The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-08-26
RUSSIAN MARRIAGE CONTRACT.
The Fathers Bound Their Children to
Wed Each Other.
From the New York Tribune.


A strange marriage contract was
brought to light yesterday in the city
court before Chief Justice Enrich, in the
suit of Samuel S Grunfarb against Salo-
mon Hansen of No. 217 Forsyth street, to
compel him to pay him $3.50 damages be-
cause Hausen's daughter would not
marry the complainant. Her name is
Esther Rachel Hansen. The contract
was made in Russia two years ago by the
fathers of Esther and the plaintiff. The
contract reads in part as follows:
By the aid of God. In good luck Let
1t grow and prosper like a verdant
garden, and let the good God flow his be-
neyolence. Let him sanctify this con-
nection so that he may say he found some
thing good He who by the beginning
heralds the end, shall confer glory and
consistency to these words of agreement,
and covenant which were said and bar
gained between the two parties which
are: On the one side, the learned and
eminent Mr.. Baruch Grunfarb, as repre-
sentative of his son, the groom. MIR.
Samuel Grunfarb, and on the other side
the learned and eminent Mr. Solomon
Hansen, as representatives, of his daughter
the praiseworthy maiden, the bride, Miss
Esther Rachel, who upon oral interroga-
tory answered yes.
First, the aforesaid groom, Mr.. Samuel,
>
nate hour, the bride, Miss Esther Rachel,
under a canopy according to the Mosaic
Hebrew rite. They shall not withhold or
conceal any money, one from the other,
but shall administer their property in
common. The aforesaid eminent Mr.
Baruch Grunfarb, as representative of
his son. the groom, has bound himself to
make presents to the bride. as is Gus
tomary among eminent people He has
TnFthnr 70
groom before marriage with clothing and
shoes for work, Sabbath and HOLIDAYS,
also with cushions and blankets The
learned and honorable Mr.. Solomon. as
representative of his daughter, the bride,
has bound himself 10 give a dowry to the
amount Of 5000 silver Tubles in cash. He
Das furthermore bound himself to provide
tne bride before the marriage with
dresses and shoes for work, Sabbath and
holidays, with cushions, blankets, a com
pletely furnished bed, linen, hoods and
wells, as is customary
The marriage shall take place in good
luck, and IN fortunate hour, on the 18th
day Of the month of Shebet, in the year
oo?l, at the expense of the father of the
pride, here in the city Of Kalisch, or be.
lore that time If both parties are willing.
Inc lees Tor the rabbi, cantor and sexton
also the cost Of the music and marriage
certlhcate, are TO be betrayed by both
parties equally The penal sum on the
part OF him who shall break the agree
ment TO the one who is willing to perform,
snail amount to half the dowry. The
penalty, however. shall not exonerate
MIN. The surety on the part Of the groom
snau be the learned and eminent
Menasche BENJAMIN, and surety on the
part of the bride shall be the learned and
eminent Abraham Henach Hansen.
Then follow the signatures of the two
fathers and two young people.
When Esther came to New York Samuel
followed and asked her TO keep the con-
tract out she declined. Hence his suit
against the father. He lost his business
IN Russia, he declares, by following Es-
ther to America The defendant asked
that the suit be dismissed Justice
Enrich took the papers.