Omaha daily bee., 1906-07-22
JOLLY MAID A.FISHING GOES
American Girl Casts n Line In HOI-
land and Lands q
Husband.

Miss Anita Mercer OF Worcester Mass,
will be married next month to Allen Carter
Watson Of New York as the result OF her
participation in the strangest lottery in
the world-and It is hlnted rank bribery
on the part Of her husband-to-be.
She won her husband in the famous lot
terry held al Maradidi, in Hungary, on IAN
Husbands day"-Jsnuary 19-when every
bachelor in the Village writes his name
upon a card and casts 1t into a great tub
on the village square, and every single
woman in the village and Tor miles around
approaches the tub with long pole spiked
at the end and fishes for husband. She
plunges this sarp-spiked poke into the big
bran tub. transfxes card with Il, and
draws It forth in triumph; and thereafter
the man whose name is upon the card IL
expected TO be her sweetheart and to
marry her-if neither has any objection.
1t happened that on January 49, 1906, there
was a party of American tourists composed
Of Miss Mercer, her aunt, Mrs. Clara
Spence OF Maiden, Mass; Mrs. George r.
Burnley of Maiden and Miss Edna Burnley,
who decided to run up to Maradidi and
witness the strange ceremony.
By some peculiar twist of fate it hap
an artist possessed of wealth and most of
the other good things of this life also had
decided to leave his studio in Budapest
and run up to Maradidi for the express
purpose Of making a sketch, of the odd cere-
mony of fishing for husbands
The morning of January 10 the party OF
women from a. Massachusetts observed a
young, handsome, well dressed stranger at
a table across the little breakfast room of
the picturesque inn, and, without seeming
to be unduly observant, Watson saw a girl
of rare beauty, tall with light, wavy hair
and lustrous blue eyes, abrim with fun and
pleasurable excitement. There was no
chance for them to meet, but, as II after
wards developed, they each knew in a mo-
ment that the other party came from the
United States, and being in a far land,
among foreigners, they felt sort Of kin
| ship
Watson. much impressed by the winsome-
| ness Of one of the women of his country,
went to the market square shortly before
IL O'Clock and set up his apparatus, pre-
paratory to sketching the girls as they
/ hshed for lovers in the big bran pail that
already was in position in the most promi-
| nent part of the market place.
| While he was blocking out his sketch he
observed his fellow Americans entering the
square. fiuttcring with excitement and
laughter in enjoyment of the strange scene.
I They were near him, and as he bent over
| his work he could hear their laughter and
catch scraps Of their conversation. He
heard Miss Burley challenge Miss Mercer
to fish for a husband and he heard Miss
Mercer accept the challenge
The party stood watching the young men
| casting their cards into the tub. and, being
told that the girls would not begin fishing
until noon. they returned to the inn for
! lunch
Watson, sketching away. suddenly became
| filled with an idea. In a moment he had
deserted his easel and was in conference
with three or four of the young men, who
laughed loudly, smote their thighs, laughed
again, and then roared as he talked.
Then, evidently accepting his offers. they
hid certain coins in their trousers pockets
and, still shifting their thighs and laugh
ing. set to work.
An hour later the Massachusetts, party
returned from lunch and found the square
almost deserted. Watson still was sketch
ing away, but when the American women
appeared on the scene ne arose from his
seat deliberately walked to the tub and
cast card into 1t, then returned to his
easel.
II Is CHdIenBe Anlllt whispered mel
cousin. You don't dare accept It,"
Il do" said Miss Mercer, and without a
moments hesitation she walked forward
borrowed a spiked rod from a blond beauty
who laughed and wished her luck ap.
preached the tub and speared at the bot
tom.
The spike came up with a card transfixed
and, almost breathess with excitement
Miss Mercer removed It from the barb and
read; "Allen Carter Watson, New York
Much agitated, she hurried back to hel
relatives. and. after some resistance
, showed the card.
In her agitation she did not notice, moi
did her relatives, that the tub was dragged
, behind a pillar and another dragged int
its place into which the maidens Of thu
village were plunging their spears will
anxiety, laughter and mirth
An hour later, at the inn, Miss Merce
was approached by Watson.
Il have come TO claim my right TO wall
with YOU" he said. laughingly.
II cannot deny the right" she said ''
took a chance and suppose 1 must pay tn
forfeit"
So they walked together through the vii
: lage and Miss Mercer wondered at tn
, laughter and giggles OF the natives as the,
: passed. Before they returned to the I'M
they were friends and Watson was intro
: duced to the others of the party and tool
dinner with them.
Il have a confession 10 make" said Wat
son suddenly that evening as he sat witt
5 Miss Mercer in the parlor OF the Inn Il
Is confession and an apology. / bribe
the men to help me and filled the bottom
OF that tub with my cards-to make sure
4 would meet you"
Z II thought It was fate-at first" she said
- I'm sorry you cheated; perhaps I woul
: have speared you, even II you had not"
But-after all. she forgave him; and be
fore they parted in Budapest a week late
they were engaged-and Miss Mercer bough
her trousseau in Paris on the way home
Chicago Tribune.
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