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Show LEAF BAB PROPOSALS. Some one. has asked what was the origin of women proposing marriage din ing leap year. The answer may not be new to all but it will probably interest inter-est many. In the year 1288 a statute was published by the Scotch parliament, parlia-ment, of whic h the following is a copy, and is the origin of the custom or idea: "It is ordaint that during the reign of Her Maist Blessll Majestie Maroarft, like maiden of baith ' h and low estate es-tate shall hae liberty to speak to the man she likes. Gif he refuses to take her to be hi wyf, he shale be mulct in the sum of ane hundredity poundis or less, as his cstait may bee, except and alwais gif he can make it appear that he is betrothit to another woman, then he shall be free." After the dear old Margaret had passed away, the women became clamorous clam-orous for their privileges, and to appease ap-pease them, another act of parliament allowed them the privilege every fourth year. |