Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-10-26
Renfed-Hi
Casf|ef0r0ne
KiSSAYear

since the early part of the Sixteenth
- Century and which has resisted three heges, no
longer has a stone standing
The Soviet excavators of sarnai Poland in late July
following scorcned earth orders dust the hoay
castle they been rebuilding into modern fortress
part of advance Stain Line Thiry-four shots from
eight-inch guns leveled the ancient castle.
centuries Castle Pryska has been one Of the most
famous OF arsocratc homes in Poland because It's annual
rental kiss This castle was built In 1929 by
Pryska soldier of fortune who had fought in
Italy Germany Africa and even In China against
the Western Barharans
Like Marco Polo of a somewhat earlier date Jonus
Pryska returnedfrom foreign travels rich in jewels
and experiences but unlike merchant Jonus
dictated book and almost missed being known to
history.
castle paying 1t with OF the jewels he had
brought back from Cathay The remaining gems he had
made a beautiful neck ace 22 inches long and an
nounced that would be his wedding gift to the girl ne
selected share his home with him.
Every the neighborhood Strove for
the triple necklace castle and heroic Jonus girl
of 49, daughter Of a neghborng but andless noble won
Legend that Jonus married her as much for her
rank youth and beauty. At rate they were
satisfied and their marriage success In 1884
further crowned by the birth OF son.
Jonus Jr.
Little Jonus grew msy lad and when his father
died in 1853 from too much good living the l9year-
old lord OF the castle and the thousands OF
acres of farm hundreds Of serfs that went with IT.
a time he lived quietly at Castle Pryska with ms
mother died the young lord left to see the
He visited first the court of Poland then France
parts of Germany. He returned in looa met pretty
17-year-oId Mrlslxa Luwensd and fell madly in love
with her
short father had suitable place 10 e
i'm fact they were lodging with peasant family when
Jonus met the girl He invited her father TO stay az
the castle for After few weeks Jonus offered
Marska the castle at annual rental OF Kiss per
wear. Marusla accepted and him draw up formal
papers assigning her the castle for PERIOD OF 81 years III
return for the annual kiss rental
Jonus was with the arrangement for ne was
confident long the pretty miss would be ms ana
he'd have his castle back and kisses every DAY but
Marska never accepted his proposal In fact she married
a friend of arrford But the contract neid
and did Jonus love.
Jonus married eventually and had two sons but ne
never stopped loving his When he died he wied
Marsa offspring for all time fourth OF the farms
he had inherited his father The castle ne provoeo
should remain the residence Maruskas family as long
as there in her line female descendant TO each
besow rental kiss on the cheek OF the eues' ~
descendant of his line.
The bargain continued in force until 177s when Jonus
house menfok and the estate went 10 gr one
married who re-assumng the ute OF ioaro
ra claimed the castle on grounds that the contract
had been broken courts awarded him his ancesua
homo hut Marskas line the Junbrses sued in their turn
and the case brought into Polish courts al eas
once each generation since the late 18th Century
Now between the destruction OF the castle ana u'e
capture Poland by the Nazs the maj usPosuo" Vi Ne
case is anyone's guess
In southern Bulgaria not from the recent Greek
border there which, 1852, has been in the
possession of family although owned by another
The original owner the farm its buildings and cattle
to his best descendants for 100 years in return
for piece Of the True Cross OF our saviour IN l'oE
second contract provided 200 year lease for second
bit OF the True bone of St Nicholas of Mra
Santa Claus to you.
For teaching him how TO read write and faithfully
serving as his secretary 33 years, Nchoo Granniz
wealthy Italian cloth merchant in 1874 wed his secretary
Bernardo d Rucc 17room villa and its attached estates
valued even then to $4,000 In modern purchasing
power. 49,. =. ,.I = -,
main villa Rcci for IA long as male descendant Oh the
"A Ricc family acted tutor and then as secretary
o the heir of of Grannz The contract unfor-
tnatey expired 1917 when both the 19yearold heir
andth 3S-year-Old
line were killed the Great War only IL days apart