The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-05-16

MARKET FOR YOU'VE WOMEN IN HUNGARY
Every year, at the feast of st. Peter, which
comes ON in the latter days of June, the peas
antry of this district (Bihar) meet together
at a certain place, for the purpose of general
fair. The fair has very peculiar interest tor
the young men and the young maidens, for 1t is
there that, whilst purchasing household utensils
and family necessaries, they choose for them
selves partners and conclude marriages. The
parents bring their marliageable daughters,
with each one her little dover accompanying
her, loaded up in small cart. This dover is
of course, proportionate to the low y condition
of these mountaineers-som 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.
Thus fitted out, every girl who desires to find
a husband betakes herself to the fair. She
quits the house of her father, perhaps forever
and bids her mother adieu quite ignorant OF
what roof is to shelter, or what fate awaits her
journeys end. As to her fortune, it is in the
little cart that attends her. The object of her
journey snever mistaken, nobody wonders at it,,
nor is there occasion for public officer to make
record of the deed. On the other hand, the
youths who wish to procure themselves wives
hasten to the fair arrayed in the very best skin
garments their chests contain. These savage
looking chaps, who would be quite enough to
make our young ladies run and hide themselves,
proceed with good deal of interest and zest
to inspect the fair mountain lasses that are
brought thither by aheir fathers and their un-
cles, casting many side glances and wistful
looks towards the captivating merchandise.
Is He gives his fancy a free rein, and when he
finds one that seems to claim his preference, he
at once addresses the parents, asks what they
have given her, and asks what price they have
set upon the ''lot'' SO exposed for sale-at the
same time stating his own property and stand
ing. If the parents ask too much, these gallant
ssboys' make their own offer, which ifit does
not suit the other to agree to, the fond lover
passes to seek some one else. ..
We may suppose that the proud young men
always keep a stop eye'open to the correspon-
dence of loveliness upon the one hand, and the
size of the dover upon the other. At last he
finds one for whom he. is willing to give the
price, and loud clapping of the hands to-
gether announces to the bystanders that the
bargain is completed.
What a heavy blow this must be for some
lazy aval who has not decided quick enough,
who is halting and considering whether she
will suit him, and whether she is as Lowell y and
accomplished in household matters AS some of
the Others However, the deed is done, and
the bargain is completed and forthwith the
young girl-poor thing-proceeds also to clasp
the hand of her future husband. What mo-
ment of interest and anxiety to her! The destl-
ny of her life is sealed by this rude clasp of
the hand. In this act she as much said, eyes,
I will be yours for life, and consent to par
take of your joys and your trouble, to follow
you through veal and through Woe
The families Of the betrothed pair then sur
round them, offering their congratulations, and
at once without delay, the priest who is on the
ground for the occasion, pronounce the nuptia
benediction. The young woman presses the
parting hand of that family who have reared
her, but of which she is no longer part
mounts t7le cart of her new husband, whom
but few hours before she never so much as
knew, and escorted by her dover, is conducted
to the house henceforward to be her home.
The Hungarian government have long tried,
but in vain, to suppress these fairs for young
girls. Positive orders have been given that
they should no longer take place, but such is
the force of long established custom, united to
such orders have been dsregarded. The fair
still continues, and every year such cavalcades
as we have described may be seen descending
into the plains Of Kalinnsa there to barter off
these precious jewels of the household as
though they were senseless beeyes OF mere
produce of the soil.
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We learn that very novel and singular lot
terry scheme is soon to be proposed in the city
Of Memphis by one of her most intelligent and
enterprislng gentlemen. The suggestion is
surely ingenious, and we wish it utmost sue
cess. 1t is as follows: Five gentlemen are to
be selected by the originator, accomplished,
intelligent and highlys seducated, of honorable
birth, upright character, and all from the south
ern states. These are to constitute the capital
prizes. Ten thousand is the number Of tick
cts that compose the scheme, at ten dollars a
TICKET. The drawing is to be conducted SINH
lar to the usual method of lotteries, under the
the control of disnterested board of mana
gers, and will take place as soon as the tickets
are disposed of. The csditions are these:
Should a single lady draw prize, it is at her
option to marry the gentleman or decline;
should she choose to marry, she takes with
him twenty thousand dollars; should she de-
cline, she renquishes onehalf of the money
to him, reserving the other to herself. Should
he decline the marriage, she pockets the twen-
ty thousand. Should married lady draw
a prize, she takes ten thousand leaving the
other half to the number drawn. A gentle
man is put on the same fooGpg as married
lady. The scheme is certainly entirely new
and presents many attractive features. We
await the authentic publication with some in
terest, assured that it will meet with ready
acceptance, and excite marTellc-ls interest.
The organization Of the club will be anticipa-
ted with especial interest, and haply some fair
maiden will win prize which will render her
two-fold gratifcation-the consoling en-
brace Of fond husband and a cool twenty
thousand, to pave the gilded path Of life, and
make happy times saddest moments:
Holly Springs Democrat.
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Let it be remembered that, to take food, is
to make man, Eating is the process by which
the noblest of terrestrial fabrics is constantly
repaired All our limbs and organs have been
picked up from our plates. We have been
served I'm at table many times over F,varv