Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 April 1899 — A Curious English Custom. [ARTICLE]

A Curious English Custom.

Ah interesting custom was observed recently at Guildford, England, on the occasion of the distribution of a mun'eipal charity familiarly known as the Maids’ Money. The event caused considerable Interest by reason of the selected candidates having to decide who should receive the gift by casting lots. The gift was made in the seventeenth century, aud it was stipulated that a sum of money should be Invested In consols calculated to produce the sum of twelve pounds and twelve shillings net for a maidservant who should have lived for two years or upward In one service in the old borough of Guildford, and who “should throw the highest number with two dice or cast lots with another maidservant.” It Is farther explained that tbe unsuccessful maid is permitted to try three subsequent times for the gift, providing she remains an Inhabitant of the town and does not marry. This year no less than ten names were submitted to the trustees for selection. The successful two were Louisa Remnant, a servant In the employ of Matthew Kleiser, of North street, Guildford, for the past ten and -a half years, and Barah Ann Frogley, jin the employ of Richard Sporkes for 'fifteen years. As soon as the trustees had taken their seats the two candidates were sent for to compete for the gift A cup and two dice were handed to them and these they threw on the table. The young woman Fjogley succeeded In scoring eight, while her rival secured five. The gift was thereupon handed to Frogley.