The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-19
CHARGES HANDSOME FEES FOR
SECURING BRIDES FOR SEP
TUAGENARIAN ROMhOS.
MOSES RYDER AND HIS SUI
FOR THE HAND OF THE WIDOW
OF HIS DECEASED
BROTHER
ARE FOLLOWED NOW BY A SUIT
Of an Entirely Different Nature, I'm
Which Robert Cotton Ia the
Plaintiff.

Now 1t came to pass that there dweit
in the Sanity City, beside the Father
Of Waters, a man Of the tribe Of Israel.
by name Moses Ryder. And Moses, who
was three score and two years old,
worked as furrier for Gordon, Fergu
son & Co. Peace reigned in his house
hold, and he was respected of his
brethren. Likewise with Moses in the
SANITY City there dwelt Jacob Ryder,
his elder brother, who, by thrift and
industry, had garnered much of this
worlds goods, so that he and his wife,
Mary, owned their own home at Viola
and Rice streets. Other wealth had
they also, but they were childless In
their old age. Then it came to pass
about three years ago that Jacobs eyes
grew dim, his strength waned and he
died And the house Of Ryder
mOurned
Two years made the patriarchal
beard of Moses Ryder, the surviving
brother, whittier. and likewise his wife
entered upon her long sleep. Then was
Moses lonely like unto his brother s
widow. And this spirit grew upon him
passed, when he again longed for a
wife. Being full Of years, Moses cast
not his eyes upon the young maidens
of his race, but looked with favor upon
his brothers widow. And Moses was
wise in his generation, for the widow
of his brother had plenteous shekeIs
even, it was said, $4,000.
Now there was certain law among
the people of Ryder's race, that when
man died without posterity his pext
eldest brother should take his widow
to wife. And Moses meditated upon
the law, and was cheered in his heart
And it came to pass that Moses Ryder
and Mary, his brothers widow, plight
ed their troth after the manner Of their
people. Likewise, according to Gus
tom, they betook themselves, with
three witnesses, before Jacob LebroW-
ski, a man with certain priestly func-
tons, where they were made one flesh.
Then, being many days journey from
the land Of their fathers, and in ac-
cOrdance with the custom of their
adopted country, they some days later
sought Judge Orr, a worthy magistrate
of the city wherein they dwelt, by
whom a civil marriage ceremony was
performed. And Moses Ryder was sew
enty-two years old, while his wife
counted her years three score and ten
Then came joy again to the house Of
Ryder
But now came one Robert Cotton, a
/ fellow tribesman of Moses, and laid
claim upon the newly made husband
saying that he had procured Mary
the wife of his brother Jacob, for him
to wed and demanded $50 as per an
alleged agreement between him and
Moses. But Moses knew him not, nor
could he quite hear the demand for
| tribute, though, according to Cotton
Moses paid him 81 on account. Much
supplicatiOn, it is said failed to fur
Their accrue to the benefit of Cotton
who smote his breast in rage and
finally sought James COrTnican, an adj
Tocate Of renown, before whom he laid
his alleged grievance. And Cormican
and Cotton took counsel together, how
they might collect the remaining SAG
which Cotton claimed to be due him
for procuring Moses Ryder his
brothers widow to wife. Then went
Advocate Cormican into the court Of
Justice Johnson and began suit against
Moses Ryder for alleged breach of
contract. And on Saturday, the last
day of the week just passed, the hear
| ing OF the matter was continued yet
another week, Advocate Otto Keifner
! appearing to defend Ryder against
| Cotton's alleged grievance.
Mr.. Ryder was seen by a reporter for
| the u o e and denied knowing any
| such person as Robert Cotton or that
| he had conducted his courtship with
| Mrs. Ryder. He and the former wife
of his deceased brother had been mar
| ried, he said. first by Mr.. Lebrowski,
according to the Jewish rites, and sub
sequently Judge Orr had performed q
| civil marriage ceremony.
Those protesting to be conversant
| with the facts in connection with the
marriage of the aged couple say that
| Cotton suggested in joke some
months ago, while Moses Ryder was
seeking employment, that the best
| thing he could do would be to marry
| his sister-in-law and that when this
| end finally came about Cotton claimed
to have accomplished it, If he exerted
| his good offices on behalf of Mr.. Ry-
| der with the widow it is said by
| friends Of the old man that it was
without his knowledge and that there
fore Cotton has 10 financial claim upon
| him.