Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 59, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 March 1908 — HUSBANDS AS PRIZES [ARTICLE]

HUSBANDS AS PRIZES

Arid Wives Are, Offered Too, for Advertising Purposes. TRICKS OF TRADESMEN •'_- m - • Berlin Merchant Issuod a Circular Promising to Bestow His Son as a Husband to the Spinster Who Collected the Moat Coupons Other Chances. A Berlin tradesman has lately Issued a circular promising to bestow a husband, in the person of his son, upon the spinster who shall, within a year’e space, collect the most coupons —one Of which is given with each purchase to the value of 5 marks. To the prize husband, as a wedding gift, he has promised to bestow a share In his business. This singular offer, tnough, of course, of rare occurrence in the commercial world, is not without precedent. *S|ome years since a Leeds firm of drapers circulated among its customers penny tokens, whereon was depleted a stylishly dressed man surrounded by the legend "A Husband for a Guinea,” signifying that suefh as expended that amount on the firm’s - goods Were allowed one chance In a raffle for an eligible young man, the Junior partner In the house. A circular which a now defunct tea company contributed among its lady canvassers contained the announcement that “the young lady who procures the best result compared with the amount of salary received, for not less than six months service, will receive £SOO, and be allowed to marry any single young gentleman In the firm. Should the young gentleman refuse to marry her, we will pay the breach of promise damages, £IOO extra, and dismiss the young gentleman from the firm.’’

In the early years of our . late Queen’s reign the proprietor of a library at one of the leading Kentish watering places issued the announcement of a lottery for a husband, who was guaranteed to be in the enjoyment of an annuity of not less than £2OO per annum. The event created quite a stir, as the prize was ,& handsome young fellow who appeared to he in every way eligible- Great, then, was the dismay created by the arrival, on the very day when the draw was advertised to take place, of a couple of London coptables, by whom the much admired Adonis was arrested on a charge of fraud. Every New Year’s Day a large Viennees firm of bootmakers was wont to offer a husband to the lady whose foot was considered to be the smallest ana most shapely of the year, guaranteeing at the same time to set the couple up in business should such help be needed. For over twenty years was this practice continued, until the head of the firm, an old widower, fell In love with and himself married the Clnderilla footed lady, who, being of an ultra jealous disposition, sternly vetoed the custom’s continuance. In the late ’Bo’s a Brussels tailor took a young man into his employ on the stipulation that he sbould be allowed to dispose of him in marriage. The agreement signed, the tailor made public announcement that he would bestow a husband unon that gpinatAr or widow who should bring most custom to his establishment within twelve months. After a keen competition tne prise was carried off by a buxom widow of 60, who besides introducing her eight sons to the clothier’s notice was the means of inducing over a score of brothers, cousins and nephews to patronize his shop. To all spinsters and widows a chance in the lotter yfor a husband was the Inducement held out by a New York photographer to have their photographs taken at his establishment, while to such ladies as were married and therefore ineligible it was permitted to nominate a friend in their stead. The circulars to this effect, which were distributed broadcast, were surmounted with a likeness of the prospective prize, a man of suen attractive appearance that many matrimonially inclined women were Induced to try their luck before the camera. After some months, during which trade prospered exceedingly, the draw took place, and the good looking young man was duly delivered over to a lady who, It subsequently transpired. was the photographer’s own daughter, whose father had persuaded her to exploit, for the good of his business, her fiance of some three years standing. The cunning trio soon afterward left New York.—TltBita. V