Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1905 — TO FIND HUSBANDS. [ARTICLE]

TO FIND HUSBANDS.

Some Qu ill nt Cuitomi of tbe Young Women of Raaaia. Russian girls frequently amuse themselves by attempting to discovei what sort of husbands will eventually lead them to the altar. A favorite manner of doing this Is by so called divination. The girl who is tired of a single life sits in the mystic hours of the night between two large mirrors. On each side she places a candle and then eagerly watches until she can sec twelve reflected lights. If the fates are propitious she ought also to discern the husband she desires portrayed in the glass before her. Another method of divination is to have supper laid for two. If tbe young lady is in luck the apparition of the future husband will come and sit down beside her, but in order to secure success the girt must not divulge to any one her Intention of thus attempting to dive into futurity. There is a story told to the effect that the daughter of a rich farmer was in love with a young lieutenant, and lie, suspecting that she would probably have supper laid for two, climbed the wall of the garden and, sitting down by her side, partook of tbe prepared banquet, the girl being under the Impression that it was his apparition and not the real slmon pure. On leaving the room the officer forgot his sword, which he had unbuckled before he sat down to supper. The girl, finding the weapon after his departure, hid it in the cupboard as a memento of the visitor. Eventually she married another suitor, and he, fancying that there was some rival who supplanted him in his wife’s affection and one day discovering the sword, was confirmed in his suspicions and killed her in a fit of passion. Sometimes the inquisitive husband seeker will take a candle, and, melting the wax, pour it on the snow, after which she strives to discern in the hardened substance the likeness of him she seeks. A very favorite amusement when several girls are congregated under the same roof is to divine by the aid of a cock. Each g|rl, taking some corn, makes a small heap on the floor and there conceals a ring. The chanticleer is then introduced and is let loose beside the corn. Presently he begins to peck at the heaps of grain. At last one of the rings is exposed to view, when its owner, according to the popular belief, will outstrip her companions In the race for matrimony.—Cassell’s Journal.