Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1912-04-11
A Bride Prize
BY IVAN TROGLOF
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.

III SAoSiOA. 1911. III
A young man. evidently a traveller
was driven up to an inn in Smolensk
Russia. stepped out Of the sleigh that
bore him and went inside. After en-.
gaging a Of the landlord he threw
off his long overcoat lined with fur,
went to a fire Of blazing logs and
warmed his hands. then. turning his
eye, was caught by a notice tackled on
the wall. 1t read:
The fourth drawing for the year of the
matrimonial lottery will take place at the
town hall tomorrow evening, Nov. II. at 9
o'clock.
The stranger turned to the landlord
and asked for an explanation Of the
strange notice.
I'm this place. said the landlord.
-four times u year we have a lottery.
One of u girls is put up as a prize.
Five thousand tickets are sold at a
ruble a ticket. The holder Of the win
ming ticket is bound to marry the girl,
SAS AAOACy SCI LIZ uo uCl w LIZ
however. she will not have him they
may divide the money between them.
In case the man who wins is already
married he may turn owe the prize to
any friend he may select"
us not this a singular customY"
THAT may be, but it is a very good
one. We have in Smolensk every year
a new lot Of girls that have come to a
manageable age who are without
dowries. The lottery provides for four
Of them"
"And who is the prize for the present
drawing"
"Sonia Orloff."
The stranger started.
do you know the girl?" asked the
landlord.
eyes. No. The name is familiar to
me. But there are others of this name.
How should 1 know her, l being a
stranger in Smolensk?"
"She has not always lived here"
care the chances all taken?"
II have heard that not half have
been disposed of. The girl is not well
known. She keeps aloof and is known
to be averse to taking a husband in
this way. But n of our philanthropic
citizens will pay for all chances not
taken just before the drawing"
The next evening the town hall was
crowded with those who had come to
see the drawing. The prize was present,
a girl with the fair hair and eyes Of a
Russian. She looked sad-indeed, more
like one to be sacrificed than to be
made a bride. Before the drawing
the philanthropic citizen the landlord
had spoken of asked how many chances
remained unsold that he might pay for
them. He and those about him were
surprised at being informed that all
tickets had been sold. This they con-
sidered remarkable since the day be-
fore not over 1000 had been taken.
A great deal of time was taken up
preparing for the drawing. Tickets
had been made bearing the names OF
the 1900 who had subscribed. but since
noon of the day of the drawing $500
more must be made to complete the
5000. A dozen persons were engaged
in an anteroom making tickets while
those in the hall waited. The latter
spent the time chatting and strollino
back and forth before the prize. ogling
her. On her face was the m%elanchol!
Of those deformed persons whose de-
formities are exhibited in museums
This set the spectators wondering. 70"
at these drawings the prize girl usually
looked proud and happy.
1t was quite late when the door OF
the anteroom was opened and IL bas
ket full of bits of paper. on which
were written names Of those who had
subscribed for chances. was brough'
in. The contents of the basket were
emptied into u huge wheel. which was
revolved. and when it stopped ii lid
was opened and the master of cere-
monies. blindfolded. put in his hand
and drew forth a name. There was II
breathless silence till the announce
ment. Then he announced:
paul Zabieski!"
All eyes were turned upon Sonia Or
loft to observe the effect the name
would have upon her. She was sir
ting where she could readily be seen.
Up to the speaking of the name of the
man who had won her she seemed in,
different, but the moment the words
rang out in the hall a change came
over her. She started. 4. look of sur
prise came into her eyes. A rose tint
started in each cheek and spread itself
all over her face A light came into
her eye. But most noticeable of all
was q look Of wonder.
The wonder was reflected in the
faces of those who looked upon hers.
What did this change in her mean?
Who was this Paul Zabieski? No Il
present seemed to know him.
From the outside Of those surround