The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-08-07
MARRIED SIGHT UNSEEN
Young Man Kidnapped and Forced
Wed an Old Woman.

This is the story Of the marriage OF
street. as he tells il. 1t deals with a
worthy young merchant, who was, ne
says. kidnapped by two armed bravos,
dragged to a dark room. and there mar
ter the rabb. spoke the fateful words
that made Jacob her lcrd and master,
revealed the face. not OF Rosie. the idol
Of his dreams. but of woman who had
seen almost six decades Of life.
jacob Fishbein, on Christmas eve,
1895, dressed himself in holiday attire 10
mix with the jewellers at American Star
Hall. Then he met Rosie Steinlitz, who
was young and good to look upon. He
chose her as his partner in the may
waltz. AS they glided over the smooth
floor. an East Side Johann Strauss
played Sweet Rose Of My Life"
jacobs eyes beamed on Rosie and SEEM
ed to say, That's you
Jacob saw Rosie several times after
that At each meeting she seemed more
fair, and his mind was occupied with
dreams of a little home with this sweet
little woman presiding n it. But he
was prudent, and he said to himself, 81
am too young; 1 am not wealthy; 1
must wait"
Jacob Fishbeip was in Grand street
busy East Side artery was filled with a
merry, Jo1,ling New Years throng. Sud-
denly two lusty swashbucklers seized
the young merchant-one a tall, dark
man, with deep set. fiery eyes; the other
short, stout and muscular.
I'VE congratulate you upon your ap-
marriage to cur sister Rose,
jacob" said the tall man, in a sepul-
cnral voice. The short man nodded ac-
quiescence.
II do not know you, gentlemen" replied
the astonished Jacob, "and, besides. 1 ain
not going to marry the young woman just
yet"
"Oh, yes. you are" said the tall man. He
locked at his companion. Both men threw
open their coats, and Jacob saw two big
revolvers, such as pla,nsmen wear, one in
each mans belt
These will do the work for you II you
do not marry our sister on the night OF
T. Remember, you will be in the
care Of an undertaken if you fail u.s.
Thus spoke the short man, according TO
Jacob. Again the coats were thrown open, !
once more the revolvers cleaned, and then. |
with a curt Good night the swashbuck- |
ers were swallowed up in the hurrying |
crowds
Thoroughly frightened, Jacob determined |
I'D fight. He was making his way for a |
Third Avenue IT, train on the morning |
If January 4. when just as he started 10
ascend the stairs the two swashbucklers
stood before him as II materialized from the
lir.
The two coats were thrown open as be-
ore, the revolvers gl,ttered in the sunlight,
nd, Jacob AYERS, the tall man said: Come
With US and keep your word or we VIII kill
-ou."
Life Is sweet at Is. Rosie was fair in
Jacobs eyes, and It's better 10 be married
han dead. So Fishbein fell in between
he strangers. They led him through
many streets and into many saloons, and
ne young merchants head was swimming
vhen they halted him before house in
arrow thoroughfsre.
Come" said the tall man, follow me-"
Up several fights OF stairs they climbed
! silence. Then the tall man knocked
pom door. To challenge from within
e uttered some strange word. key
as turned, bolt was pulled back and hte
lree men were in dark room, lit only
y a small taper.
Fishbein says he saw before him the fig
re OF woman, her face heavily veiled- a
enerable rabbi stood by book in hand. !
cant time was lost in formal.t;e.
Let the wedding go on" said the tai
ian. and the short man echoed the COM
lani.
JACOBS knees tremblei as the old rabb.
.ad the marriage service. At last K came
an end. Finhbe.n was benedict
The tall man lighted a lamp
Now. kiss your BRIDE he sad
The woman lifted her vel. ard. Jacob
rers. she was a stranger, at least twice
5 age. and with out a trace beauty. He
ys he thought OF the swashbucklers' pls-
Is. and resolved 20 De cunning. So u
,ceptei his unknown bride. apparently II
jod faith. but when the armed men and
e rabbi left. he says. he. too. fed and
IS lot Lived with her from tha; Gay 70