Vintage truth is stranger than fiction!

That's right - in 1911, a foundling hospital in Paris actually held a

raffle to find homes for abandoned babies as well as to raise money.

In the January, 1912, issue of  Popular Mechanics it was reported that

an overcrowded Parisian orphanage (with the consent of 'the authorities')

had raffled off abandoned babies the previous year.  The fund raiser was

quite successful and the proceeds were divided among several charitable

institutions.  The magazine assured readers that "An investigation of the

winners was held, of course, to determine their desirability."

As creepy as the scheme seems, it really should be taken in context of

the time.  Every year thousands of babies were abandoned - often just

left on the street or set in front of a church - and foundling homes were

bursting at the seams.  The lottery also brought attention to the plight of

orphans and abandoned infants.  As successful as the Loterie de Bebes

was, there are no records of any subsequent raffles.

"Mere, avez-vous me trouvez dans une feuille de chou ou avez la cigogne me deposer?"

"Non, cher, votre pere a achete un billet de tombola sur le marche."

"Mother, did you find me under a cabbage leaf or did a stork drop me off?"

"No, dear.  Your father bought a raffle ticket at the market on the way home from work."