The Topeka state journal., 1913-05-29
new WAYS To WIN WIVES.
Cupid Uses Many Strange Methods of
Leading Victims to Altar.

A thousand ways lead to the altar,
and many of them are at least as
strange and unconventional as that
by which a bride was recently won as
the prize of victory in a cross-country
race by a brace of rival cowboys on
bronchos. In certain parts of Wales,
it is said, the old-world custom of
marriage by capture still survives,
and before a man can lead a maid
to the altar he must race in hot pur-
suit of the father or brother, who
seeks to carry her off on horseback
and rescue her for a more agreeable
fate.
But wives have been won by con-
tests more novel than these. Only last
year, it is said, a pretty Scotch dam
sci looked on at Bisley while the two
aspirants to her hand scored buIis-
eyes and magpieS in stern and silent
rivalry for the final scores were to
determine who should be her happy
possessor. Last year, too, II we are
to believe the newspapers, very
charming young lady in society award
ed her hand to the one of four suitors
who took the first place in billiard
three recorded cases in which matri-
monial destiny has been determined
over the chessboard-
Even more singular was the method
tan called Tesino, who offered his
name and fortune to the lady who
could best cook macaroni to suit his
eXacting palate. No fewer than 12O
ladies' we are told, entered with zest
into the contest for so tempting a
prize, with the result that a few weeks
later the successful macaroni expert
was led to the altar by the delighted
the gratifying form of $4,000.
short time ago the hearts of
Wall street brokers were fluttered by
the appearance among them of an
attractive young lady, "a handsome
blonde, with. blue eyes and an exceed
ingly graceful figure She carried a
valise containing a number of tick
cts which bore the legend, For the
purpose of assisting the completion of
the musical education of Miss Ed
wilma, I agree to pay the sum of $40.
If this number proves to be the lucky
one in a rattle matrimony may be
considered. Within a short time ev-
cry ticket of this novel lottery was
disposed of. Miss Edwina carried off
more gold than was necessary for the
training of her rich soprano voice"
but whether she secured a husband
with her harvest history is silent.
While Miss Edwnia was thus bar
tering her charms for the sake of her
lady of Washington. was boldly ad-
vertfsing herself for sale as "a slave
for life to the highest bidder, Civ
ing tempting catalogue of her per
fections. from her "gray-green eyes,
full passionate lips, splendid teeth
and graceful figure to her love of
poetry. her truthfulness, honesty and
essential womanliness
Il represent" she says, AN outlay
of $4,000. which my late father
spent on my education and training,
in return for which, in addition to
constant soul-destroying labor as
week. am curious to ascertain
upon an American slave girl by the
slave masters
Even more remarlla BILE was the Of
fer of a husband as a prize to lady
canvassers made by an enterprising
! tea company. THE young lady" this
| amazing offer ran, who produces the
/ best results compared with the
amount of salary received, for not
/ less than six months service, will re-
ceive s2.500 and will be allowed to
marry any single young gentleman
| in the firm. Should he refuse TO
marry her we will pay her breach
of promise damages, $500 extra, and
dismiss the young gentleman from the
| firm"
| Wives have been won more than
once by the toss of a coin. but never
under more dramatic conditions than
the following: Two Genoa woodcarv-
ers, who were rival suitors for the
| ed to leave their fate to the decision
of a coin spun in the air When the
fateful coin fell and Signor Nizza saw