa-
ure husband. What moment of interest and {
nxiety to her The destniny of her life IS sealed
y this rude clasp of the hand. In this act she as
much as said, " Yes, will be yours for life, and
consent 10 partake of your joys and your trou-
les to follow you through veal and through woe!''
The families Of the betro.hed pair then surround
lem, offering ,heir Congratulations, and at once,
'ithout delay, the priest who is upon the ground
II the occasion, pronounces the nuptial benedic-
on Then comes the moment Of separation.
he young woman presses the parting hand off.
lat family who have reared her, but Of which she
no longer a part-rfiounts the cart Of her new
lsband, whom but a few hours before she never
} much as knew, and escorted by her dover, is
,nducted to the house thencsforward to be her
,nie. - 1s*H
The Hungarian Government has long tried, but
vain to suppress these fairs for young girls
ositive orders have been given, that they should
longer take place, but such is the force Of oLg
tablished custom. united to the necessities Of :
is pastoral race, that all such orders have been
sregarded. The fair still continues, and every !,
ar such cavalcades as we have described may :
seen descending into the plains Of Kalinasa, !,
ereto these precious jewels ofthe house
Id tree as though they were senseless beeyes or y
ere produce of the soil. en