Evening journal., 1888-12-07
A PECULIAR AFFAIR.

Forced Marriage Of Rev. MIR. Aud. Of
New York, to Parishioner--A DIys-
terious Contract.
NEW York, Dec IA peculiar sensation,
which has the elements Of mystery 20 mako
1t Interesting, is Just now attracting the nt-
tention Of Of church circles in this city and
vicinity.
A day or two before Thanksgiving, Mrs
Emmn Helen Christie visited the rector Of
the Church Of the Holy Faith, Rev Victor
G. Smith, and asked him to marry her on
the following Wednesday to Rev. Harry
Aud, rector of St Mnry's Protestant Epis-
copal church
She showed him contract dated March
4, 1887, which set forth that Harry Aud
and Emma Helen Christie solemnly vow and
covenant together in holy matrimony.n II
was witnessed by A. J. Thompson, who, Mr..
Smith knew, had been assistant rector Of st.
Pauls Episcopal church, but had snce
moved to Providence. Tho young woman
CLAIMED that by this contract she was al.
ready hlr Aulds wife, but She wanted TO ho
married over agnin She said that she aud
Mr.. Aud had gone TO Mr. Thompson on tho
dnte OF the contract, and that he had refused
70 marry them because Il was Lent, but had
readily witnessed the agreement which She
herself had drawn up on the spot
Mrs, Christie's request was supplemented
later by letter from Rev MIR. Aud, asking
the Rev. Smith, who is an old friend OF his,
70 set aside Wednesday evening "to marry q
couple, not intimating who the contracting
parties were
Meanwhile Rev Mr. Auld rendered his
resignation b the vestry 81 ST Mnrys for
purely personal reasons % which he did not
care g disclose. His resignation was re-
ceived with astonishment, but was accepted.
AT the appointed time Rev. Mr. Auld,
with two friends, appeared at Rev Mr.
Smiths house, and were soon followed hy
Mrs. Christie, her mother and n gentleman.
In ths presence Of these the ceremony was
performed under the most peculiar circum-
stances. Mr.. Aud was greatly agitated and
Mrs. Christie showed evidence Of rage and a
determination TO carry out her scheme Mr.
Aud produced no ring, gave his answers in
a gingerly way. and IN response 10 that, 'sDo
you take this woman for your welded wife,n
be replied, II take her for my legal wife,
He further said: "This woman has forced
me 10 resign my pnstorate. She has ruined
my life. She has brought me here, and
feel obliged 70 marry her though / DO not
wife or live with her | am beggar ana
cannot support herr
Immediately after the ceremony Mr.. Aud
donned his overcoat and departed IN com
pany with his two friends
There is the greatest curiosity as TO what
constitutes Mrs Christie's hold on the rever.
end gentleman and how the contract of
March 4 came 20 he made. Both deny that
any improper relations have existed and
Mr. Aud has never been known TO call ON
Mrs. Christie, although she has been seen go
ing 70 his house on several Sccasions but
nothing was thought of this, as she was a
member Of his congregation
Mr.. Aud is the sole support of his mother.
and by his resignation has left himself posi-
tionless and pcnniless. His wife now threatens
90 sue for support, and if she does so il is
said some surprising revelations will be
made An unsuccessful effort 70 reinstats
Rev. Mr. Aud has been made He reporied
his case TO Bishop Potter, and has acted In
accordance with the latters recommenda-
tions m the marriage affair, and has received
official recommendation for SO doing.
The woman says she does not love the man
she forced 10 marry her. She says she hates
him, and her action in now seeking diyorce
and thereby making the subject one of
notoriety is done for revenge. He remains
quiet. He hns been urged by his nearest
kindred and friends 70 meet the affair brnvely
and ''let the cat out OF the lag, but their
efforts haye been useless
Mrs. Christie stated that the marriage CON
tract WINS drawn Up by Judge Andrew j.
Rogers A reporter called on him for con
firmation.
81 had nothing to do with it, ? he said 81
was never more surprised ia my life when
Airs. Christie came 10 me for legal advice for
the purpose of bringing an action against Mir.
Aud for divorce. She then showed me that
paper, which she was clever enough TO have
drawn up, and which legally made Aud her
husband She showed me also a letter written
by Aud 70 her, in which he begged her TO
take pity on him and not ruin him
"His letter 70 her was one of the most
touching that a man could write toa woman.
felt sorry f9r him. | asked her what her
motive was in prosecuting the man. She
would not answer me, only replying, with a
sardonic smile. 4 hate him, and shall never
forget II. / want TO punish him
'She said they had never been to see each
other as man and wife. After she had finished
telling me her story l declined to have any
thing TO do with her case, and any lawyer
who would take up the case for her l would
have no respect fOrn